STARKVILLE – The Crimson Tide struggled at the plate and on the mound Sunday at Dudy Noble Field, and that combination led to a 9-1 loss to the No. 17 Mississippi State Bulldogs as the 2003 regular season came to an end.

Despite the loss, Alabama clinched a berth in the 2003 SEC Tournament as Florida lost at home to Kentucky, and Arkansas’ home loss to LSU sends the Crimson Tide to the post-season for the eighth time in nine years under Jim Wells.