Tuscaloosa, Ala – The Alabama Crimson Tide swept the North Alabama Lions with a final score of 8-0 and 4-1 in a two-game series, improving to 7-2 on the season.
Game 1:
Offensively, Bama started out very slow recording no runs through the first two innings. After two innings, the Bama offense became very hot at the plate. Keith Holcombe doubled down the left field line, followed by a home run to left field by Tyler Gentry putting Bama ahead 2-0 early in the third, followed by more great hits from TJ Reeves, Justin King and Gene Wood extending Bama’s lead to 6-0 heading into the fourth inning.
After the Tide’s very dominant third inning, the Lions struggled to bounce back from a six-point deficit, recording zero runs through nine innings. The Tide extended its lead to 8-0 after Wood scored an unearned run in the fifth and Johnny Hawk scored on an RBI- single from Wood later in the sixth inning.
The Tide had a very solid effort on the mound from five pitchers, which helped the Crimson Tide record a shutout win over the Lions. Alabama Junior starting pitcher Wil Freeman was a solid piece on the mound for four innings allowing one hit, zero walks and zero earned runs on 15 batters faced, he is now 1-0 on the season.
The Lions struggled on all phases of the diamond having a carousel of six pitchers on the mound, in hopes of being able to shut down the Crimson Tide. The Lions starting pitcher Adam Mancour was credited with the loss after facing 16 batters allowing seven hits, two walks and five earned runs through two innings, he is now 0-1 on the season.
The Crimson Tide recorded an 8-0 victory over the Lions in the first game of the series.
Game 2:
Once again, Alabama’s dominance both offensively and defensively proved to be a complication for the Lions. After no action on either side offensively, the Tide scores its first run off an RBI-walk to close out the third inning.
Tide pitchers began to struggle a great deal in the top of the fifth inning, allowing the Lions to record their only run of the day. After a rough fifth inning start, the Tide immediately answered with some great hits by John Trousdale, Joe Breaux and Morgan McCullough extending the Tides lead to 3-1.
The Tide recorded its final run of the day during the seventh inning with a walk from Drew Williamson, advancing Tyler Gentry to second and Keith Holcombe to third, scoring McCullough giving Bama a 4-1 lead.
Alabama Freshman pitcher Chase Lee was credited the win facing five batters allowing zero hits, zero walks and zero earned runs in one and a half innings, while Freshman pitcher Jacob McNairy is credited with the save facing eight batters allowing one hit, zero walks and zero earned runs.
The Lions once again had a carousel of seven pitchers on the mound. Lions pitcher Garret Gillum was credited with the loss after facing six batters allowing four hits, one walk and two earned runs.
(Photo Courtesy of Alabama Athletics)
