Alabama baseball will look to Saturday’s game to avoid the sweep after the Arkansas Razorbacks dealt them the 8-4 loss to clinch the series in Hoover, Al. on Friday. Alabama falls to 23-23 (8-15 SEC).
- Win-Jackson Lowery (5-1): 2.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
- Loss-Jake Walters (4-3): 4.1 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
- Save-James Teague (2): 2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
The Crimson Tide outhit the Razorbacks for the night 12-7 but once again, Alabama had problems capitalizing on opportunities with base runners on the bags and stranded 12. With runners on, only five hits came from 23 attempts. Coach Mitch Gaspard’s comments after the game didn’t really give the warm and fuzzies for a team that should be improving and also knowing they are fighting to stay on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament and could very well be battling for a spot in the SEC Tournament.
Alabama's Mitch Gaspard after game: "The first 5 innings may have been as poor of baseball as I’ve seen in my 16 years at Alabama."
— Drew Champlin (@DrewChamplin) May 2, 2015
Alabama took the first lead of the game in the third that would last until the Arkansas fifth as the Razorbacks put it out of reach for the Tide. The Tide scored two runs during the home half of the third. Will Haynie led things off with a walk and advanced into scoring position with a stolen base. Georgie Salem laid down a sacrifice bunt to put Haynie at third. Chandler Avant doubled to left which put two runners in scoring position for the Tide. A fielder’s choice from Georgie Salem scored one run and Casey Hughston’s walk with the bases loaded scored the second.
Arkansas cut the Tide lead in half in their next frame when Tyler Spoon struck out and the throw allowed Clark Eagan to steal home.
During the fifth inning, the Arkansas offense really got things going and extended their lead to 6-2. Bobby Wernes led things off by drawing a full count walk. He advanced to second on a failed pick-off attempt. When Brett McAfee walked during the next at bat, Wernes ended up at third on the passed ball for the ball four pitch. Michael Bernal struck out for the first out of the frame but it still brought Wernes in to score. Then, a walk and a single loaded up the bags with Razorback base runners to set up Joe Serrano for the two-run scoring double. Tyler Spoon added two more runs with a single through the left side.
Casey Hughston cut the Arkansas lead in half in the bottom half with an RBI single up the middle that brought in Salem to score after he led off with a single of his own. Alabama inched closer during the eighth with an RBI single from Avant with the bases loaded.
The Razorbacks added two insurance runs with back to back RBI singles in the ninth and put the game out of reach for Alabama.
The final game of the series is set for 12 p.m. CT on Saturday and will be televised on ESPNU.