Alabama

Alabama Pitching Falters in 15-4 Loss at Tennessee

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2022

Press Room

If runs have been raindrops, there would have been a deluge at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Easter Sunday because the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers deftly dealt with No. 24 Alabama baseball, 15-4.

After successful Friday’s recreation 6-3, Alabama’s pitching and bats each faltered over the past pair of video games, with the Volunteers outscoring the Crimson Tide a mixed 24-5.

In Sunday’s recreation, Alabama jumped on the scoreboard early within the high of the primary when first baseman Drew Williamson hit a solo house run to proper area. Nonetheless, it did not take Tennessee lengthy to reply.

Within the backside of the second, an RBI-double adopted by a pair of RBI-singles — all with two outs — rocketed the Volunteers again on high to take a 3-1 lead. The Crimson Tide minimize the result in one run within the high of the third with one other solo house run, this time by shortstop Jim Jarvis.

Within the backside of the fourth, Tennessee second baseman Jorel Ortega blasted a three-run house run to right-center area, blowing the sport extensive open. Within the backside of the fifth, it was extra of the identical — one other house run, this time by Volunteers third baseman Trey Lipscomb.

Alabama third baseman Zane Denton hit the third solo house run of the sport for the Crimson Tide, however the recreation was rapidly slipping away. Lipscomb hit Tennessee’s second three-run house run of the afternoon within the backside of the sixth, signaling the start of the top for Alabama.

After a two-run house run for Tennessee within the backside of the eighth by proper fielder Jordan Beck, an RBI-double and a sac-fly lastly ended the deluge of runs for the Volunteers.

An RBI-groundout by Alabama left fielder Tommy Seidl within the high of the ninth scored one final run for the Crimson Tide, but it surely was too little, too late as Alabama fell by a ultimate rating of 15-4.

For Tennessee, beginning pitcher Drew Beam (8-0) was issued the win. Alabama starter Grayson Hitt (3-1) was saddled with the loss.

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With the win, the Volunteers took house the sequence, besting the Crimson Tide two video games to at least one. After choosing up the hard-fought win on Friday evening to begin the sequence, it was nothing however downhill afterwards.

Over the course of the sequence, Alabama hit a powerful seven house runs. Tennessee one-upped the Crimson Tide, although, totaling eight house runs over the course of the three-game sequence.

Each Friday starter Garrett McMillan and Saturday starter Jacob McNairy continued to point out resolute play on the mound, holding the top-ranked Volunteers to 6 runs and 11 hits via 10 and one-third innings pitched. Exterior of Hitt’s begin on Sunday, the bullpen was the place the true pitching woes appeared: 14 runs off of 13 hits whereas strolling six batters and hanging out 5 over the past two video games alone.

Whereas hitting might be fairly streaky at occasions — simply take a look at Alabama over the past a number of weeks to see that in a real-life instance — pitching is a shortcoming that may see enchancment solely over time moderately than instantly. Whereas the halfway level of SEC play could be a late time to begin, the Crimson Tide should proceed to type out its pitching points via trial and error.

That may not be what Alabama followers need to hear, but it surely’s the one method that the pitching shortcomings on the crew can be sorted out.

With the loss, Alabama strikes to 23-14 general on the season and is 8-7 in SEC play. Tennessee strikes to 33-3 general and is 14-1 within the convention. The Crimson Tide will now head again to Tuscaloosa, the place it’s going to host UAB on Tuesday afternoon (6 p.m. CT, SEC Community+).

This story can be up to date with a quote from Alabama head coach Brad Bohannon.