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Weather Pushes Sun Belt Baseball Match to Thursday Morning

Montgomery, Alabama, USAThursday, May 21, 2026

South Alabama and Troy were set to clash in the Sun Belt tournament on Wednesday night, but rain in Montgomery forced a change of plans. The two teams now start the competition at 9 a.m. Thursday in front of a different crowd, as the original game was delayed by more than two hours and then halted for an hour after a heavy downpour. If the game had gone ahead on Wednesday, it would have begun past midnight and likely ended in a chaotic finish.

The matchup is the first game for both sides:

  • South Alabama – 5th seed, 33‑21 record
  • Troy – 4th seed, 29‑27 tally

The postponement also shifted the tournament’s rhythm, as the Southern Miss–Georgia State game had already been delayed and pushed back. Because of these changes, the Thursday game will determine who faces the loser of that earlier match in a do‑or‑die bout at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Stakes

  • The winner of the South Alabama–Troy game moves on to play the victor of Southern Miss versus Georgia State at 11 a.m. Friday.
  • Teams must stay sharp overnight, ready to adjust strategies on short notice.
  • Coaches are already reviewing game plans and ensuring players stay focused despite the weather’s disruption.

Impact on Teams

  • The early start may alter how teams manage their pitching staffs and energy levels, especially as they prepare for a potential back‑to‑back day of play.
  • The Sun Belt tournament’s resilience in the face of unpredictable weather highlights the importance of flexibility and quick decision‑making for both players and organizers.

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