TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Alabama softball team will compete in a super regional for an NCAA-record 18th time beginning Friday against a very familiar opponent.

The Crimson Tide, who knocked off USC Upstate and Southeastern at their own regional last week, take on SEC rival and third-ranked Tennessee in a best-of-three series for a spot at the College Softball World Series.

All the games will take place in Knoxville, Tenn. with the opener airing live on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. Iowa time.

The Alabama (36-17 overall) lineup features former Humboldt all-stater Kendal Clark, a junior, is hitting .253 with three home runs and 14 RBI on the year.

After clipping USC Upstate, 1-0, the 18th-ranked Tide topped Southeastern, 6-3 in nine innings, and scored a second straight win over Southeastern, 12-2 in five. Clark had a hit in the win over USC Upstate.

Alabama went 1-2 vs. Tennessee this season with Clark recording two hits in two games vs. the Vols. The Crimson Tide won the most recent meeting, 1-0, back on April 28.

Prior to arriving on campus, Clark was a first team NJCAA All-American for DMACC, hitting 27 homers with 20 doubles while batting .559. She had an 18-game hit streak during the 2022 season.