Alabama Drops Second Game of the Series to Kentucky

The Crimson Tide left 12 runners on base as the Wildcats scored at least one run in four consecutive innings.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — There was more offense in the second game of the series, but Alabama baseball came up short as the Kentucky Wildcats won 9-5.

"Really poor effort by our club today," head coach Brad Bohannon said after the game. "We just didn't play well in every area. Kentucky's a good team; we walked them and hit them nine times.

"If we want a different result tomorrow we have to play better."

Kentucky's offense got on the board first in the second inning when Ryan Waldschmidt reached safely on a fielder's choice, then advanced to third on a single from Chase Stanke. 

With runners on the corners and two outs, Alabama pitcher Luke Holman threw a wild pitch, allowing Waldschmidt to score the first run of the game.

The Wildcats proceeded to score at least one run for four consecutive innings, capped off by a three-run fifth inning. Kentucky did its damage by playing "small ball," using singles and bunts to move runners over and bring them across the plate.

It didn't take too long for the Alabama offense to produce runs of its own. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Dom Tamez and Colby Shelton hit consecutive singles to start, then Tamez was driven home with a single from Andrew Pinckney, who went 2-for-4 on the day.

Pinckney was later thrown out on a fielder's choice, but Shelton scored the second run and Max Williams reached first base safely.

Fast forward to the bases being loaded with two outs, and Ed Johnson was hit by a pitch, forcing Williams home for the third and final run of the inning. 

Still, Kentucky responded to Alabama's scoring burst with the aforementioned three-run inning of its own. It was 7-3 after five innings.

The Wildcats added two more runs in the top of the seventh inning to make the score 9-3, but the Tide was able to load the bases once again in the bottom half. With two outs, William Hamiter hit a ground ball to the first baseman, who could only get Hamiter out. Tamez scored his second run of the game and everyone else advanced.

Jim Jarvis, who went 2-for-5 for the game, drove in Shelton with a single of his own to make the score 9-5. After Jarvis stole second, Alabama had two runners in scoring position with Will Hodo at the plate.

Unfortunately, Hodo would strike out swinging, leaving two of 12 Crimson Tide baserunners stranded.

"We out-hit them 12-9 and lost 9-5," Bohannon said about the runners left on base. "Kentucky's fouling off two-strike pitches and found a way to put the ball in play, and we've been terrible.

"Some of our at-bats with a runner a third and less than two outs have been terrible."

Kentucky's Austin Strickland was credited with the win while Holman suffered his first loss of the season.

Alabama's last chance to get a win against Kentucky will be on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

See also: Full-Court Press: Takeaways from Alabama Basketball in the Sweet 16

BamaCentral Courtside: No. 5 San Diego State 71, No. 1 Alabama 64

Veteran Physicality Becomes Alabama Basketball's Ultimate Undoing