Alabama is in Winston-Salem this weekend for Super Regional action against the national No. 1 seed Wake Forest.

The Demon Deacons took Game 1 on Saturday, 5-4, in what was a truly wild affair. Wake Forest had a 3-0 lead after 2 innings before Alabama battled back to tie it in the fourth. A solo shot from Wake Forest’s Danny Corona in the fifth broke the tie and gave Wake a lead it wouldn’t give back.

Corona’s at-bat wasn’t without controversy, though. Wake’s designated hitter appeared to strike out, but the at-bat was extended on a check-swing review. He then sent the next pitch over the hedges in right field and, as he ran the bases, Alabama assistant coach Matt Reida was ejected while arguing the call.

Alabama’s Caden Rose had a homer run in the third to put the Tide on the scoreboard, and then he hit his second solo shot of the game in the eighth to claw the Tide back within 1 run.

After the game, and in spite of the loss, Rose was as confident as ever.

“This is the 2 best teams in the country going at it right now,” he said, per Bama247’s Mike Rodak. “I don’t care how they have us ranked — these are the best 2 teams in the country slugging it out.”

Wake Forest, with a 51-10 record, has claim to the title of best in the country. The Demon Deacons did, after all, secure the top overall seed in the tournament. Alabama, at 43-20, drew the 16 seed and swept its games at the Tuscaloosa Regional.

Confidence is worth quite a lot at this stage in the season. Alabama isn’t lacking in that department.

First pitch in Game 2 on Sunday is set for noon ET.