No. 15 Alabama Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader with Lipscomb
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Saturday was an eventful day for the No. 15 Alabama baseball team. Following inclement weather which forced the cancellation of a previously rescheduled series opener on Friday, Sewell-Thomas Stadium instead played host to two games between Alabama and Lipscomb.
"Long day of baseball, but I thought it was just a great day," head coach Rob Vaughn said. "We finally made that adjustment... [I've talked] a lot about scoring runs from third with less than two outs and being efficient, and today we were 10-for-10 doing that.
That's huge. That's who we are. We pound the strike zone, we make plays and we execute offensively. We did that pretty much throughout the day, particularly a much better job in game two of being more efficient on the mound."
The first game of the doubleheader was a classic case of bizarre ballpark antics. The final score was a football margin of 20-13. The Crimson Tide (14-1) had innings of seven, six and five runs in the game, but trailed 6-1 at one point. Saturday marked 366 days since Alabama last scored 20 runs in a game. Starting pitcher Ben Hess was far from his sharpest, surrendering a trio of the Bisons’ runs. Third baseman Gage Miller and Lipscomb third baseman Trace Willhoite each hit two home runs. Miller led off the game with one of his. His season total is now eight long balls.
The twinbill’s opening act was a breakout day for first baseman Will Hodo, whose offense changed the complexion of the game. Normally batting in the cleanup spot, Hodo hit seventh in the first game on Saturday. The Bisons’ five-run lead evaporated in the home half of the same inning in which it came into being, the fifth. Alabama plated seven runs in that frame, including Miller’s second blast. However, Lipscomb (3-10) came back and made it 11-8 in the top of the sixth. In the bottom half, Hodo, who had walked thrice, hit a grand slam to make it 13-11.
"I was just up there trying to be aggressive," he said. "I've kinda been a little too passive the past couple weeks, and just kinda got back to being me and swinging at the right pitches, and it showed." He had decided, facing a southpaw who threw breaking balls to left-handed hitters, to sit on breaking stuff during the grand slam at-bat. "I told him to hit it in the home bullpen, but he hit it off the batter's eye," Vaughn joked.
He went on to walk again before smacking one to the batter’s eye in the eighth for an additional three RBIs, which brought the Crimson Tide’s score to 20. Closer Alton Davis II entered a 15-13 game after Lipscomb continued to fight back, then retired the ninth inning with a seven-run cushion under considerably more ease. Down to his final chance of the afternoon in the eighth inning, center fielder TJ McCants extended his hitting streak to 14 games. Right fielder Evan Sleight scored four times, as did Willhoite and Bisons first baseman Mason Lundgrin. Hodo was not retired for the first time on the day until three plate appearances into the second game.
Lipscomb’s starter in game one, Alex Brewer, seemed on track for a decent outing through four innings. At that point, all that was on his ledger was the Miller home run, but the wheels fell off in the big fifth inning and he was lifted with a double-digit earned run average. "Our offense did an unbelievable job, had really nothing going [against Brewer]," said Vaughn. "We spent a whole week talking about being on time with the heater, and that guy came out and I think he threw about four or five fastballs the entire game."
Alabama scored four runs in the very first inning of the second game, somewhat of a change of pace from the prior showing. Greg Farone, who was moved up to starting the second game of the weekend instead of his ordinary third spot, proved up for the challenge with five punchouts in his first three innings. His mentality hasn't changed despite the changes in his position within the rotation. Alabama walked eight batters in the first game. Farone let zero aboard via the free pass.
"I kinda just take what I'm given and do my best to prepare each week," Farone said, "and really just go out there and give this team a chance to win."
He was backed up by further support from catcher Kam Guangorena, who collected what is to date his biggest hit in an Alabama uniform with a two-RBI double in the third following a hard lineout to short in his first turn. He also walked in his last plate appearance, the final base on balls issued by the Lipscomb staff of 22 across the two contests.
Farone, unlike Hess, went five innings of shutout work. His final line closed with three hits on 81 pitches in total. He had a good start last weekend against Dallas Baptist, leading to him being called on to make the second start of the weekend. Lundgrin hit a home run in the second game, adding to his runs total for the evening, but that was after Zane Probst entered the contest. "[We] went through quite a few arms in that first one," Vaughn said. "Needed Greg to give us a good start and get some length in that second one, and he did just that. No freebies in game two. That's more us."
Probst, whom Vaughn said was one of his favorite human beings on the team, went three innings with that run as the only one he gave up. "He'll tell you, he didn't have a great first outing [of the season]," said Vaughn. "He attacked with the fastball. The breaking ball's always good. The fastball command makes that breaking ball better. He commanded his fastball at a really high level today."
McCants did, in fact, extend his hitting streak to 15 games. In the nightcap, once again, he was down to his last chance. He sent a ground-rule double to right field to score Alabama’s ninth run of the game. The team has focused on having players up and down the order who can step up on a given day. Saturday wasn't necessarily McCants' best, but others, including Alabama's efficient bottom of the order, filled that role.
The marathon day reached its end with both contests going the full nine innings for which they were scheduled. The final score of game two ended up being 10-1, another Crimson Tide win.
The Crimson Tide had 27 total hits in the doubleheader. Miller had seven of them. "Really aggressive within the strike zone, it's a really simple operation, and he can repeat it. He's a superstar. We're very fortunate he's here," Vaughn said.
"He just hammers baseballs," Farone said. "I don't think you really pitch around him. You should pitch around him. You can't get a heater by the guy. You can't throw anything by him. He hits. I don't know what it is or what he does. He hits."
Junior Hagan Banks, who has not pitched since appearing in relief on opening day, will toe the rubber at 1 p.m. CT in Sunday's series finale. He'll be on a pitch count, but Vaughn (who foresees a challenge from the Bisons' batting order chock full of seniors and graduate students) expects the result of the outing to play a pivotal role in whether or not Alabama can secure another sweep and maintain its unbeaten home record. Banks has experience as a reliever and a number of starts under his belt. He's not dissimilar to Farone in that regard. Both players have proven themselves versatile enough to be called on by the coaching staff in different situations.
How it Happened:
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- On to the ninth with Alabama just shy of a run-rule finish. 10-1 Crimson Tide. Jansen Kenty on to pitch.
- Lipscomb goes down in order in the top of the eighth, trailing by eight.
- One more run for Alabama in the eighth makes it 9-1, but a double play ends the inning.
- Down in order go the Bisons in T7. Stretch time.
- Alabama strands two on base to end the sixth inning.
- Mason Lundgrin hits a solo home run to left-center field to put the Bisons on the board. Alabama leads 8-1.
- Alabama plates two more in the bottom of the fifth, stranding one man on base, and now leads 8-0. Probst will pitch for Farone.
- Farone gets through five shutout and has six strikeouts. With Zane Probst warming up, that was likely the lefty's last inning.
- Alabama strands runners on first and second to end the fourth inning. The Crimson Tide lead 6-0.
- Lipscomb strikes out and has two ground outs to end the top of the fourth inning.
- Kameron Guangorena extends Alabama's lead with a 2-RBI double in the bottom of the third inning. Alabama leads 6-0.
- The Bisons go down 1-2-3 in the top of the third.
- Alabama strands runners on the corners to end the second. Alabama leads 4-0.
- Lipscomb goes down in order in the top of the second.
- The Crimson Tide puts up four runs in the first inning. A single by Bryce Eblin scores the fourth but he's tagged out trying to stretch it and the first inning is over.
- Lipscomb made him work for it, but Farone struck out the side in T1. The at-bat that proved to be the last of the inning went eight pitches. Miller, McCants, Petrutz up for the first time in the second game.
- First pitch of game two crosses the plate at 6:16 p.m. CT.
- Crimson jerseys for Alabama in the nightcap.
- Lipscomb is throwing Michael Dunkelberger in game two. He's got a 4.60 ERA in 15.2 innings this season. His record is 1-2.
- Alabama's lineup for game two of the doubleheader: 1. Gage Miller, third base; 2. TJ McCants, center field; 3. Ian Petrutz, left field; 4. Evan Sleight, right field; 5. Mason Swinney, designated hitter; 6. Will Hodo, first base; 7. Justin Lebron, shortstop; 8. Bryce Eblin, second base; 9. Kam Guangorena, catcher; P: Greg Farone, LHP
- First pitch for game two is slotted for 6 p.m. CT. Greg Farone will pitch for Alabama.
- Davis strands two in the top of the night to end the first game at 3 hours and 29 minutes. There will be a 40-minute gap until game two. 20-13 is the final in game one.
- Will Hodo hits a three-run home run to extend Alabama's lead 20-13.
- McCants scores on an error by the Lipscomb pitcher. Alabama leads 17-13.
- TJ McCants hits an RBI double, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. Alabama leads 16-13.
- Alton Davis II is coming into the game in the top of the eighth as Alabama leads 15-13.
- Lipscomb's designated hitter Austin Kelly hits a 2-RBI single in the top of the eighth to keep the Bisons within two. Alabama leads 15-13.
- The Crimson Tide gets one more in the seventh to stretch the lead to 15-11. Fay is back on to pitch the eighth.
- Stretch time at The Joe. Tyler Fay works a 1, 2, 3 shutout inning in T7.
- The sixth inning comes to a close, but Alabama tacks six runs onto the board and goes back in front 14-11.
- Justin Lebron joins the Dinger Party with a solo home run to left center field, extending the Crimson Tide's lead 14-11.
- Will Hodo hits a grand slam to put Alabama back in front. Alabama leads 13-11.
- Alabama loads the bases, then Mac Guscette gets hit by a pitch. Lipscomb leads 11-9. Joey Mitchell is coming into the game for Lipscomb.
- Noah Boughton hits a 2-RBI single to extend Lipscomb's lead 11-8. Tyler Fay is entering the game.
- Mason Lundgrin puts Lipscomb back in front with a 2-RBI single. The Bisons lead 9-8.
- Lipscomb's Jake Berg hits an RBI single to get the Bisons deficit within one. Alabama leads 8-7.
- The fifth inning ends with no more damage, but Alabama plates seven runs to take an 8-6 lead. Matthew Heiberger is in to pitch for the Crimson Tide.
- Gage Miller continues his productive day with a sac fly to make it 8-6.
- Just like that, with a Bryce Eblin RBI single, the Crimson Tide has a 7-6 lead.
- Hodo walks, and Justin Lebron singles with the bases loaded to score two runs. The game is tied. Still only one away in the home fifth.
- Jake Lynch comes in to pitch for Lipscomb in relief of Alex Brewer. He'll start with a 1-0 count on Will Hodo.
- With the bags full and one out, Mac Guscette singles home a pair. The score is 6-4 and Alabama is back in this game.
- Gage Miller equals Willhoite with his second home run of the day to make it 6-2. Second leadoff bomb for Miller of the day.
- Top of the fifth is history, but the Bisons do damage. It's now a five-run game with the home half due up.
- Lipscomb's Trace Willhoite has blown this thing open with a three-run home run. 6-1 Bisons in the top of the fifth. His second home run of the day.
- Coulson Buchanan is coming into the game in relief of Ben Hess.
- The Crimson Tide strands one on base to end the fourth inning. Lipscomb leads 3-1.
- Lipscomb threatens but a double play ends the top half of the fourth with no damage. The Bisons lead 3-1.
- Alabama strands two runners in the third after leaving them on the corners in the second.
- Top of the third in the books. The Lipscomb home run is all Hess surrenders. The top of the order is set to come up for Alabama.
- Mason Lundgrin hits a two-run home run to give Lipscomb a 3-1 advantage. Hess not at his sharpest today. 56 pitches through 2.1 innings so far.
- Alabama gets some base traffic as Evan Sleight hits a leadoff double, Will Hodo drew a walk, and Justin Lebron reached on a fielder's choice but bring anyone in to score. Tied at 1 after two innings.
- Hess walks two straight batters but a strikeout and line out end the top of the second tied at 1.
- Lipscomb's Trace Willhoite ties up the game at 1 with a solo shot to right-center field. That was the first home run hit off Ben Hess this year.
- The next three after Miller are all retired, two by way of a groundout. 1-0 Crimson Tide.
- Leadoff home run for Gage Miller, making it his second blast in as many games. 1-0 Alabama before Lipscomb records an out.
- Three up, three down for Ben Hess in the first inning with a swinging strikeout on a fastball. Miller, McCants, Petrutz up first.
- First pitch at 2:02 p.m. CT.
- Alabama is repping all white uniforms with crimson hats.
- Due to inclement weather on Friday, Alabama baseball is playing a doubleheader against Lipscomb. Game 1 is set for 2 p.m. CT and Game 2 will be approximately 40 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.
