Alabama Powers Their Way Past NDSU 9-7

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0) knocked four home runs en route to a 9-7 victory over North Dakota State (1-8).

Alabama starter Riley Quick earned the win, his third of the year.

Alabama starter Riley Quick began the game strong, striking out two and only walking one. Catcher Will Plattner ended the inning after gunning down NDSU right fielder Dante Smith as he attempted to steal second.

Alabama got on the board with a bang in the first, as Justin Lebron launched a one-out solo shot to left field on the first pitch he saw of the afternoon to put the Crimson Tide ahead 1-0.

In the second frame, Quick dropped the middle of the Bison order in 1-2-3 fashion, earning his third strikeout of the afternoon.

The Crimson Tide pounced on NDSU starter Logan Knight again in the home half of the inning, this time being Brennen Norton, who launched a solo shot to left field for his second jack in as many days. 2-0, Tide advantage.

The Bison began to fight back in the top of the third. Shortstop Jake Schaffner ripped a pitch back at Quick, ricocheting off his foot to allow catcher Evan Gustafon to score. However, the Tide still leads 2-1.

The Crimson Tide answered back in the bottom half of the frame. A Richie Bonomolo Jr. leadoff double set up Bryce Fowler with a prime RBI chance. Fowler capitalized, ripping a double of his own down the right field line to extend the Alabama lead to 3-1.

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North Dakota State refused to go down easily. Left fielder Colten Becker ripped a solo shot of his own to left field to pull back within one run. The Bison earned one more runner via a single, but couldn't add anymore runs to the scoreboard.

The Bison pitching staff did their job in the bottom of the fourth, tossing their first scoreless frame of the afternoon.

Alabama reliever Matthew Heiberger entered the game in the fifth, keeping the Bison off the basepaths, retiring all three batters he faced. Alabama still lead 3-2 headed into the home half of the frame.

Back swinging, the Crimson Tide offense tacked on some needed insurance runs thanks to a three-run blast by Brennen Norton, his second of the day and third of the series, to pull ahead to 6-2.

Both squads were held scoreless in the sixth to keep the lead at 6-2.

Hagan Banks entered the game in the seventh for the Tide, hanging another scoreless frame to maintain the Alabama advantage to four runs

Jason Torres capitalized on Banks' strong pitching in the bottom of the frame, tattooing a two-run jack to left field, extending Alabama's lead to 8-2.

In the eighth, reliever Beau Bryans entered the game for the Crimson Tide. NDSU loaded the bases against Bryans via a single, error, and HBP.

The HBP hit NDSU LF Colten Becker in the head. After some time on the ground, Becker stood up and received an applause from the Alabama faithful. However, Becker was pulled from the game as Sam Canton would take his place at first.

With one-out bases loaded and right-hander Noah Gordon digging in to bat for the Bison, the Crimson Tide brought in RHP Packy Bradley-Cooney to escape the jam.

Bradley-Cooney allowed a lone run via a walk, but struck out the next two batters to strand the bases juiced as Alabama now lead 8-3.

In the eighth, the Crimson Tide would tack on an extra insurance run via a Lebron single through the left side to score Bonomolo Jr, who doubled and stole third.

Packy Bradley-Cooney remained in the game to begin the ninth inning, however after a walk and a single, Alabama called on Tate Robertson to close the game with runners on the corners and zero outs.

Robertson got one runner out but allowed three runs to cross, prompting Alabama to bring in closer Carson Ozmer for the second straight night to close out the game.

The Bison continue their comeback effort with Ozmer in the game, designated Noah Gordon dropped a single into right field to tack on one more and pull within two runs.

Ozmer walked the following batter, and with the go-ahead run at first, the Tide coaching staff trusted their closer with the high-leverage action.

Ozmer earned the next two outs to avoid a meltdown and keep the Crimson Tide undefeated. Ozmer also earned his third save of the season.

The Crimson Tide will look to sweep the Bison tomorrow and improve to 12-0. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. CT.

For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.