Alabama’s Ten-Run Surge Propels 10-7 Win Over No. 11 Oklahoma

NORMAN, Okla. - No. 16 Alabama claimed game one over No. 11 Oklahoma, powered by a ten-run outburst in the first two innings that propelled the Crimson Tide to a 10-7 victory on Thursday.

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Alabama’s top contributor was leadoff batter and center fielder Bryce Fowler, who went 2-for-5 at the plate with four RBIs and two home runs.

Fowler jump-started the game for Alabama with a solo home run over left field on the very first pitch, his fifth of the season. Later in the inning, catcher John Lemm drove in Brady Neal with a two-out RBI single, giving Alabama a two-run lead going into the bottom of the first.

The Sooners responded in the bottom of the first, as shortstop Jaxon Willits delivered an RBI single to center field, trimming Alabama’s lead to 2-1 heading into the second inning.

Alabama’s offense erupted in the top of the second, scoring eight runs on three home runs by three different players. Fowler kicked off the barrage with a three-run shot to right field, marking his second homer of the day and sixth of the season. Shortly after, Neal collected his first RBI of the game with a single to center that brought home shortstop Justin Lebron. Third baseman Justin Torres followed with a two-run homer over left field, his fourth of the season and 32nd RBI. Left fielder Justin Osterhouse capped the inning with a two-run homer to left, giving Alabama a nine-run lead heading into the bottom of the second.

Tyler Fay delivered a solid outing, pitching six innings while allowing four runs on six hits, walking one, and striking out seven. Fay earned his sixth win of the season, improving to 6-2.

Oklahoma chipped away at Alabama’s nine-run lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs on two home runs. Designated hitter Nolan Stevens launched a solo shot over left field, and left fielder Trey Gambill followed with a two-run homer to right, cutting the lead to six heading into the sixth inning.

Reliever Sam Mitchell took over for Fay in the seventh, tossing two scoreless innings before allowing a solo home run to Oklahoma’s Alec Blair in the ninth and an RBI triple. Mitchell finished with three strikeouts, allowing three runs on four hits before Matthew Heiberger came out of the bullpen to close out the game.

Heiberger entered with a runner on third and two outs, striking out the first batter he faced to secure his second save of the season.

With the win, Alabama improves to 24-7 overall and 7-3 in SEC play, marking its ninth consecutive victory and seventh straight in conference action. The Crimson Tide will look to complete the sweep in game two, scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on Friday.

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