By: Clay Pruitt

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Crimson Tide took game two in their series against Texas A&M. The Tide and the Aggies both had hot bats Saturday, but Alabama was able to end the game with a final score of 10-9.

Jacob McNairy was the starting pitcher for the Tide. He led Alabama through five innings. McNairy gave up seven hits and six runs. He faced 24 batters, striking out six and walking only one.

It wasn’t until the bottom of the fourth the first run of the game was scored. Aggies’ catcher Troy Claunch singled to center, which scored Aggies’ right fielder Brett Minnich. That put the Aggies up by one in the fourth.

The bottom of the fourth was when the Tide got their bats hot. After two Tide batters bunted, Andrew Pinckeney also bunted and reached first base on an error by Aggies’ third baseman Ryan Targac. That play also scored Tommy Seidl, which tied the game at one apiece.

Alabama did not stop there. Caden Rose recorded his first of three RBIs in the bottom of the fourth when he hit a single to center. Drew Williamson scored which gave Bama the lead, 2-1. Jim Jarvis recorded an RBI after he singled, which drove in Pinckney. Eric Foggo followed up with a sac fly that brought in Bryce Eblin. 

Alabama increased their lead even further after Andrew Pinckney hit an RBI single which scored Tommy Seidl. Caden Rose then recorded his second and third RBI with a hit that scored Bryce Eblin and Andrew Pinckney. After the fifth was over, the Tide led 7-1.

Texas A&M fought back in the top of the sixth when McNairy gave up a two-run homer to Jack Moss which was his only hit of the day.

With the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, Alabama called to the bullpen. Antoine Jean answered the call. Jean walked Ryan Targac, which scored Austin Bost. Caden Rose committed an error on a hit by Jordan Thompson, which allowed Texas A&M to score three runs. That tied the game up at seven apiece. Kole Kaler hit a ground out to Jim Jarvis but drove in Jordan Thompson which broke the tie.

After the Aggies called in Will Johnson to pitch in the bottom of the seventh, Bryce Eblin brought in Drew Williamson with a single, which tied the game at eight apiece. Designated hitter William Hamiter singled up the middle. That hit scored Caden Rose and Bryce Eblin. The Tide regained the lead 10-8.

Dylan Ray replaced Antoine Jean on the mound in the top of the eighth. Ray gave up four hits but only one run. The last out came in the top of the ninth when Dylan Ray struckout Troy Claunch. 

The Tide finished with 11 hits and 10 RBIs. Andrew Pinckney and William Hamiter both ended the day with two RBIs and one hit each. Antoine Jean was credited with the win. Dylan Ray was credited with a save. 

Head coach Brad Bohannon said, “[I am] really glad to get a win.”

Pitcher Dylan Ray said, “The team did a great job staying in the game.”

Alabama Baseball improves to 16-12 overall and 3-5 in conference play. Texas A&M falls to 16-10 and 4-4 in conference play. Alabama’s next game will be Sunday against the Aggies at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The game will start at 1 p.m. CT.

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