NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Alabama falls in the final two innings, allowing seven unanswered runs during this time, to enable Vanderbilt to secure the 9-7 rubber match victory thanks to a walk-off home run by the Commodores' right fielder in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Vanderbilt got out on the board early in this one with Commodores' infielder Riley Nelson drilling a solo shot over center field in the bottom of the first inning, making it a 1-0 ball game heading into the second inning.

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Nelson got the Commodores another run in the bottom of the third inning when he knocked an RBI single to bring home Vanderbilt’s outfielder Rigdon Rustan, which put the Commodores up 2-0 going into the fourth inning.

Alabama responded quickly in the top of the fourth inning when infielder Garrett Staton launched a three-run home run 393 feet over left to give the Crimson Tide its first lead of the day, with Staton’s home run putting the Tide ahead 3-2 going into the bottom half of the fourth inning.

The Crimson Tide added to their lead in the top of the sixth inning when another Alabama infielder hit a home run, this one being a two-run shot by first baseman Will Hodo to give the Senior his 13th home run of the year and the Tide a 5-2 advantage.

Following Hodo’s home run, the Tide’s designated hitter, Coleman Mizell, came away with an RBI single to center field, which drove home catcher Brady Neal and gave Alabama a 6-2 lead. Outfielder Bryce Fowler drove home one more run thanks to his RBI single to center field, which drove home infielder Jason Torres to put the Tide ahead by five runs going into the bottom of the sixth.

Alabama’s starting pitcher, Zane Adams, had an impressive start. The left-handed pitcher recorded five strikeouts and only allowed five hits and two runs throughout the six innings he pitched in the Tide's game three loss.

Vanderbilt attempted a comeback with the Commodores’ outfielder Braden Holcomb cutting into the Tide’s five-run lead when he knocked a solo home run over right center field to make it 7-3. Two batters later, Vanderbilt’s catcher Colin Barczi hit the second home run of the inning and the Commodores’ third home run of the ballgame, with this one being a two-run home run over right field to make it 7-5 going into the final inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Commodores tied this game up at seven after Brodie Johnston knocked a double to drive home two runners and make it 7-7, following Johnston’s RBIs on the very next at-bat Holcomb knocked a walk-off two-run home run to give Vanderbilt’s right fielder his second home run of the game and the Commodores a win, with the final score being 9-7.

Stat Leaders

Hits- Bryce Fowler (3)
Runs- Kade Snell (2)
RBIs- Garret Staton (3)
Strikeouts- Zane Adams (5)

Alabama falls to 36-12 on the season and 13-11 in SEC play, with the Tide returning to action on Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m., where the Crimson Tide will go on the road to take on Troy.

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Alabama Drops Road Series Against No.18 Vanderbilt

Alabama loses a five-run lead after conceding seven unanswered runs over the final two innings, with Vanderbilt winning the series in walk-off fashion.

Gallery Credit: Micah Nichols