TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- Alabama Baseball opens the Rob Vaughn era with a 4-0 shutout win with early offense and 15 strikeouts by the pitching staff.
Early fireworks with the Tide started in the first inning when Gage Miller and Tj McCants reached on a hit by a pitch and a single, which allowed Will Hodo to reach on an E-6, which allowed two runs to score.
“Starter pitcher really sets the tone for the whole game and I thought Hess really did that,” said Coach Vaughn.
Ben Hess got the opening day nod coming off injury last season pitching very well on a pitch count in four innings of work tallying nine-K, which is the most by an Alabama pitcher on opening day since 2010. Hess also tallied his first win of the season
“Its a ton of fun to go out there and pitch when everything’s clicking,” said Hess.
The transfers led the way for the Tide in the third when Maryland transfer Ian Petrutz roped a double scoring one followed by a single by Rutgers transfer Evan Sleight with an RBI single.
McCants, who is a transfer from Ole Miss, had a great night at the plate leading the team with two hits going two-four with a stolen base and two runs.
“I did not get a lot of fastballs tonight and was able to make adjustments and put the bat on the ball and I was glad I could come thru for my team.
Alabama bullpen shut the door and held the shutout as Hagan Banks and Braylon Myers combined for five inings and had six-K combined between the two.
Alabama will throw Riley Quick tomorrow and will look to win its first series of the year with the first pitch at 2 p.m. central on the SEC Network +.
