Alabama Crushes No. 4 Seed Alabama State 21-3 in Game Two of Tuscaloosa Regional

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama dominated game two of the Tuscaloosa Regional, defeating Alabama State 21-3. Four Tide players hit home runs, while eight Alabama batters scored at least one run. Six Crimson Tide players recorded at least two RBIs in the team's impressive 15-run victory.

Get our free mobile app

The Crimson Tide was led by outstanding hitting and strong pitching from Friday starter Tyler Fay, who allowed only three runs in the top of the third inning, thanks to a two-run homer by the Hornets. Fay finished the day scattering six hits and striking out eight batters over 5.2 innings, with all three runs allowed coming via home runs. Reliever Evan Steckmesser entered from the bullpen in the top of the sixth inning and pitched 1.1 scoreless, hitless innings, striking out one batter.

Alabama struck first in game two of the Tuscaloosa Regional, scoring the game's opening run in the bottom of the first inning. Shortstop Justin Lebron hit a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing home center fielder Bryce Fowler, who had led off with a triple to deep center. This gave the Tide a 1-0 lead entering the second inning.

In the second inning, first baseman Luke Vaughn launched a two-run homer over the left field fence, marking his ninth home run of the season and extending Alabama's lead to three runs heading into the third inning.

Alabama State responded in the top of the third inning, as center fielder Niguel Jenkins hit a two-run home run over left-center field, trimming the Crimson Tide's lead to just one run heading into the bottom of the third.

In the top of the fourth, Alabama State had a golden opportunity to tie or take the lead after Trey Callaway and Jackson Will opened the inning with back-to-back doubles. However, the next at-bat, the Tide turns a 3-6-1 double play. Hornets' second baseman Alex Espaillat then flied out to center field, ending the inning and leaving the tying run stranded at third base.

Alabama wasted no time adding to its lead in the bottom of the fourth. A well-placed bunt by the Crimson Tide's second baseman resulted in a single, followed by a wild pitch that allowed Holt to advance to second. Vaughn then drove in Holt with an RBI single, his third RBI of the night. A few batters later, Fowler brought Vaughn home from second base. The Tide continued to pile on, scoring four more runs on an RBI double from Neal, a wild pitch that allowed the left fielder to score, and a two-RBI single from Hines, giving Alabama a 9-2 lead entering the fifth inning.

The Crimson Tide extended its lead in the bottom of the fifth when Lebron blasted a three-run homer over left field— his 15th of the season —giving Alabama a commanding 10-run lead heading into the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Crimson Tide tacked on five more runs after Alabama State's bullpen struggled, issuing a walk and hitting two batters, while Hines scored on a wild pitch. Holt contributed an RBI single, Peyton Steele added a groundout RBI, Fowler hit a two-run homer, and Neal capped the inning with a solo shot to right field. Alabama led 18-3 entering the seventh.

Alabama scored three more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman outfielder Evan Taylor recorded the first hit of his collegiate career, a double down the left field line that drove in two runners, giving the Tide an 18-run lead heading into the eighth inning.

Alabama advances to the winners’ bracket and will face USC Upstate in the second game Saturday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.

Follow @Micahnichols0 on X (formerly known as Twitter) and tune into Tide100.9 for all your Alabama baseball, football, and basketball coverage.