How no-hitter sparked a wacky ritual for Alabama baseball's Tyler Fay
Superstition is as old as baseball itself, and Alabama pitcher Tyler Fay isn't immune to it.
Starting in 2026, the Crimson Tide's right-handed ace picked up a new pregame tradition.
It all started with a historic complete game no-hitter against Florida.
On March 20, the Gators — No. 4 seed Alabama's SEC Tournament quarterfinal opponent — went hitless for the first time since 1963 against Fay, who registered a career-high 13 strikeouts in the 85-pitch performance.
Get to know Alabama baseball Tyler Fay's pregame tradition
As any player who just threw a no-no would, Fay examined what was different about his pregame routine in the aftermath of becoming the fourth Crimson Tide arm to deliver a no-hitter.
It was sushi from Publix.
"He has to have sushi for lunch before every start," Fay's father, Brian, told The Tuscaloosa News.
Tyler's fiancée, Chloe, was in Tuscaloosa for the game and the couple decided on sushi for lunch.
"I think he's had sushi every start since then. Even on the road, he'll order sushi on DoorDash," Brian Fay continued.
Entering the 2026 SEC Tournament, the redshirt junior has four consecutive wins. Fay finished the regular season with a 4.43 ERA and 99 strikeouts.
By the numbers, Alabama has gone 6-2 since Fay's sushi ritual started, and the Crimson Tide was leading when he exited the Arkansas game in the sixth inning on Friday, April 10.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama baseball pitcher Tyler Fay adopted wacky ritual after no-hitter
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