Plattner Comes up Big For the Tide in Game Three Win Over Florida

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – On Sunday, the Crimson Tide rolled to a seven-run win in comeback fashion over No. 18 Florida as Alabama completed a series sweep over the Gators for the first time since 2002.

In Sunday's game three, team captain Will Plattner delivered a crucial game-tying two-run home run in the top of the sixth, igniting a seven-run inning that ultimately secured Alabama's victory.

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Plattner, who was named Alabama's team captain before the season, hasn't started his redshirt junior year to his ideal standards. The catcher started only eight of the season's first 24 games, recording five runs, five hits, and three RBIs in 31 at-bats, with a batting average of .161, going into Sunday's matchup.

Today, however, Plattner came up big for the Crimson Tide. The team captain, slotted into the lineup as the designated hitter, delivered in the bottom of the sixth inning, with Alabama trailing 4-2. Plattner hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot over left field that struck the top of the scoreboard.

The home run not only tied the game but also sparked the Tide's scoring surge in the sixth inning. Later, right fielder Brady Neal knocked a grand slam, and Alabama finished the bottom half of the sixth with seven runs, taking a 9-4 lead into the seventh inning.

Alabama's head coach, Rob Vaughn, was asked about Plattner's performance following the Tide's game three win.

"I talked to my wife when I got home from the no-hitter, and she didn't even talk about the no-hitter. She looked at me and said, ' Don't ever take Will Plattner out of the lineup again." Vaughn added, "I think all these guys will vouch for you, they're going to do the work hard, and you know he does and has actually nothing to show for it, just wasn't playing great baseball for the first month of the year."

Vaugh continued, saying, "And I think some guys get into that mode and they try harder, or maybe they get mad at us coaches because they're not getting enough opportunities. Like, Will [Plattner] was incredibly mature when this guy [Brady Neal] is a catcher hitting .380, and John Lemm hitting middle of our order slamming basebal's he [Will Plattner] was mature enough to be like hey I don't deserve those at-bats right now but I'm gonna keep showing up and when you need me I'll be ready and we put him in there last weekend and he played great."

Plattner and the Crimson Tide will enjoy the series sweep before traveling to Huntsville to take on Austin Peay. This weekend, the Tide will host No. 4 Auburn in a series, with game one scheduled for Friday, March 27, at 6 p.m.

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