Explosive First Inning Propels UAB Past Alabama in Midweek Loss for Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The UAB Blazers came out swinging in the first inning of a midweek matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide, scoring seven runs as the Blazers downed the Crimson Tide 11-2.

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UAB's seven runs scored is tied for the most given up in a single inning for the Crimson Tide this season, tying the seven runs that Southern Miss scored in the fourth inning of a 14-4 victory over the Crimson Tide on February 14. Alabama immediately came to bat in the bottom of the first inning, trying to avoid run-rule territory, which would have been mercy on the Crimson Tide on Tuesday night in Tuscaloosa.

UAB's Strong Start Startled the Crimson Tide

Junior Brady Waugh got the scoring started for the Blazers with an RBI single to left field, allowing John Paul Head to score. Another single by Andrew Hunt and an error by Tide center fielder Chase Kroberger quickly gave the Blazers a 3-0 lead over the Crimson Tide, leading to head coach Rob Vaughn and pitching coach Jason Jackson to swap Luke Smyers for JT Blackwood after just one out in the first inning.

Blackwood couldn't limit the damage after the Blazers' bats got hot in the first inning, with Alex Dupuy notching a 2 RBI single and Baylor Roberts reaching on Alabama's second error of the inning, allowing Dupuy and Wesley Helms to score two unearned runs for UAB. Blackwood was able to end the inning, but not before UAB jumped out to an early 7-0 lead over the Crimson Tide.

Blackwood was still on the mound in the fourth inning when the Blazers scored two more runs, venturing dangerously close to run-rule territory of a 10-run lead. Head singled to right field, but advanced to second on the throw, allowing Kevin Hall Jr. and Roberts to add two more runs to UAB's already staggering lead. UAB led Alabama 9-0 entering the home half of the fourth inning.

Alabama got on the board in the sixth inning; however, to avoid a potential run-rule loss to the Blazers after John Lemm hit a two-run home run to right-center field, allowing Eric Hines and himself to score. The short-lived comeback attempt was quickly put to bed after Luke Vaughn struck out swinging and Will Plattner flied out to center field.

UAB Adds Insult to Injury in the Seventh

The Blazers immediately responded with two runs of their own in the top of the seventh inning, with Dupuy doubling down the right field line and reaching third on yet another error, the Crimson Tide's fifth on the night, with Hunt coming in to score. Dupuy then scored unearned in the next at-bat on a sacrifice bunt by Roberts.

Alabama Head Coach Rob Vaughn Takes Ownership of Disappointing Loss

"My responsibility as a head coach is to make sure our team is hooked in and ready to play for 56 games in the regular season and beyond," Vaughn said after the game. "We clearly weren't tonight. That falls on me. I know these kids will get ripped for it, because that's what happens. But ultimately, that's my job. So any of that needs to be directed at me, because I didn't have them in a good spot to play today."

The Crimson Tide gave up 11 runs on 11 hits to the Blazers, while scoring only 2 runs on 5 hits for Rob Vaughn's crew. Alabama falls to 28-14 with the midweek loss, but remains 9-9 in conference play. Alabama returns to the SEC slate this weekend, heading to Knoxville, Tennessee, for a date with the Volunteers. That series will start on Thursday, April 23, at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.