Alabama Walks Off South Alabama in Extras

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On an evening where upsets across the nation poured in, the No. 12 Crimson Tide staved off South Alabama 6-5 in 10 innings thanks to a Kade Snell walk-off solo shot to advance to 21-1 on the season.

Alabama drew first blood in the second via a Will Plattner double off the wall, scoring Justin Lebron.

In the top of the second, Tide starter JT Blackwood exited the game somewhat prematurely, as Aeden Finateri entered the game in relief. Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said postgame that the plan was to keep Blackwood's outing short but pulled him due to Blackwood falling ill following the first inning. Vaughn had no update on his status postgame.

Another scoreless frame in the third made it seem like the Crimson Tide were headed toward another pitcher's duel. However, the Jaguars had a plan of their own.

South Alabama took a loud lead in Tuscaloosa in the top of the fourth via a pair of two-RBI singles from Greg Pettay and Brennan Holt to jump out to a 4-1 advantage.

The Crimson Tide were unable to respond the South Alabama offensive in the bottom of the frame.

Looking to swing momentum back towards themselves, Alabama called on Coulson Buchanan, who allowed one hit in the fourth inning before picking up the final out, to get a strong top of the fifth.

Buchanan answered the call, punching out two while retiring the South Alabama lineup to grab a chunk of momentum in the fifth.

In the home half of the frame, Jason Torres provided the jumpstart the Crimson Tide offense so desperately desired. A two-out Justin Lebron walk and Coleman Mizell single put two runners on for the third baseman, who came through with a blooper into shallow left field to score Lebron.

The Crimson Tide wouldn't stop there. Following a South Alabama pitching change, Will Hodo dug in and continued his clutch hitting at the dish for Alabama. The first baseman launched a pitch 108 MPH off the bat into right field for his seventh jack of the year to give the Crimson Tide a 5-4 lead.

Both offenses fell back into hibernation until the top of the ninth inning, when down to their last two outs, South Alabama's John Smith ripped a no-doubt home run to even up the game in Tuscaloosa.

Carson Ozmer picked up the final two outs of the inning with no more damage. However, the Crimson Tide couldn't respond in the bottom of the inning.

Alabama called on Austin Morris in the tenth, and he delivered, fanning one batter while facing the minimum to send the Tide to the bottom of the tenth with a chance to end the game with one swing.

With one out in the tenth, Kade Snell punished a 3-0 pitch, launching it to left field to walk off the Jaguars 6-5 in 10 innings.

Alabama welcomes No. 1 Tennessee to Sewell-Thomas Stadium on Thursday.

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.