Scarbinsky: Alabama baseball would be better off with one less fan
Some Alabama fans coped and others seethed. One alleged Tide fan took it too far.
Olivia Bennett 
This is an opinion column.
Alabama’s long-awaited return to the College World Series—a 27-year hiatus—didn't exactly go as planned. In fact, for a program that had never dropped its Omaha opener in five previous appearances, the 9-0 thrashing by the Sooner Schooner was a jarring reality check. It was the baseball equivalent of a 38-3 blowout on the gridiron.
Omaha struggles
The Crimson Tide, a team that had never been held scoreless in 21 prior Omaha contests, simply couldn't find a spark. Oklahoma freshman starter Cord Rager shut down the Alabama offense, neutralizing bats like Brady Neal and Jason Torres. On the flip side, Alabama ace Tyler Fay returned to his home state, but the pitching staff couldn't keep the Sooner offense in check.
The social media madness
As expected, the aftermath sent the internet into a frenzy. Fans coped, critics seethed, and rivals—particularly on Iron Bowl Twitter—enjoyed the chaos. However, one alleged Alabama fan crossed the line, posting that the team would have been better off losing in the Super Regional. It is a sentiment that, frankly, ignores the reality of the sport.
The championship-or-bust myth
The idea that an earlier exit is preferable is a massive miscalculation. Why would any fan prefer to extend a drought or miss out on the sport's biggest stage? The beauty of the NCAA Baseball Tournament is that it isn't a one-and-done format; teams can—and have—battled back from early losses to win it all. While only 12 teams in history have lost their Omaha opener and rebounded to win the championship, the possibility remains. As long as there is a game left, there is a chance.
Looking ahead
The Crimson Tide get a shot at redemption this afternoon against Texas. Regardless of the outcome, the experience gained by Rob Vaughn's squad this season is invaluable. In the world of college baseball, a tough day in Omaha still beats a good day anywhere else. Alabama is competing on the sport's premier stage, and that is an achievement, not a reason for regret.
Kevin Scarbinsky, a member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Hall of Fame, is a special contributor to 205focus.com. Follow him on X @kevinscarbinsky. Watch his Scarbo Knows podcast on YouTube.
