Alabama

Alabama Baseball Uses Big Eighth Inning To Take Series Finale Against Tennessee | Rocky Top Insider

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2024

Alabama Baseball Uses Big Eighth Inning To Take Series Finale Against Tennessee | Rocky Top Insider

Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee and Alabama baseball went back-and-forth in Sunday afternoon’s series finale in Tuscaloosa before the Crimson Tide scored three runs in the eighth inning to secure a 7-5 victory.

AJ Russell made his return to the mound and the Vols bats were relatively quiet as Alabama clinched the weekend series against Tennessee.

Here’s everything to know about the Sunday series rubber match.

AJ Russell Returns In Short Outing

Perhaps the best news of the weekend for Tennessee is that talented sophomore pitcher AJ Russell returned to the mound after missing the previous three weeks with side soreness that reared its ugly head in the series opener against UAlbany.

Russell was the Vols’ Friday night starter to open the season and is the most talented pitcher Tennessee has. Tony Vitello gave Russell the ball for the series finale and while it was an unsurprisingly short outing, the tall right-hander was solid in his return.

Russell threw 40 pitches in two innings. It was a shaky first few batters for Russell as he surrendered a single, allowed the runner to advance to second on a balk and then allowed a one-out RBI single.

But the talented sophomore was great from there. He got out of the first inning with a line out and a pop out before sitting down the Crimson Tide in order in the second.

Russell finished his day allowing two hits and one run while striking out two batters. He threw 28 strikes in 40 pitches as he was solid in his return to game action.

More From RTI: Tennessee vs. Alabama Game Three Play-By-Play

Both Bullpens Settle In

After Tennessee scored four runs against Alabama’s bullpen in the third inning and the Crimson Tide answered with two runs in the bottom half of the third and a leadoff home run in the fourth inning it looked like we might be in for a classic Sunday shootout.

But in the middle innings of the game, each bullpen eased into the game and found its footing.

For Alabama, RHP Braylon Myers was fantastic for three innings. In the fourth through six innings, Myers kept Tennessee off the scoreboard and allowed just two baserunners while pounding the strike zone and striking out two batters.

For Tennessee, it was key bullpen reliever Nate Snead. Snead came in with two runners on base and allowed both to score before giving up the solo homer to open up the fourth inning. It wasn’t the best start for the Wichita State transfer, but Snead settled in from there.

Snead got to the eighth inning with just giving up that lone run but that’s when he ran into trouble. More on that in a moment.

The game would have more runs in the final inning, but Snead and Myers turned in strong relief outings to keep the game from turning into a shootout.

Things Get Away From Tennessee In The Eighth Inning

Tennessee held a 5-4 lead entering the eighth inning with Snead starting to wear down. That’s when things got away from the flame throwing right-handed pitcher.

He hit the leadoff batter and allowed a one-out hit that put the leading run on base. Dylan Dreiling almost saved the day making a spectacular leaping catch at the wall for out number two. But Snead couldn’t get the final out as Alabama leadoff batter Gage Miller roped a middle-middle fastball for a no doubt home run to left field.

The home run gave Alabama a 7-5 lead which marked its first lead since the third inning. Tennessee loaded the bases thanks to Alabama defensive miscues in the ninth inning and pulled within one with a RBI walk but couldn’t get the big hit needed to tie the game or take the lead.

After taking the series opener, Tennessee couldn’t close out the weekend series on Saturday or in the closing innings on Sunday.

Final Stats

Up Next

Tennessee returns to Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a Tuesday night midweek matchup against Xavier. First pitch is at 6 p.m. ET.

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Alabama

Jacob Crews scores 20 for Missouri in 85-77 win over Alabama State

Published

7 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Jacob Crews scores 20 for Missouri in 85-77 win over Alabama State

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Jacob Crews scored 20, and Anthony Robinson II added 19 in Missouri’s 85-77 win over Alabama State on Thursday night.

Crews shot 7 of 9 from the field, including 6 of 8 from the 3-point arc. Mark Mitchell added 15 points for Missouri (9-2), and Sebastian Mack added 10.

The Tigers had a 15-0 run in the first half, heading into the locker room up 52-39. Alabama State was held scoreless over a 4:19 drought in the middle of the second half to open a 9-0 run for the Tigers. The Hornets (3-8) responded with their own 10-0 run to bring the game within eight, 74-62. The Tigers regained control, though, to keep their eight-point lead the rest of the game, handing Alabama State their fourth loss in a row.

The Tigers shot 65% (33 of 51). Both teams shot 50% from the free-throw line.

Alabama State outscored Missouri in the final period, 38-33. Asjon Anderscon scored 23 for the Hornets, leading all players in scoring.

Up next

Missouri hosts Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 14.

Alabama State travels to Cincinnati to face the Bearcats on Dec. 17.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Alabama

Katie Windham Highlights Alabama Areas of Improvement on The Joe Gaither Show

Published

19 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Katie Windham Highlights Alabama Areas of Improvement on The Joe Gaither Show

Let’s crank up a Thursday edition of “The Joe Gaither Show on BamaCentral” with Mason Woods and Katie Windham as we start getting ready for next week’s College Football Playoff game between Alabama and Oklahoma. Windham detailed how the Crimson Tide can improve over the next few weeks, we discuss the team’s health and look back at our last road trip to Norman. The show then discusses the Heisman Trophy finalists before addressing a Kalen DeBoer coaching rumor.

The program opens by power ranking the holidays before discussing Windham’s three areas the Crimson Tide can improve over the next week. Our trio picks the easiest area the team can improve and how Alabama must perform in Norman. Windham details our last trip to Oklahoma as we go down memory lane to the Sooners’ 24-3 victory last season.

The show continues on by getting Windham’s thoughts on Alabama’a College Football Playoff selection and if the Crimson Tide actually deserved its place in the field. She brings up a unique aspect of Alabama’s blowout loss in the SEC Championship and how it played into the program’s inclusion in the College Football Playoffs.

We move from next week’s game into a small discussion on Notre Dame’s reaction of being left out of the field and how it relates to Alabama’s future home-and-home dates with the Fighting Irish. Will the two esteemed programs still face off in a few years?

The show heads into the only college football action of the weekend by highlighting the strong Heisman Trophy finalist field. Who brings home the bronze statue?

Lastly, we spend the final bit of the show talking about Michigan firing Sherrone Moore and the reports of the Wolverines considering persuing Kalen DeBeor for their next head coach. Will DeBoer leave Tuscaloosa for Ann Arbor?

We’re so appreciative of our sponsors who make the show possible. Check out Derek Daniel State Farm in Alabama for your insurance needs. We’re also proud to partner with Purple Turtle Roofing on the program. From your first call to the final nail, our mission is to make sure you feel confident, cared for, and covered, literally.

Call (205) 462-7340 Extension 800 to leave your thoughts in a voicemail, and you’ll be featured on the show. You can also join us live in the comment sections Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m. CT.

The show can be seen on the BamaCentral YouTube channel. Keep up with each show on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Shows can also be heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.

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Alabama

New Alabama law raises penalties for porch piracy

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

New Alabama law raises penalties for porch piracy

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – As holiday deliveries ramp up, a new Alabama law aims to deter package theft by raising penalties for so-called “porch piracy.” The law, which went into effect on October 1, 2025, makes repeated package theft a felony and can carry prison sentences of up to 10 years in the most serious cases.

What changed

Previously, many package thefts in Alabama were charged as misdemeanor theft because the value of individual stolen packages often fell below felony thresholds. Under the new law however, lawmakers established penalties that focus on the number of homes targeted rather than the dollar value of items stolen:

Stealing from 1 to 9 homes: most serious misdemeanor
Stealing from 10 to 29 homes: felony
Stealing from 30 or more homes: can result in up to 10 years in prison

The law also increases penalties if stolen packages are used to commit identity theft or fraud. In addition, anyone who knowingly receives packages stolen by a porch pirate can be charged under the new rules.

Lawmakers weigh in

Senator April Weaver, one of the bill’s sponsors, said the change was meant to protect Alabama families during the holidays.

“It was really important to protect the people not only in my district but throughout the state of Alabama and to make sure their hard-earned money is going to their children’s Christmas,” she said.

On camera, Senator Weaver added with holiday humor, “It means the Grinch may have stolen Christmas in Whoville, but if he does it in Alabama, he’ll have plenty of time in state prison for his heart to grow three sizes.”

What police recommend if your package is stolen

If you discover a stolen package, law enforcement recommends:

Report the theft to police immediately.
Preserve any doorbell or surveillance footage that may show the theft.
Contact the delivery company right away to report the missing item.
Consider requiring a signature on delivery to reduce the risk of theft.

The law went into effect on October 1, 2025; this December marks the first holiday season it is in effect. Alabama is now one of more than a dozen states that have passed laws specifically targeting package theft. Supporters say the law sends a stronger message that porch piracy will no longer be treated as a minor offense.

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