By: Adam Hambright
HOMEWOOD, Ala.– Alabama had to leave the friendly confines of Sewell-Thomas Stadium for the first time this season and was able to defeat Samford by a final score of 11-6.
Early in the game, it seemed that the Alabama hitters could do no wrong as the Tide jumped out to what appeared to be an insurmountable lead of 11-0 by the top of the sixth inning.
Freshman Colby Shelton continued his hot hitting as he launched another two home runs to bring his total for the season to nine, seven of which have come in the last four games.
“I’m afraid to talk to him right now,” Alabama Head Coach Brad Bohannon said. “He’s been hotter than a firecracker the last four games.”
Shelton was not the only offense for the Tide.
Alabama finished with five home runs. The two from Shelton and one a piece from Jim Jarvis, Drew Williamson and Dominic Tamez.
Seven of the 11 runs came by way of the long ball.
Andrew Pinckney only had one hit on the night but made it count. Pinckney hit an RBI triple in the first inning. Jaxson West entered the game in the top of the sixth with the bases loaded and drew the walk to add another run. Then in the same inning, Caden Rose hit a two-run RBI double to push the lead to 11 but was unable to score after the sixth.
Once Bohannon saw how large the lead had grown it appeared as if the coach was willing to sit on that lead to allow other players to get experience before SEC play starts next week.
The Tide also received a great performance from their starting pitcher, Luke Holman. Holman pitched five total innings and gave up zero runs on zero hits. Holman also had 12 strikeouts and only walked one batter.
“It was probably the best outing of his life,” said Bohannon.
The momentum shifted abruptly once Holman was relieved of his pitching duties in the sixth inning.
The Bulldogs score five runs in the inning. All of the runs were credited to Kade Woods who only lasted for 0.1 innings. Woods gave up only one hit but also threw two wild pitches, walked two batters and hit two others.
The next pitcher was Hunter Furtado, who could get out of the sixth inning but would not get out of the seventh. Furtado finished with 1.1 innings pitched and gave up the sixth and final run for the home team.
Zane Probst and Hagan Banks also pitched during the game and were able to keep Samford off the board for the remainder of the game.
The No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide will be back home on Wednesday when they host Alabama State at 6 p.m. The game will be streamed live on SEC Network Plus.
