Bats Continue to Come Alive for Alabama in Win Over Alabama State

The Crimson Tide scored 10 runs for the second time in four games

Alabama Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama baseball has yet to lose in its opening week, defeating Alabama State 10-3 on Wednesday afternoon in Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

So far this season, Alabama has outscored its opponents 34-6.

Despite the strong offensive outing, Alabama coach Brad Bohannon wasn't too thrilled with his team's performance.

"Really kind of disappointed with our effort today," Bohannon said. "I thought our guys came out distracted. I thought we showed our youth. [We] looked like a bunch of silly little boys who are thinking about going to Las Vegas instead of the team that's got something to prove."

Alabama freshman outfielder Owen Diodati — playing in the designated hitter spot — increased his hitting streak to four games with another single, adding one more RBI to bring his season total to nine in four games.

The Crimson Tide jumped to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first that started with a two-RBI double by junior right-fielder Tyler Gentry. A wild pitch later in the inning gave Gentry the opportunity to advance home for a third run.

Diodati added another run to his season total off of a groundout by freshman third baseman Zane Denton.

ASU scored its first run in the top of the second with a single to right field by junior shortstop Cristopher DeGuzman, plating junior second baseman Dilan Espinal.

In the bottom of the third is where Diodati would pick up his ninth RBI of the season, singling through the right side to send sophomore left fielder T.J. Reeves home.

Denton flied out to center field, scoring one more run for Alabama in the third.

A two-run home run by Hornets sophomore outfielder A.J. Gardner in the top of the seventh brought ASU back in the game, 6-3.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Crimson Tide added four more runs to bring its total to 10. The four-run inning was highlighted by a two-run home run crushed over the left-center field wall by junior outfielder Jackson Tate.

ASU was unable to rally in the ninth, and the final score was 10-3 in favor of the Crimson Tide.

"I just don't really think we brought the mentality to the park today that we needed," Bohannon said. "I thought Alabama State outcompeted us but with that being said I'm really glad that we got the win today and did enough to come out on top and be 4-0 right now."

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Dylan Smith picked up the win for the Crimson Tide. Smith pitched two innings with one walk and two strikeouts, allowing only one hit and no runs.

Alabama's bullpen once again did solid work, allowing only three hits in six innings, walked three and had six strikeouts between four pitchers.

Junior righty Ryan Velazquez is credited with the loss for the Hornets. Velazquez pitched two and one-third innings, allowing six runs off of three hits and throwing four walks and a strikeout.

Alabama is now 4-0 on the year while ASU is 3-1.

Up next the Crimson Tide take a trip to Las Vegas to take on UNLV in a weekend series that starts on Friday (8:05 p.m. CT).