Four-Run Fifth Inning Secures Alabama Baseball’s Sweep of Lipscomb
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- 26 hours.
That’s how long it took the No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team to play all three of its games against Lipscomb. Due to inclement weather on Friday, the team played a doubleheader on Saturday and secured the series sweep on Sunday afternoon by a score of 10-5 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Alabama’s scorching hot offense continued as the team got off to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning from a sacrifice fly by Evan Sleight and an RBI single by Coleman Mizell. Other scoring plays include a 2-RBI single by Ian Petrutz in the bottom of the second, an RBI single by Mac Guscette in the third and fourth, an RBI single by Petrutz, and a 2-RBI single by Sleight in the fifth. Petrutz also accounted for a run in the fifth, scoring on an error by the Bisons shortstop.
The Crimson Tide bullpen’s struggles remained as the team blew through six arms in total. Hagan Banks started on the mound for the Crimson Tide, his first outing since opening weekend against Manhattan College. The junior, who was on a pitch count, went 1.0 innings, walked one batter and struck out one. Kade Snell, Coulson Buchanan, Jansen Kenty, Pierce George, and Braylon Myers made appearances out of the bullpen.
Lipscomb kept it close for the first half of the game and stayed within two runs before the Crimson Tide blew it open in the fifth. The team saw scoring plays from Noah Boughton, Alex Vergara, Parks Bouck, and Jake Berg on a groundout, two home runs, and a single.
"We did enough today, which is great, but I think it's a really good test run for us cause we're gonna be in this situation at some point during SEC play this year, it's just the nature of college baseball," said Alabama baseball head coach Rob Vaughn.
How it Happened:
- Lipscomb goes down in order. Alabama wins 10-5.
- Alabama strands the bases loaded to end the eighth. Lipscomb is down to its final three outs.
- Lipscomb stands two runners on base to end the top of the eighth.
- One hit is all for the Crimson Tide in the home seventh. On to the final two innings of the series, barring a major scoring outburst by either side. Braylon Myers is now pitching.
- Stretch time. No runs for Lipscomb in the top of the seventh. 10-5.
- Alabama goes down in order to end the sixth inning.
- The Bisons strand the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, but tacks one run onto the board.
- Lipscomb's Jake Berg hits an RBI single to put Alabama's lead 10-5. Pierce George is coming into the game for the Crimson Tide.
- The Crimson Tide scores its 10th run of the game on an error and leads by six. Jansen Kenty is coming in to pitch the sixth.
- Alabama has added three runs with one out in B5. Evan Sleight collected a two-RBI hit moments ago. It is now 9-4.
- Buchanan strands a pair after two hits in the top of the fifth. 6-4, Alabama.
- Mac Guscette hits an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to extend Alabama's lead 6-4.
- Ben Wilson comes in to pitch for Lipscomb in the bottom of the fourth.
- Coulson Buchanan is coming into the game in relief of Kade Snell.
- Lipscomb's Parks Bouck hits a bomb to left field that reportedly hit the windshield of a car driving down Second Avenue, cutting the team's deficit 5-4.
- No further damage for Alabama after Lynch comes in. On to the fourth. Snell is back on the mound.
- Jake Lynch coming in to pitch for Lipscomb.
- Coleman Mizell walks, advances on a passed ball, then scores on a Mac Guscette single. 5-3, Alabama.
- Evan Sleight makes a gliding play to end T3. It appears freshman Austin Morris will be the next Alabama pitcher. For now, 5, 6 and 7 hitters are due up in the bottom half.
- Lipscomb's Alex Vergara hits a two-run jack to left center field to make it a 4-3 game in T3. The veteran offense continues to hit.
- Snell is back out there to pitch the third inning. We'll see how long he goes in relief as a two-way guy.
- Ian Petrutz hits a 2-RBI single in the bottom of the second to extend Alabama's lead to 4-1.
- Lipscomb's Noah Boughton hits an RBI groundout to cut the Bisons deficit in half. Alabama leads 2-1.
- The Crimson Tide plates two in the first inning with an Evan Sleight sacrifice fly and a Coleman Mizell RBI. Kade Snell is now pitching for Alabama. 2-0.
- Hagan Banks' first inning since opening day goes off without a hitch. The lone runner was caught stealing and Banks got a strikeout.
- First pitch at 1:03 p.m. CT.
- It will be white jerseys for Alabama today, since the Sunday crimsons were worn during the doubleheader last night. Lipscomb is finally wearing its trademark purple for the first time in the series.
- Alabama lineup: 1. Gage Miller, third base; 2. TJ McCants, center field; 3. Ian Petrutz, left field; 4. Evan Sleight, right field; 5. Coleman Mizell, designated hitter; 6. Mac Guscette, catcher; 7. Will Hodo, first base; 8. Justin Lebron, shortstop; 9. Bryce Eblin, second base; P: Hagan Banks, right-handed pitcher
- Lipscomb lineup: 1. Jake Berg, catcher; 2. Alex Vergara, center field; 3. Mason Lundgrin, first base; 4. Trace Willhoite, third base; 5. Austin Kelly, designated hitter; 6. Noah Boughton, right field; 7. Parks Bouck, second base; 8. Will Lee, left field; 9. Jesus Pacheco, shortstop; P: Collin Witzke, right-handed pitcher
