Trio of Pitchers Help Alabama Baseball One-Hit Ball State in Sunday’s 6-0 Win
Alabama baseball used three arms to one-hit Ball State in the Crimson Tide’s 6-0, shutout win over the Cardinals, earning the Sunday victory while also claiming the series. With the win, UA improves to 5-2 overall.
"It was a really good win for us today behind Connor (Shamblin)," said Bohannon. "The pitching was outstanding. Connor did a great job with throwing his breaking ball for a strike for five no-hit innings. Casey Cobb came in and really attacked with his fastball and commanded it to both sides, and then Jeremy Randolph was awesome in the ninth. The at-bats were better with more solid contact, and we came ready to defend the field. Overall, it was a really good game for us.”
Connor Shamblin (2-0) earned his second win as many starts with 5.0 no-hit innings. The freshman starter added five strikeouts with just one walk before handing it over to the bullpen. Junior Casey Cobb followed with 3.0 frames that included one strikeout, and graduate transfer Jeremy Randolph closed things out with a 1-2-3 ninth, all by way of the strikeout.
Alabama’s offense matched the effort on the mound with 11 hits, including a season-high four doubles, on the way to six runs. The Tide’s 1-through-4 hitters combined to go 9-for-17 with all four of the two baggers and added six RBI along with four runs scored. Senior Keith Holcombe wrapped up his day a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and a career-high tying four RBI. Matching Holcombe in the hit column was Brett Auerbach, with the junior finishing 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a team-high two runs scored.
The Crimson Tide got out front early, scoring one run in the first on back-to-back, two-out doubles by junior Morgan McCullough and Holcombe. Alabama added a single run in the third to move the lead to 2-0. Auerbach began the inning with a double off the left field wall and moved to third on a fielder’s choice. The leadoff man was then brought home on a sacrifice fly from Holcombe to give Alabama a two-run lead through three.
In the fifth, UA extended its lead with a pair of runs. Two straight singles by senior Joe Breaux and Auerbach started things off in the frame. One out later, Holcombe sent a shot up the middle to score both runners for his third and team-leading fourth RBI of the day, making it a 4-0 affair.
The Tide added one more in the sixth. Junior Justin King drew a two-out walk and then proceeded to steal second. An errant throw on the theft moved King to third before Auerbach brought him in with a single to right. Alabama padded its lead with an RBI-double from Breaux in the eighth to move the score to 6-0, the eventual final.
Alabama returns to the diamond on Tuesday to begin a midweek series against North Alabama. The Crimson Tide and Lions are set for a 6 p.m. CT start on Tuesday evening followed by a 3 p.m. first pitch on Wednesday. Both contests will air live on SEC Network+.
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaBSB on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at Alabama Baseball. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.