[Marde]

Maybe the autozone guy said too much voltage?

Yes, voltage regulator (VR) is inside the Alt.

Starter should be fine, no worries.

Bad Alts will often damage a battery, so replacing both Alt and Bat is often done.

My guess is your Alt is toast. Having an OEM Alt re-built is often preferred, compared to replacing it with a new/rebuilt one purchased at big name car part stores. Before taking further action I would suggest you make your battery terminal lug connections super clean and happy. Some cables get corroded inside/behind the lug, -not just on the battery. Also follow the black cable down to the car frame (on drivers side wheel well) and disconnect & clean that connection too.

 

[Marde]

.. do i need to replace the battery as well?? I hope not.

Nobody knows.

I have never owner a battery tester, so all I have ever done is basic voltage tests. I have owned a couple trickle chargers though, very helpful. This however, does not tell you too much. The few times I have had a battery tested, I had car part stores do it.

Want to know more? -here is a link.
http://carbatteryonline.net/car-battery-tester.html

Don't forget about those visual inspections and clean-up of connections comments I made earlier. You need a have some decent mech skills and tools to replace an Alt on the 2.3. Lots of info here about that, so use the SEARCH box to find addl info.

Please watch the first 30 seconds of this video->
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8AGDuhxOKQ&app=desktop