TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Coming off a sweep this past weekend, and moving two spots up to 17 in the top 25, Alabama continued its winning ways on the diamond with a 3-1 win over Middle Tennessee State University behind TJ McCants three-RBI day.
The Tide heard some unfortunate news with starting pitcher Riley Quick announced today out for season with a torn UCL needing surgery and will be out for the rest of the season per Head Coach Rob Vaughn.
“We have some guys who will step up in his spot, but we will miss Riley and he will be with us every step of the way which I’m excited about,” said Vaughn.
Greg Farone got the start for Alabama in what seemed like an audtion for the opening starter role. While only pitching 2.2 innings, Farone was able to tally five-K allowing just one-H on the day.
“I thought Greg was outstanding and really set the tone for the game and he is a canidate for that starting role,” said Vaughn on Farone.
Offensively Alabama could not get anything going early thanks to the work done by MTSU starting pitcher Cole Torbett who struck out five in the first two innings. The Tide were able to put up two runs in the third on McCants two-run home run on a laser to right field and it is his second in the early season.
The Blue Raiders gave Alabama pitchers trouble all evening, especially in the top of the ffourth scoring its only run on the game on a single by Trace Phillips off Zane Propst. The work of Austin Morris and Braylon Myers was very good combining for 5.0 innings with seven-K combined between the two with Morris tallying the win and Myers getting the save.
Alabama had the knockout punch in the bottom of the eighth when Bryce Eblin went yard and the next at bat Gage Miller hitting a home run after previously going 0-for-4.
“We knew it was more perplexing and knows he is a dangerous man with the bat with his hand and he barrelled one up,” said Vaughn on Miller’s home run.
Up next for 4-0 Alabama is a game vs Alabama State University tomorrow at 4 p.m. central on the SEC Network +.
