Alabama baseball got a much-needed get-right series at home against the lowly Missouri Tigers. Coming off three straight series losses in league play, the winless Tigers were just what the doctor ordered for Rob Vaughn and company.
Alabama swept Missouri over the weekend, improving to 35-10 on the season and 12-9 in SEC play.
The series got off to a bit of a troublesome start. Alabama's recent struggles appeared to have continued to follow them. Missouri ran out to a stunning 5-0 lead in the first inning of game one on Thursday. But credit Tyler Fay, who turned in a gutsy performance on the mound and didn't let a bumpy 1st inning get to him. He bounced back and lasted into the sixth inning without allowing another run.
Offensively, the bats steadily came to life. Will Hodo cranked out a two-run home run in the 2nd inning to get the Crimson Tide on the board. Garrett Staton tied the game in the 6th inning with a three-run homer. Then, in the 8th, Coleman Mizell hit a go-ahead two-run shot to give Alabama the 7-5 advantage.
Carson Ozmer, one of the most reliable closers in the country, shut the door with four strikeouts over his two innings of work.
In game two, Alabama got a strong outing from Riley Quick, who went 5.2 innings and gave up only three hits, one earned run, and struck out seven. Kade Snell and Jason Torres hit homers to pace the offensive effort in the Tide's 7-3 win.
In Saturday's series finale, it was all Alabama. The Tide struck for eight runs in the second inning on the way to a 12-1 run-rule win over Missouri. Will Hodo homered twice - a three-run shot in the 2nd inning and then a solo bomb in the 4th. Jason Torres and Bryce Fowler both added homers in the 2nd inning.
Zane Adams continued his upward trend with another terrific start. He went the full seven innings while allowing five hits, one earned run, one walk, and striking out five. He got the job done in an efficient 86 pitches and gave the Tide's bullpen some well-needed rest.
Alabama does not have a mid-week game this week. Next up for the Crimson Tide is a crucial trip to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt. The 'Dores are neck-and-neck with Alabama in the SEC standings. A series win in Nashville would be big for the Tide with just a few SEC weekends remaining.