TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – On a near-freezing Wednesday evening at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, the Alabama Crimson Tide took down the Alabama State Hornets, 15-1, in dominating fashion. Despite the cold temperatures, the Alabama offense showed no signs of slowing down. The Tide bats entered the game averaging 13 runs per contest and matched that total again tonight. The pitching staff was just as dominant, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning and allowing only three hits in the game.
“That was an uncomfortable game from a temperature perspective, but you wouldn’t have known it sitting in that dugout,” said Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn.
Starting pitcher Zach Kittrell, a transfer from Pensacola State College, made his second career collegiate start on the mound this evening. The junior didn’t pitch at all this fall, rehabbing an arm injury. However, he had no trouble handling the Hornets’ lineup this evening, earning the win with two hitless innings and a pair of strikeouts.
“Man, he has burst onto the scene…I’ve been most impressed with his ability to manage a baseball game…my goodness he came out and was absolutely electric tonight,” said coach Rob Vaughn about Kittrell.
Offensively, right fielder Bryce Fowler paved the way for the Tide in the leadoff spot. The transfer from Pearl River Community College went 2-for-4 tonight with six RBIs, highlighted by a grand slam to dead center field off the batter’s eye. His two hits tonight extended his season opening hitting streak to five games. “I’m trying not to think about [the streak] too much. Obviously the swing is feeling good, my approach is working, I am just going to try to keep things simple,” said Fowler.
Along with Fowler, Justin Lebron and Jason Torres extended their season-opening hitting streaks to five games.
The 6-7-8-9 hitters in Alabama’s lineup each recorded two hits, combining for eight RBIs. The bottom of the order played a key role in turning the lineup over, setting the stage for the top of the order to capitalize. Center fielder Richie Bonomolo Jr. had his best game in an Alabama uniform, going 2-for-3 at the dish with four RBIs and two runs scored from the nine-hole.
“The best offenses have an elite bottom half… those guys have done an unbelievable job at flipping the lineup over…there is no room to breathe for opposing pitching staffs,” Vaughn said.
The Tide offense drew eight walks in this game, bringing its season total to 42—good for ninth best in the nation. Their 15-run performance tonight extends their streak of scoring at least 10 runs in every game to start the season.
Defensively, Justin Lebron made the play of the night on a 6-4-3 double play. The sophomore star reacted quickly to a scorching liner hit to his left, making an incredible diving stop while falling and delivering a perfect pitch to second to start the twin killing.
The bullpen arms continued their dominance through the first five games of the season. Austin Morris, Beau Bryans, Anthony Pesci, and Jack Ketchup all saw action, combining for seven strikeouts while allowing just one earned run. With this win, Alabama improves to 5-0 on the young season.
NEXT: Alabama now hits the road for Florida to compete in the Jacksonville Classic. The Tide will face Coastal Carolina on Friday, followed by their toughest test of the season to date against No. 12 North Carolina State on Saturday, before wrapping up the weekend against Ohio State on Sunday.
