Tide Falls 5-3 in Game one of Hattiesburg Regional Against Miami

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Alabama falls to Miami 5-3 in game one of the Hattiesburg Regional, with two home runs accounting for four of the Hurricanes' five runs in Friday's loss.

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Due to a weather delay, the game started later than planned, but the Hurricanes seemed unfazed. Miami scored three runs in the top of the first inning after Alabama's outfielder Bryce Fowler blocked Miami's Max Galvin's rocket to right field that almost went over the fence. However, Fowler was unable to field the ball, resulting in runners at first and third, which allowed Daniel Cuvet to come through with a three-run shot to give the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the first inning.

Alabama was unable to find any momentum on the offensive side of the ball throughout the game with the Tide’s only scoring coming in the fourth inning, with the Tide only being able to come away with seven hits throughout the game with shortstop Justin Lebron being the only player to record multiple hits in Friday’s loss.

Miami, on the other hand, added to its lead thanks to an RBI single by infielder Renzo Gonzalez to make it a four-run deficit over the Tide going into the bottom of the third.

Alabama showed some life on the offensive front in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring three runs on a groundout RBI by catcher Brady Neal to drive home outfielder Kade Snell, followed by a huge 2RBI double to left field by second baseman Brennan Norton. This gave the score a 4-3 lead heading into the fifth inning.

Miami’s left fielder, Max Galvin, answered back with a solo home run over right center field to open the fifth inning, with Alabama’s starting pitcher, Riley Quick, giving up his second home run of the game, making the score 5-3.

Quick had a nice outing despite giving up five earned runs in Friday's game one, restricting Miami to seven hits and posting six strikeouts. The right-handed pitcher also recorded his 100th career strikeout with the Crimson Tide. Quick had a big inning in the top of the sixth, striking out two batters and causing Miami to leave baserunners on the corners stranded.

Matthew Heiberger was called up from the bullpen in the top of the seventh inning to relieve Quick, who pitched 108 pitches in Friday’s loss. Heiberger went on to force the Hurricanes to go 1-2-3 at the top of the seventh inning with the Tide still trailing by two runs going into the bottom half of the seventh inning.

The left-handed pitcher went on to record three strikeouts while not allowing a single hit or run during his three innings on the mound.

Alabama attempted to cut into Miami’s two-run lead with Richie Bonomolo Jr. and Jason Torres on first and second base with two outs. Unfortunately, the Tide was unable to advance the runners after the Hurricanes struck out of the Crimson Time for the ninth time of the contest to close the inning with Miami still holding on to its 5-3 lead going into the final inning of play. The Tide went on to strike out ten times in Friday's loss.

Alabama’s last-inning comeback attempt falls short with Snell’s bomb to center field not having enough air to make it over the fence, with the Hurricanes' center fielder making the catch and giving the Tide its first loss of the postseason.

Stat Leaders

Hits- Justin Lebron (2)
RBIs- Brennan Norton (2)
Strikeouts- Riley Quick (6)

Alabama (41-17) drops game one of the Hattiesburg Regional with the Tide still having a chance to redeem themselves tomorrow against the loser of No.1 seed Southern Miss vs No.4 seed Columbia in a win-or-go-home matchup at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

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