No. 20 Alabama’s Bullpen Holds Sturdy to Finish Series Sweep of High Point

The Crimson Tide is 8-0 on the new season after holding off the Panthers one more time at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

Austin Hannon | Feb 26, 2023

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — So far, so good for Alabama Baseball.

The 20th-ranked Crimson Tide (8-0) remains undefeated in the early going of the new season after finishing up a weekend series sweep of the High Point Panthers.

Alabama won on Sunday, 4-2.

“Really glad to get a sweep,” Crimson Tide head coach Brad Bohannon said. “High Point’s got a nice club. They’re going to be very successful in the Big South. Really classy program. I thought they were well coached and competed at a really high level. […] Excited to be 8-0 [and] proud of the kids.”

Alabama was scheduled to play Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif. until the series was canceled due to inclement weather. The Crimson Tide instead scheduled the Panthers (3-4) at home — and took care of business for the eighth time this season.

RHP Jacob McNairy started on the mound and put together a solid start. The veteran went five innings, allowing two runs on five hits. McNairy struck out three while not allowing a walk. He is now 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA this season.

The Alabama bullpen was sensational. Hagan Banks, Kade Woods and Riley Quick pitched a combined four innings, allowing just two hits while striking out seven High Point batters. Woods, a freshman, was responsible for five of those in two innings pitched.

“The story of the game was the bullpen,” Bohannon said. “Hagan Banks, Kade [Woods] and Riley [Quick] were outstanding out of the [bullpen]. That’s going to be really important because we’re going to be in a lot of tight games as the season goes and we get into league play.”

“I kind of feel like our bullpen is like the lineup. […] Right now, there’s several guys we feel really good about when they’re in the ballgame.”

A big key in the game were walks. The Crimson Tide didn’t walk a single batter all afternoon, while the Panthers walked 11 Alabama hitters.

However, the Crimson Tide left 11 runners on base — including the bases loaded twice.

Alabama only amounted to four hits, including a home run off the bat of freshman Colby Shelton in the third inning. Ed Johnson and Bryce Eblin each recorded an RBI as well.

“Didn’t think we were very sharp offensively today,” Bohannon said. “I certainly understand we’re not going to score 10 runs every game but they gave us nine walks. Thought we chased too many pitches outside of the strike zone. Really inefficient offensively. […] You look at over the eight games — you have to be happy with the offense. […] I expect that after a day off tomorrow, we’ll be tough to get out on Wednesday.”

Next up for the Crimson Tide is a midweek contest with Jacksonville State on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.

Following that, Alabama will be at home again next weekend for a series with the UIC Flames.

“I like our club,” Bohannon said. “I think we’re pretty good.”

How It Happened

Final Score: Alabama 4 | High Point 2

Ninth Inning

FINAL: Alabama 4 | High Point 2

The Crimson Tide is 8-0. Solid start from Jacob McNairy, great work from the bullpen and *just* enough key hits to pick up another series sweep. All things are pointing to a good season in Tuscaloosa — so far.

Double off the wall for High Point's Blake Sutton.

I've said it so many times. Jim Jarvis is an MLB-level shortstop in the field. Call at first is under review.

Call is confirmed. One away. What a stupid play by Jim Jarvis. In a good way.

T9 | Incredibe glove work from Jimmy on this one 👀

4-2 Alabama#RollTide || 📺 SEC Network+ pic.twitter.com/Le289PW6yh
— Alabama Baseball (@AlabamaBSB) February 26, 2023

Eighth Inning

Strike 'em out, throw 'em out for the Panthers. Another baserunner left on for the Crimson Tide. RHP Riley Quick will look for a save in the ninth to earn the series sweep.

Alabama 4 | High Point 2 | End 8th

One-out walk for Drew Williamson.

Two innings, five K's for Kade Woods. Crimson Tide bullpen stepping up big this afternoon.

Alabama 4 | High Point 2 | Mid 8th

Kade Woods has a strong future ahead of him. Freshman throwing 95 MPH. Four strikeouts through 1.2 innings.

Seventh Inning

Mac Guscette and Bryce Eblin foul out and strike out, respectively, to end the inning. Got to score runs with the bases loaded and one out. Might not hurt the Crimson Tide today, but it will down the line.

Alabama 4 | High Point 2 | End 7th

Caden Rose walks. Bases loaded for Mac Guscette with one away.

Ed Johnson walks. Two on, one out for pinch-hitter Caden Rose.

William Hamiter bunts Jim Jarvis into scoring position. Looks like Brad Bohannon wants that three-run lead.

Jarvis draws a full-count walk to start the bottom half of the seventh.

Three up, three down for Kade Woods in the seventh. Jarvis, Hamiter and Johnson coming up for the Crimson Tide. Time to stretch.

Alabama 4 | High Point 2 | Mid 7th

Kade Woods will take over the mound for Hagan Banks.

Sixth Inning

Three up, three down for the Crimson Tide in the sixth. RHP Kade Woods will pitch the seventh.

Alabama 4 | High Point 2 | End 6th

One hit is all for the Panthers in the sixth. Hagan Banks adjusted well after the lead-off knock. Top of the lineup coming for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama 4 | High Point 2 | Mid 6th

Fifth Inning

RHP Hagan Banks will take over for Jacob McNairy on the mound.

Final Line for McNairy: 5 IP (55 P), 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Bryce Eblin flies out to left field. Think the Crimson Tide would've liked to scrape a couple more across there.

Alabama 4 | High Point 2 | End 5th

Mac Guscette HBP. Bases loaded, two outs for Bryce Eblin.

Ed Johnson continues his strong weekend, driving in Andrew Pinckney.

Alabama 4 | High Point 2 | Bottom 5th, 1 Out

Four-pitch walk for Jim Jarvis. Two on, nobody out for William Hamiter.

Andrew Pinckney legs out an infield single to leadoff the bottom of the fifth.

Jacob McNairy gets out of any more trouble — and his day will likely end there. Pinckney, Jarvis and Hamiter coming up for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama 3 | High Point 2 | Mid 5th

Base hit up the middle for Javon Fields adds another for the Panthers.

Alabama 3 | High Point 2 | Top 5th, 2 Outs

Sacrifice fly for Brett Ahalt. Inches from being a grand slam.

Alabama 3 | High Point 1 | Top 5th, 2 Outs

Double off the bat of the Panthers' Cole Singsank. Patrick Matthews is HBP, and the bases are loaded as High Point's lineup flips over. Just one out.

One-out base hit off the bat of High Point's Trenton Pallas.

Pallas is picked off at first.

After review, Pallas is ruled safe on the pick-off attempt.

Fourth Inning

The Crimson Tide adds two more runs in the fourth. Jacob McNairy looking to keep his shutout going in the fifth.

Alabama 3 | High Point 0 | End 4th

Colby Shelton is HBP. Two on, two out for Drew Williamson.

Bryce Eblin comes through with a sacrifice fly. Then a wild pitch brings Will Hodo home.

Alabama 3 | High Point 0 | Bottom 4th, 2 Outs

Guscette is HBP. Bases loaded for Bryce Eblin.

Ed Johnson walks, Will Hodo with an infield single. Two on, one out for Mac Guscette.

Jacob McNairy keeps the Panthers off the board again. Hamiter, Johnson and Hodo coming up.

Alabama 1 | High Point 0 | Mid 4th

Third Inning

Jim Jarvis pops out to end the third. But the Crimson Tide grabbed an early lead.

Alabama 1 | High Point 0 | End 3rd

Two-out walk for Andrew Pinckney.

Colby Shelton. Making plays in the field and at the plate. His solo shot to left puts the Crimson Tide on top first.

Alabama 1 | High Point 0 | Bottom 3rd, 1 Out

Jacob McNairy allows the one hit — but that is all. Eblin, Shelton and Williamson due up in the third for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama 0 | High Point 0 | Mid 3rd

What a great diving catch on the hot corner by Colby Shelton. True freshman.

First hit of the ballgame comes off the bat of High Point's Cole Singsank.

Second Inning

The freshman Gus Hughes is looking good on the mound so far for the Panthers. Using his changeup well alongside his fastball.

Alabama 0 | High Point 0 | End 2nd

Another smooth inning for Jacob McNairy. Johnson, Hodo and Guscette coming up for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama 0 | High Point 0 | Mid 2nd

First Inning

William Hamiter hits one to the warning track for a flyout. Tough not to get on the board after back-to-back walks to leadoff the inning.

Alabama 0 | High Point 0 | End 1st

Back-to-back fielder's choice outs. Runners on the corners for William Hamiter with two away.

Drew Williamson walks.

Colby Shelton walks.

Quick 1-2-3 inning to start for Jacob McNairy. Showing excellent control early on. Shelton, Williamson and Pinckney will start it off for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama 0 | High Point 0 | Mid 1st

Pregame

Today's Umpires:

HP: Nathan Huber
1B: Eddie Loggins
2B: Guss Curtis
3B: Ray Gregson

Starters for Alabama:

1. Colby Shelton (3B)
2. Drew Williamson (1B)
3. Andrew Pinckney (CF)
4. Jim Jarvis (SS)
5. William Hamiter (RF)
6. Ed Johnson (DH)
7. Will Hodo (LF)
8. Mac Guscette (C)
9. Bryce Eblin (2B)
On the Mound: RHP Jacob McNairy (2.25 ERA)

Sunday Crimson.

No. 20 #Alabama (7-0) looks to finish off the series sweep of #HighPoint (3-3) here at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.

I’ll have updates all afternoon for @BamaCentral. pic.twitter.com/5JkskH2Box
— Austin Hannon (@austinhannon_) February 26, 2023

Goin’ for the sweep on Sunday!

🆚 High Point
📍 #TheJoe
⏰ 1 p.m. CT
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📻 Crimson Tide Sports Network
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— Alabama Baseball (@AlabamaBSB) February 26, 2023