By: Joe Schatz
KNOXVILLE, TN – The twenty-fourth ranked Alabama (23-12, 8-5 in SEC) used a big fourth
inning to take control of the game and win their eighth straight, beating #1 Tennessee (31-3, 12-1
in SEC) 6-3.
The inning started off strong, with Owen Diodati hitting a solo home run to give Alabama a 3-2
lead and end the night for Tennessee starter Chase Burns (6-1). With runners on first and second,
Dominic Tamez reached on an error to score Andrew Pinckney and make it a 4-2 game. A Drew
Williamson sac fly scored Eblin, and the Crimson Tide left the fourth inning up 5-2.
Burns worked through three tough innings, giving up three runs off seven hits with one walk and
four strikeouts, throwing 74 pitches.
Tennessee scored their third and final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth on a solo shot to
end Garrett McMillan’s (4-2) night on the mound and make it 5-3. The Alabama starter pitched
five and one-third innings, giving up three runs off seven hits, with four walks and five
strikeouts, throwing 110 pitches. Hunter Hoopes got the ball and pitched the next one and two-
third innings, only allowing one hit.
“This was just a total, complete effort. Garrett McMillan kind of nibbled early and pitched
through a lot of traffic…but he settled in and put up some zeroes” said Head Coach Brad
Bohannon.
Leading 5-3 going into the ninth inning, the Tide scored a big insurance run on a triple from
Drew Williamson to score Tamez and cap off the game, as Alabama held on to the 6-3 lead.
“This was just a great win over a great team, and I’m excited to get out here and play again
tomorrow” added Bohannon.
Alabama now moves to 23-12 on the year, and 8-5 in the SEC, moving to second place in the
West division. Tennessee drops to 31-3 on the year and 12-1 in the SEC, remaining first in the
East division.
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