Alabama Baseball Defeats Middle Tennessee

Alabama baseball bounced back following its weekend series loss against Kentucky. The Crimson Tide defeated Middle Tennessee 10-4 in Huntsville, AL where it played at the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Jacob McNairy started the game strong, pitching three shutout innings before running into trouble in the top of the fourth. The Blue Raiders' J.T. Mabry led off with a single into right center field before Brett Coker advanced him to third base with a single that slipped through the right side.

Jeremiah Boyd drilled a three-run homer over the fence in center field to get MTSU on the board first. A double play ended the top of the fourth inning but not before another Blue Raider run crossed the plate. The Crimson Tide trailed 4-0 going into the bottom of the fourth inning.

Alabama Offense

Alabama responded well as its offense got hot. Jim Jarvis singled to right field before William Hamiter hit a triple into center field, allowing Jarvis to score. Ed Johnson singled through the left side which cut into the MTSU lead 4-2 after Hamiter scored. With one out, Andrew Pinckney hit a single which put Johnson in scoring position.

Middle Tennessee head coach Jerry Meyers pulled his starting pitcher, Jalen Wirtz, and replaced him with Patrick Johnson who inherited runners at first and second base. A new pitcher was no issue for Tommy Seidl who doubled into right field, allowing Johnson to score and moved Pinckney to third. Mac Guscette hit a sac-fly into centerfield which scored Pinckney. Alabama tied up the game 4-4 at the end of the fourth inning.

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Pinckney hit a solo homer in the sixth inning to put Alabama up 5-4. Bama offense exploded once again in the eighth inning. Hamiter drew a leadoff walk. Johnson reached on a fielder's choice and an error by the second baseman allowed Hamiter to advance to second. Pinckney also reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases for Seidl who drove in a run with a single through the right side. Guscette reached on a pitching error which allowed Johnson to score.

With bases loaded still, Colby Shelton drew a walk which scored Pinckney. Will Hodo came in to pinch hit and grounded out to second base which allowed Seidl to score. Drew Williamson also grounded out but scored Guscette. Jarvis was hit by a pitch with two outs and Shelton on third base. Max Williams came in to pinch hit but struck out which ended the inning. The Crimson Tide led 10-4 going into the last inning.

Alabama Pitching

Zane Probst replaced McNairy in the fifth inning and kept the Blue Raiders off the board. He recorded two strikeouts and ended with a .93 ERA on the night. Probst earned the win in his two innings pitched. The Alabama bullpen did its job the rest of the night as MTSU didn't score the rest of the game. Sophomore transfer from UAB Aidan Moza pitched the seventh inning. Riley Quick got one inning of work in the eighth inning and one strikeout. Alton Davis came in as the closer to seal the victory for the Tide.

Next Game

Alabama travels to Fayetteville, AR this weekend to face the sixth-ranked Razorbacks. Friday's first pitch is set for 6:30 C.T. and will air on the SEC Network+.