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Tuscaloosa Regional weather delay: When Alabama vs. Virginia Tech will start

On3 imageby: Dan Morrison05/18/25dan_morrison96
Softball weather delay
Softball weather delay - © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Alabama Crimson Tide and Virginia Tech Hokies were just about ready to get going from the Tuscaloosa Regional. That’s when there was a lightning strike, sending the game into a delay.

The lightning strike was within eight miles of the stadium. That means that the game needs to be delayed for 30 minutes. With each subsequent lightning strike within an eight mile radius of the stadium, the delay is going to be extended for another 30 minutes.

With the initial start time for the game between Alabama and Virginia Tech scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST, the start time was moved back by half an hour due to the lightning. It will continue to be delayed further. So, as of now, it isn’t clear when the game is going to be able to begin. There have been no further updates given since the initial delay was announced.

The Tuscaloosa Regional is set to be decided today. Alabama can advance with a win. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, already suffered a loss in the Regional. So, they’ll need to beat the Crimson Tide twice today to avoid getting eliminated. That second game, if necessary, will now also presumably be delayed due to the weather as well.

Alabama beat Virginia Tech on Saturday by a score of 4-3. That game was highlighted by a home run off the bat of Kali Heivilin that gave the Crimson Tide a 3-2 lead at the time. The Hokies threatened in the seventh inning, but Alabama was able to hold on to put themselves in the position to win the Tuscaloosa Regional.

Alabama is coming off a season where they’ve gone 39-21 to this point. That includes a 12-12 record in SEC play. They were able to win one game in the SEC Tournament before falling to South Carolina.

For Virginia Tech’s part, the Hokies are 43-12 overall and 18-6 in ACC play this season. That includes a 16-2 record at neutral sites and a 14-7 record in road environments. They, like the Crimson Tide, won one game in their conference tournament before losing. In Virginia Tech’s case, the loss came to Clemson.

The Hokies are expected to put senior Emma Lemley in the circle to start the game against Alabama. She has an 18-7 record and a 2.63 ERA this season. The Crimson Tide, on the other hand, have not announced who their starting pitcher is going to be.