Alabama Sweeps Auburn For First Time Since 2017

The Crimson Tide took down the No. 5 Tigers in a three-game series.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:54pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a college baseball game between Alabama and Auburn, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in crimson, navy blue, and orange.Alabama's series sweep of rival Auburn underscores the Crimson Tide's emergence as a national contender in college baseball.Tuscaloosa Today

Alabama baseball defeated Auburn 3-1 on Sunday to complete a series sweep, the first time the Crimson Tide has accomplished that feat against the Tigers since 2017. Alabama's pitching staff held Auburn to just four runs over the three-game weekend, with freshman right-hander Myles Upchurch delivering a strong 4.1-inning start and the bullpen shutting down the Tigers' offense.

Why it matters

The series sweep over a top-5 ranked opponent is a significant accomplishment for Alabama, which has now won seven straight games and will likely be ranked in the top 25 when the new polls are released. This performance cements the Crimson Tide as a national contender in college baseball this season.

The details

Alabama struck first in Sunday's game, with Justin Lebron driving in a run with an RBI single in the third inning to tie the game at 1-1. The score remained deadlocked until the eighth inning, when Lebron reached base, stole second, and then scored on an errant throw to give Alabama a 2-1 lead. Will Plattner added an insurance run with an RBI single, and closer Hagan Banks shut down Auburn in the ninth to secure the sweep.

  • Alabama and Auburn played the three-game series from March 27-29, 2026.
  • Alabama last swept Auburn in a series in 2017.

The players

Rob Vaughn

The head coach of the Alabama baseball team.

Myles Upchurch

A freshman right-handed pitcher for Alabama who made the longest start of his career against a power conference opponent in Sunday's game.

Justin Lebron

An Alabama player who drove in the tying run with an RBI single in the third inning and then scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.

Will Plattner

The captain of the Alabama baseball team who provided insurance with an RBI single in the eighth inning.

Hagan Banks

Alabama's closer who shut down Auburn in the ninth inning to secure the series sweep.

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What they’re saying

“Awesome way to finish the weekend. Not the prettiest game of all time... but so proud of the effort, proud of the guys, and just we've just got to keep plugging.”

— Rob Vaughn, Head Coach

“He's just a competitor. And he hasn't had his really A-plus stuff in a couple of weeks. But when it starts getting messy, can you stop it? And he did that today.”

— Rob Vaughn, Head Coach

“Platt had been all over the barrel this weekend. Very fitting for him to get that big two-out hit there to give us a little bit of insurance... You feel a heck of a lot better going into that (ninth inning) with a two-run lead. So huge swing by our captain right there, just a cool way to finish a weekend.”

— Rob Vaughn, Head Coach

What’s next

Alabama will undoubtedly be ranked in the top 25 when the new college baseball polls are released on Monday, and the team will likely be discussed as a national contender going forward.

The takeaway

This series sweep over a top-5 ranked Auburn team is a major statement win for Alabama, showcasing the Crimson Tide's ability to compete with the best teams in college baseball. The strong pitching performance and timely hitting from players like Justin Lebron and Will Plattner demonstrate Alabama's well-rounded roster and potential to make a deep postseason run.