Alabama Drops First Series of the Season Against No.1 Tennessee on Saturday

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Crimson Tide lost their first series of the season after a poor performance against Tennessee in game three of their three-game series on Saturday, March 22nd at Alabama's Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Tide gave up nine runs, went through seven different pitchers, and allowed three home runs.

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Alabama's bats were non-existent in the first four innings, with Tennessee starting pitcher Tegan Kuhns dominating, allowing no hits. Kuhns had a strong performance against the Tide, with 5 strikeouts, one allowed hit, and no runs allowed in 4.1 innings.

Bobby Alcock was the Crimson Tide's starting pitcher in Game 3 versus Tennessee, pitching 2.1 innings before being replaced by Matthew Heiberger after Alcock allowed two home runs in the third inning. Heiberger entered and pitched an inning before being replaced by Braylon Myers in the top of the fourth inning.

Alabama's defense failed to stop the Vols, giving up 10 hits and 5 runs in the first 5 innings. The Tide also went through three pitchers during this period, whilst Tennessee stayed with their starter until the bottom of the fifth inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, Crimson Tide redshirt junior pitcher Hagan Banks came in to relieve Braylon Myers, who had put on a solid effort through 1.2 innings, allowing only two hits, one run, and one strikeout. Banks entered the game and immediately went to work, striking out two batters in his first inning on the mound.

The bottom of the 5th and 6th inning saw the Tide show some life with Kade Snell ending the Tide's Hitless streak thanks to the Right Fielder's single down the right side which advanced Will Hodo to third base, setting the Tide up in scoring position with only one out in the inning, unfortunately, the Tide didn't capitalize with Tennessee Pitcher Brayden Krenzel coming to the mound to relieve Kuhns, and he didn't disappoint with Krenzel getting two quick outs with one being a strikeout.

Alabama did the same thing in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Third Baseman Jason Tores and Designated Hitter Coleman Mizell both hit doubles, putting runners on first and second with two outs, but Will Hodo struck out shortly after, leaving another two runners stranded on base.

Tennessee didn't take long to add to their lead, going on a scoring barrage in the top of the seventh inning that saw the Volunteers score four runs, including a base-clearing double by Hunter Ensley that brought in three runs, increasing their lead to nine runs with two innings remaining in regulation.

The Crimson Tide were unable to rally, but they did not allow Tennessee to finish the shutout, with Alabama scoring for the first time in the game when Lebron knocked Bonomolo Jr home when he grounded out to first.

Stat Leaders in Today's Game

Hits- Snell (2)

Runs-  Norton, and Bonomolo Jr (1)

RBIs-  Lebron, and Plattner (1)

Strikeouts- Finateri (3)

Alabama will fall to 22-2 on the season when the Tide lose their first series. The Crimson Tide will return to action on Tuesday, March 25th at 6:00 p.m. CT, when they face North Alabama at Toyota Field in Huntsville.

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