TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- After falling to the Bulldogs yesterday, the Tide bounced back with strong offense and pitching to win in mercy rule fashion with the final being 11-1. In the first inning Alabama pitcher Luke Holmer looked strong and the Tide were held on offense. But there were signs of Jurrangelo Cijntje having control issues.


In the bottom of the second there was a delay to fix the mound which Cijntje was visibly making it clear that there was an issue. Alabama pitcher Luke Holman had no issues with the mound as he pitched 5.2 Innings and only one earned run and when asked about it, he said “There wasn’t much problems with the mound at all, but I mean its not the best mound” Following the delay Cijntje walked Tommy Seidl, and Will Hodo loading the bases for Drew Williamson. Williamson delivered with a two RBI single giving the Tide their first runs of the day. Immediately after Ed Johnson crushed a three run homer to left, swelling the lead to 5-0.


Bulldogs Pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje is a switch pitcher, which means he can pitch with both arms. In today and last weeks contests however he only pitched with his right arm. When Coach Brad Bohannon was asked if preperation to face him was different he said “Yea its a little different, I mean Ive never seen a dude like that before. Were so fortunate nowadays with so much video metrics and data. We had to prepare like he was going to throw both ways.” The Tide seemed to figure him out as Mississippi State made the call to the bullpen in the third Inning.


Most of the Tides following runs came off the bat of catcher Dominic Tamez who hit two home runs and drove in four runs. When asked about his approach at the plate Tamez said ” we had really good reports on the pitchers and it really helped me figure out what they were going to throw. Especially the guy that threw me a changeup because he was pretty dominant with the changeup.”


The final moments of the game were highlighted by a lockdown seventh inning by Alton Davis II, who inherited two runners on and nobody out. Davis retired the side in order and had two strikeouts. In the bottom of the seventh Will Portera who came in the game for Ed Johnson delivered the final blow scoring Hodo leaving the final at 11-1.


The Tide head into a critical game on Saturday as the series is split and they are looking for their first SEC series win.

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