Tide Comeback Falls Short Against Aggies in Series Opener

The Texas A&M Aggies beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 3-2, to take the Game 1 thriller Friday evening. 

“We had our chances in the seventh and eighth and just couldn't get a big hit. You know, when it mattered, and that's kind of the difference in the game. Credit to their bullpen that made some pitches when it counted, and we just didn't do enough offensively,” said Alabama baseball head coach Bo Bohannon. 

Hillcrest High School alumnus Garrett McMillan started for the Tide. In his outing, he pitched 6.0 innings, picking up six hits and three earned runs, walking one batter and striking out  nine.

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Alabama got on the board first, after a base hit from designated hitter Owen Diodati and an RBI double from right fielder Andrew Pinckney in the bottom of the second inning. 

Aggies right fielder Brett Minnich messed up the Tide. He hit an RBI double in the top of the fourth inning to tie up the game at one; then, gave Texas A&M the lead in the top of the sixth inning, hitting a two-run homerun to right field. 

Jake Leger came in for McMillan in the top of the seventh inning. Leger gave up a hit and a walk before Hunter Hoopes entered in relief. 

The Tide started a comeback, drawing three walks and an error on Texas A&M pitcher Jacob Palisch scored Alabama a run; however, a close groundout by Tommy Seidl ended the inning just shy of a comeback. 

Once again, Alabama had a chance to tie the game or take the lead in the eighth inning, after loading up the bases with two outs: Diodati reached, Drew Williamson walked, and Pinckney singled. Unfortunately for the Tide, Bryce Eblin struck out to end the inning and halt momentum late. 

Brock Guffey closed out the game for Hunter Hoopes. Hoopes finished his night pitching two innings with no hits, no runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. 

Guffey finished his night with one hit and two strikeouts to keep the Tide within one. 

In the Tide's last chance to work some magic, Pinch hitter William Hamiter grounded out, while shortstop Jim Jarvis and Seidl both struck out to fall short of the comeback.

“We just got to put it all together,” said Bohannon.

The Alabama Crimson Tide continues its series with Texas A&M on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at The Joe. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. CST. The game will be aired on SEC Network and broadcasted on Tide 100.9, plus the Tide 100.9 app.