Alabama defeated Rhode Island 8-5 on Saturday in the Power of Pink game, using a big fourth inning and a timely offense to win the second game in the series.
The Crimson Tide broke the game open in the fourth inning. Luke Vaughn launched a two-run home run to left field before Bryce Fowler delivered a two-RBI single later in the frame, giving Alabama a 5-2 advantage.
Rhode Island refused to go away. Tolentino homered twice on the afternoon, including a three-
run shot in the seventh inning that cut Alabama’s lead to 6-5. His first home run came earlier in the third inning, briefly giving Rhode Island its first lead of the game and keeping pressure on Alabama throughout the afternoon.
Alabama answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. John Lemm connected on his first home run of the season to extend the lead, and Brady Neal helped pad the lead in the eighth with a sacrifice bunt that pushed the score 8-5.
Zane Adams started on the mound for Alabama and worked through six innings before the bullpen combined to close out the final frames. The Crimson Tide held Rhode Island scoreless in the ninth to seal the victory and move to 2-0 in the series.
