By: Joe Schatz
KNOXVILLE, TN. – The twenty fourth ranked Crimson Tide (23-14, 8-7 in SEC) fell in the
final game of the weekend series to top ranked Tennessee (33-3, 14-1 in SEC) on Sunday.
Tennessee jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the second inning off a two-run double by Cortland
Lawson followed by two singles to score the next two. A Jim Jarvis solo home run gave
Alabama some life, cutting the lead to 4-2 in the third, but it was all Tennessee after that. A
three-run home run in the fourth and a solo home run in the fifth grew the Volunteer’s lead to 8-2
after five innings.
Alabama only scored two more runs in the game; a Zane Denton homerun, and
a Tommy Seidl groundout to push one across in the ninth as Tennessee pulled away to take the
game 15-4.
“Tennessee is really good team, they’re No. 1 in the country for a reason, and we ran into a
buzzsaw today” said Head Coach Brad Bohannon.
Alabama started Grayson Hitt (3-1) today, who struggled through three and two-thirds innings,
giving up seven runs off seven hits, with three walks and two strikeouts. The ball was then
handed to Jake Leger for the next two innings, as Leger gave up three runs off four hits. Hunter
Hoopes, Brock Guffey and Hagan Banks then came in, letting up five runs in the final three
innings.
The Tide offense was lead by the three bats of Jim Jarvis, Zane Denton, and Drew Williamson,
as all three drove in one run in their four plate appearances. Tennessee’s pitching only allowed
the Tide to get six hits in the game, while striking out 14 times.
“We’ve got to flush today, refocus and come back with a great day of practice tomorrow to get
ready for the new week” added Bohannon.
With the loss, Alabama now sits at 23-14 on the year, and 8-7 in the SEC, still in second place.
Tennessee improves to 33-3 on the year, and 14-1 in the SEC. Alabama will host UAB this
Tuesday before Georgia comes to town this weekend.
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