Tuscaloosa, Ala – The Alabama Crimson Tide took down the Ball State Cardinals with a final score of 7-1 in game one of the three game series to improve to 3-1 on the season.

Alabama’s Senior starting pitcher Sam Finnerty is credited with the win, he is now 2-0 on the season.

Finnerty stayed locked in as he threw for 7 innings. Through 7 he allowed 3 hits, 0 walks and 0 earned runs on 22 batters faced.

Junior pitcher Deacon Medders came into relieve Finnerty in the top of the eighth and pitched a no decision 1-2-3 inning.

To close out game one of the series Freshman pitcher Dylan Smith entered in the top of the ninth and had a difficult time finding the strike zone, throwing a wild pitch and having a past ball in the same at-bat. Smith ended the game with a single strikeout and got two of his 6 batters faced to ground out to end the game

Ball State’s starting pitcher, Drey Jameson, is credited with the loss. Jameson exited the game in the fourth inning after sustaining an apparent leg injury. No word on the specifics of his injury.

The fast paced Alabama defense committed zero errors throughout the game, only letting 3 Cardinals reach first. The infield was also able to turn two  impressive double plays.

On offense the Tide consistently put men on base with 7 hits and 7 walks while facing four different Ball State pitchers, leaving a total of 9 men on base. Two three run innings throughout the game and a trio of errors on the Cardinals defense helped Alabama put up a total of 7 runs.

Left fielder Keith Holcombe had the offensive highlight of the night with a three-run blast to centerfield, his second of the season, to put the Tide up 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

After the game Alabama Head Coach Brad Bohannon said “It’s hard to expect pitchers to be good if they don’t get out there on the mound,” when talking about pulling SP Sam Finnerty before the eighth inning despite only throwing 68 pitches and most likely could have finished out the game.

Alabama will face off against Ball State for game two of the series tomorrow, February 23, at 12 PM CST at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

(Photo Courtesy of Alabama Athletics)