TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- The Crimson Tide held on to beat Alabama second baseman Garret Staton's former team on Tuesday in their mid-week matchup against Samford, despite the Bulldogs rallying in the seventh, tacking on seven runs to cut the Alabama lead from 10-2 to 10-9.

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Alabama took advantage of Samford's inconsistent pitching. The Bulldogs' starting pitcher, Brooks Rice, walked three Crimson Tide batters, loading the bases. Alabama's Right Fielder, Bryce Fowler, knocked a single to left field to drive home Richie Bonomolo Jr., giving the Tide their first run of the matchup. The Crimson Tide failed to add to their lead, leaving three base runners stranded to close the first inning.

The Crimson Tide added to their one-run lead in the Second inning when Bonomolo Jr ripped a three-run home run over left field to increase the Tide's lead to four runs. This was the Crimson Tide's Center Fielder's third home run of the season, and the second since being moved from the nine spot to leadoff.

Following Bonomolo Jr's home run, the Tide was able to add one more run with Fowler again coming up big for the Tide with the Right Fielder driving home Third Baseman Jason Torres, on a double that hit the fence in center field.

Samford finally found some rhythm at the top of the third, with Samford being the one in this inning taking advantage of inconsistent pitching with two runners being walked. Alabama found themselves in a tough spot with bases loaded and zero outs. Alabama's right-handed pitcher Coulson Buchanan checked into the game to relieve Zach Kittrell, who started the inning. Buchanan hit Samford's Jackson Perry with a pitch to drive home Hayden Perry to give the Bulldogs their first run of the game. Cade Carr hit a sac fly out to center field to drive home Gus Gandy to cut the Tide's lead down to three runs going into the bottom of the third inning.

Much like the second inning, Alabama once again went on another scoring barrage, which saw the Tide bring in five runners thanks to a bomb to center field to drive home Brady Neal and Garret Staton. Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron's single to center-right field went ahead and brought home Bonomolo Jr. Lebron reached home following a wild pitch that went to the backstop.

Alabama's defense remained strong until Samford's pinch-hitter, Gatlin Pitts, knocked a three-run home run over left field in the top of the seventh inning, which cut the Tide's lead down to five runs. This was just the start of an inning that would see the Bulldogs score seven runs and cut Alabama's eight-run deficit down to one. This inning saw the Tide go through three pitchers and allow six hits to go along with the seven runs Alabama gave up in the top of the seventh. Thanks to a tag out by the Crimson Tide's Catcher Will Plattner, the Tide escaped the inning with a one-run lead.

Hagan Banks, the Crimson Tide's redshirt junior Pitcher, came in to relieve Tyler Fay in the 8th inning, where Banks dominated, finishing with two strikeouts while forcing the Bulldogs to leave one run stranded to end the top of the Eighth inning. In the bottom of the Eighth, Staton, the former Samford Second Baseman, drove Plattner home with his single to center field. This gave the Tide a two-run lead going into the final inning.

Alabama's closing pitcher Carson Ozmer finished the job for the Tide at the top of the ninth inning, with Ozmer calling his number and striking out the next three batters to close the game and secure Alabama's win.

Stat Leaders-

Hits- Torres (3)

Runs- Bonomolo Jr. (3)

Strikeouts- Ozmer and Buchanan (3)

RBIs- Bonomolo Jr. (3)

Alabama will improve to 26-4 on the season and will prepare for their road weekend series against In-state rivals No.16 Aubur,n with game one being on Friday, April 4th at Plainsman Park.

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