2025 Hattiesburg Regional: May 30 Game Recap

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The opening day of the 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament’s Hattiesburg Regional delivered drama, upsets, and standout performances. Host Southern Miss and SEC contender Alabama both suffered losses, shaking up the bracket and setting the stage for an unpredictable weekend. Here’s a detailed recap of both May 30 games.

Game 1: Miami (3) vs. Alabama (2) — Miami 5, Alabama 3

The Hattiesburg Regional kicked off with a tightly contested matchup between the Miami Hurricanes and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Miami, a program with a storied postseason history, wasted no time asserting itself against the higher-seeded Crimson Tide.

Early Offense from Miami:
Miami’s Daniel Cuvet, one of the nation’s hottest hitters in recent weeks, set the tone in the first inning. He launched a three-run home run to right-center, giving the Hurricanes an early 3-0 advantage1. Romy Gonzalez added to the lead in the third with an RBI, pushing the score to 4-01.
Alabama’s Comeback Attempt:
The Crimson Tide, who entered the tournament with 41 wins, did not go quietly. They chipped away at the Miami lead, narrowing the deficit to 4-3 by the late innings. Veteran Kade Snell nearly delivered a walk-off three-run homer, but his deep fly was caught at the warning track, denying Alabama a dramatic comeback1.
Pitching and Key Moments:
Miami freshman AJ Ciscar was pivotal, striking out eight over seven innings while allowing just three runs1. Brian Walters closed the door with a scoreless ninth, preserving the win for the Hurricanes1.

Summary:
Miami’s early power and clutch pitching proved just enough to hold off Alabama’s late surge, sending the Hurricanes to the winner’s bracket and pushing Alabama into an elimination game1 3.

Game 2: Southern Miss (1) vs. Columbia (4) — Columbia 11, Southern Miss 4

The nightcap featured one of the most surprising results of the entire NCAA Tournament’s opening day. Columbia, fresh off an Ivy League championship, stunned the host and top-seeded Southern Miss Golden Eagles in emphatic fashion.

Columbia’s Offensive Outburst:
The Lions never trailed, scoring early and often. Anton Lazits drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly in the opening frame and added another RBI groundout in the third1. Columbia’s offense exploded in the fourth with a four-run inning, giving them a comfortable cushion1.
Southern Miss Struggles:
Southern Miss, who had come into the regional with an 18-game win streak before a loss in the Sun Belt championship, could not keep pace. Starting pitcher Matthew Adams allowed four runs before being pulled in the third inning2. Reliever Kros Sivley surrendered seven more runs, including two home runs, as Columbia’s hitters racked up 16 hits and reached base 19 times2.
Key Performers:
Owen Estabrook (3-for-4, home run) and Anton Lazits (1-for-4, home run) each drove in three runs for Columbia1. On the mound, Alex Sotriopoulos delivered 3.2 strong innings in relief, striking out four1.
Southern Miss Offense:
The Golden Eagles’ four runs came in unconventional fashion: an RBI fielder’s choice, a run scored on a wild pitch, a bases-loaded walk, and a fielding error2. Catcher Tucker Stockman was the lone bright spot, reaching base three times with a double and two walks2.

Summary:
Columbia’s 11-4 victory was the most emphatic upset by a No. 4 seed on opening day, putting Southern Miss on the brink of elimination and sending shockwaves through the regional1 2.

Standings After Day One

Team	Record	Next Game
Columbia (4)	1-0	Winner’s Bracket
Miami (3)	1-0	Winner’s Bracket
Alabama (2)	0-1	Elimination Game
Southern Miss (1)	0-1	Elimination Game

Key Storylines

Columbia’s Statement Win:
The Lions’ 16-hit barrage and 11-run outburst marked one of the most dominant performances by a No. 4 seed in recent regional memory1 2. Their pitching and timely hitting overwhelmed the host team and set up a compelling path forward.
Southern Miss in Trouble:
The Golden Eagles, who had been one of the hottest teams in the country, now face the pressure of an elimination game after back-to-back losses for the first time in months2.
Miami’s Resilience:
With a blend of early power and clutch pitching, Miami held off a late Alabama rally, leveraging their postseason experience to advance1 3.
Alabama’s Missed Opportunities:
The Crimson Tide left key runners on base and fell just short of a dramatic comeback, putting them in a must-win situation for the remainder of the weekend1 3.

Looking Ahead

Day two of the Hattiesburg Regional will see Columbia and Miami square off in the winner’s bracket, while Southern Miss and Alabama battle for survival in the elimination game. The pressure is on for the host Golden Eagles and the SEC’s Crimson Tide, both of whom must win to keep their seasons alive.

The opening day’s results have already upended expectations, and the Hattiesburg Regional promises more drama as teams fight for a coveted spot in the Super Regionals.

Disclaimer:
This article was curated and written with the assistance of artificial intelligence, which helped compile, analyze, and summarize data from reputable sources covering the 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament Hattiesburg Regional.

Standings After Day One

Key Storylines

Looking Ahead

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