TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- After pitching dominated the first two games of the series, the offense
came through as Alabama beat Murray State 5-4 in the final game of the three-game series on
Sunday.
The game started strong for Alabama, as a two- run first inning capped off by a Dominic Tamez
RBI single gave the Tide an early advantage. In the top of the third inning, errors plagued
Alabama, as Murray State took the lead 3-2 after three costly errors.
“I didn’t call them together; I was watching to see how they responded. You’re going to have
innings like that, it’s a nine-inning game…I thought we did a good job playing through it,” said
Head Coach Brad Bohannon.
The third inning was the last for Alabama starter Grayson Hitt, who went three innings, giving
up three total runs, one earned, off four hits, with four strikeouts.
A Caden Rose sacrifice fly tied the game in the fourth, then two innings later, Eric Foggo hit a
two-run homerun to give Alabama the lead 5-3, a lead that they never gave up.
“Eric’s a grad transfer, and hadn’t had an opportunity to this point, and when you have a couple
injuries it creates opportunities for some folks…I was really happy for him because he’s been
patient,” said Bohannon.
Brock Guffey (2-0) was given the ball in the sixth inning, pitching three innings, giving up no
runs on no hits with one strikeout. Bohannon then gave the ball to Landon Green for the ninth,
but the reliever only managed one out, giving up one run and one hit with one walk, before
Hunter Hoopes came in with runners on and a 3-0 count for the final two outs, giving up just one
hit before securing his second save of the year with a fly-out to end the game.
“In the bullpen you don’t expect to throw back-to-back days, this early in the season. Coach and
I talked, and it was zero to 100 and being able to go from 3-0 to the strikeout was huge,” said
Hoopes.
With the win, Alabama moves to 9-4 on the year, with their next game Tuesday against Middle
Tennessee State at 3 p.m.
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