TROY, Ala. - No. 23 Alabama (37-12) defeated No. 19 Troy (34-14) in a Top-25 midweek matchup, despite losing their star shortstop Justin Lebron early in the game. This victory marked Alabama's perfect 13-0 record in midweek games this season and completed their series sweep against the Trojans, following the Crimson Tide's 3-1 win over Troy on March 5 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said postgame that Lebron was removed from the game precautionarily. Lebron should be ready for this weekend's series in Tuscaloosa against Georgia.

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The Crimson Tide started this game with a bang after Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron hit a solo shot over left field, with the infielder going yard for the 16th time this season. With this home run being the beginning of a downpour of runs, the Tide scored four runs in the top of the first thanks to infielder Garret Staton and designated hitter Coleman Mizell. Staton’s single out to left field brought home two runners to put the visitors ahead 4-0 going into the bottom half of the inning.

Alabama continued its strong performance into the second inning, with left fielder Kade Snell hitting a home run over the right-center field on a full count, driving in three runs for the Tide, bringing the score to 7-0. This home run marked Snell's ninth of the season.

JT Blackwood made his seventh start of the season on the mound for the Tide on Tuesday. The junior pitcher had a strong outing early in the game, holding the Trojans hitless for the first two innings. Troy showed some offensive life in the bottom of the third, but Blackwood responded by retiring the Troy offense with two strikeouts, forcing a pop-up that left two Trojans stranded on base.

Blackwood’s day ended in the third inning when Aeden Finateri was called in from the bullpen to relieve Blackwood, who finished the day with two strikeouts while only allowing two hits and no runs throughout three innings.

Finateri pitched the next two innings, recording two strikeouts and allowing one run. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Freshman reliever Connor Lehman was called in from the bullpen to replace Blackwood on the mound.

Kade Snell drove in another run with his single to center field, bringing home Jon Young Jr., who came in to finish the game after the Tide's star shortstop was injured while sliding into second base. Lebron finished the day going 2-for-2 at the plate, with a double and a one-run home run. Snell's fourth RBI of the game put the Tide ahead 8-0 as they entered the bottom of the fourth inning.

Troy got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning when center fielder Steven Meier came away with an RBI single to make it an 8-1 game. Following Meier’s RBI, the Trojans were able to load the bases after back-to-back walks from Lehman, resulting in Austin Morris being called out from the bullpen and forcing his first batter to a ground out to retire the inning, leaving the Trojans with three runners stranded on base. 

In the top of the seventh inning, Alabama added to its seven-run lead when Staton doubled to left field and brought home center fielder Richie Bonomolo Jr. to give the Tide an eight-run lead and the second baseman his third RBI of the night as the visitors held a 9-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Snell added to an incredible day with the team captain picking up his fifth RBI of the night in the top of the eighth inning when he singled to left field, bringing home Young Jr to make it 10-1 going into the bottom half of the eighth. 

Coulson Buchanan came out of the bullpen to close out the final inning for the Tide, as Troy attempted a late rally. However, Alabama's nine-run lead proved too substantial for the Trojans. Meier added his second RBI of the game when he singled to center field, driving in Troy’s second and final run. Buchanan retired the inning with two strikeouts, resulting in Alabama's 10-2 victory over the top-20 ranked Trojans.

Stat Leaders 

• Hits- Kade Snell (4)
• RBIs- Kade Snell (5)
• HRs- Kade Snell (three-run HR) and Justin Lebron (one-run HR)

Alabama improves to 37-12 on the season after their impressive victory over Troy on Tuesday night. The Crimson Tide will look to host No.6 Georgia this weekend for the Tide’s final home series of the regular season, with Rob Vaughn’s squad in need of a series win to help the Crimson Tide’s chances at hosting an NCAA regional.

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