Kody Valverde drove in the winning run.
Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and runners on the corners, Crimson Tide catcher Kody Valverde came through with a crucial single up the middle to drive home Emeel Salem.
Needing a run to win, coach Jim Wells was fortunate to have Salem and Valverde both get at bats in the bottom of the ninth. Salem reached base on a throwing error and was advanced to second on a ground out by Matt Downs. Kent Matthes pinch hit for DH Alex Avila and reached first on a walk, but not before Salem advanced to third off of a wild pitch. From there, Valverde got the base hit the Tide needed and put the team in better position to win the regional.
Southern Miss defeated Jacksonville State 6-2 in the losers' bracket to send the Gamecocks home.
Southern Miss faces Troy on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and the winner will face Alabama at 6:30 p.m. If Alabama wins the 6:30 contest, they win the regional. If they lose, a game will played at 2:00 p.m. on Monday to decide the champion. If Alabama wins the Regional, they will automatically host a Super Regional since they are the #4 national seed.