Alabama Falls 10-7 Against No.1 Tennessee in Game 2 on Friday

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Tennessee proved too much for the Tide, as Alabama's last-inning comeback was insufficient to seal the series in game two of their three-game series versus the Volunteers. Alabama had an unpleasant evening on the mound, running through eight pitchers in Friday's 10-7 loss to Tennessee.

Get our free mobile app

Alabama struggled early in the contest, going hitless until the bottom of the third inning. The Crimson Tide offense wasn't the only one suffering early, with Alabama's defense allowing 5 runs in two innings, the heaviest blow coming in the first when Tennessee scored three runs.

Crimson Tide's starting pitcher, Riley Quick, faced challenges in tonight's game, struggling to find his rhythm. During a tough two-inning stretch, the Vols scored five runs on six hits against Quick. In addition to these struggles, Quick recorded five errors and walked three batters.

Alabama's junior pitcher, JT Blackwood, took the mound for Quick in the third inning and held the Volunteers scoreless for the next two innings. During his impressive performance, Blackwood recorded three strikeouts, allowed only one hit, and walked one batter.

Once the bottom of the third inning began, Tennessee's defense appeared less invincible. Alabama's catcher, Will Plattner, registered the first hit of the game for the Crimson Tide. Shortly after, Alabama's left fielder, Richie Bonomolo Jr., hit a solid line drive single to center field, placing Plattner in scoring position at third base. Following this, Bonomolo Jr. successfully stole second base after Tennessee's shortstop overthrew the Vols' third baseman, allowing Plattner to score. Moments later, Bonomolo Jr advanced home when Kade Snell grounded out to first base, cutting the Volunteers' advantage to three runs in the bottom of the third inning.

The game was quiet through the fourth and top of the fifth innings until the Crimson Tide scored one run in the bottom of the fifth, with Bonomolo Jr advancing to third on a wild throw to second base when the Center Fielder recorded his second steal of the day. A couple of pitches later, Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron drove Bonomolo Jr home with a single line drive to center field.

Tennessee broke their scoring drought in the top of the seventh inning when designated hitter Dalton Bargo hit a steamer out to center field, bringing home Tennessee's first baseman Andrew Fischer and increasing their advantage from two to three runs.

Alabama rallied with a run of their own, as Crimson Tide Third Baseman Jason Torres snuck a line drive into Center Field to bring home Lebron, making the score 6-4 with two innings remaining in regulation.

The game appeared to be tightly contested as it headed into the top of the eighth inning, but the Volunteers then exploded offensively, scoring four runs. Tennessee kicked off their scoring with a two-run homer by third baseman Dean Curley, which sailed over the left field fence. Following the home run, Alabama made a pitching change, replacing Connor Ball with Beau Bryans. However, this change didn't halt Tennessee's momentum; Bargo came up to bat with the bases loaded and hit a powerful shot to center field, bringing Abernathy and Ensley home. As a result, the score shifted to 10-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning.

Alabama attempted to rally in the final inning with a one-run homer by the Crimson Tide's Designated Hitter Coleman Mizell. The Tide then knocked in one more run on a line drive to center field to bring Torres home, but that was all the Tide could do, as Alabama left two runners stranded on base after Plattner struck out.

Stat Leaders in Today's Game

Hits- Lebron, Snell, and Bonomolo Jr (2)

Runs- Plattner, and Bonomolo Jr (2)

RBIs- Fowler (2)

HRs- Mizell (1)

Strikeouts- Morris (4)

Steals- Lebron, and Bonomolo Jr

What's Next?

Alabama will seek to win the series in game three, with both teams having won one game each, Alabama defeating the Volunteers 6-5 Thursday night and Tennessee winning tonight.

The opening pitch for Saturday's game between Alabama and Tennessee will be at 2:00 p.m. CDT in Sewell Thomas Stadium.