TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A hitter-friendly day at Sewell-Thomas Stadium lead to a big offensive day in a 13-3 run rule win to clinch its second series of the season, moving to 7-0.
Alabama trailed for the first time this season after a two-run top half of the inning, but not long after the Tide exploded for seven runs with home runs from Gage Miller, Ian Petrutz, Coleman Mizell and Justin Lebron.
“We were persistent and we do not want to take any prisoners on our journey facing every opponent the same way,” said Petrutz.
The pitching staff allowed its first long ball of the season when Kyle Schmack hit a solo home run off Aidan Moza. After momentarily getting pulled from the ballgame, Moza came back in and was able to pitch 4 innings with 4 strikeouts, allowing two-runs and moving to 2-0 on the season with the win.
“Good news for Moza I thought he had a blister in his arm, but it was just a cut and he did a good job competing through that,” said Coach Rob Vaughn.
Alabama small-balled its way through the third with a Miller RBI single followed by a wild pitch, scoring two runs. Evan Sleight smoked a single through the right side scoring one and Guscette hit a sacrifice fly to score another.
“That’s what the pack offense is it is more of our identity and a way for the guys to do their job,” said Vaughn on the different ways of scoring.
The bullpen continued putting up zeros, with Coulson Buchanan throwing 2 innings, with 2 strikeouts and Jackson Baker throwing 1 inning with 1 strikeout to close the ballgame.
Miller led the team at the plate, going 3-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs, followed by Petrutz going 3-4 with 2 RBI. The Tide is up to 14 home runs hit as a team so far this season.
Up next for Alabama is the series finale versus Valparaiso with the Tide looking to sweep its first two series with first pitch set for 1 p.m. central on the SEC Network +.
