TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama baseball earned the series win over Auburn with a 6-1 win on Sunday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Crimson Tide is now 26-11 overall and 6-9 in Southeastern Conference play.
Auburn was first to strike with one run in the fourth but would not add any more after that. Alabama proceeded to score six unanswered runs over the final 4.0 frames with a three-run fifth, one tally in the seventh and two in the eighth for the 6-1 series-clinching win.
Jacob McNairy gave the Tide a solid start on short rest, allowing one run on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in his 3.2 innings of work. He turned the ball over to a pair of freshmen in Riley Quick and Alton Davis II who blanked the Tigers the rest of the way. Quick (1-1) earned the win thanks to 3.2 innings that included two hits, two walks and a pair of strikeouts. Davis II followed, tossing the final 1.2 frames with two strikeouts for his third save of the season and second in as many days.
Alabama’s offense was led by Jim Jarvis, Mac Guscette and Andrew Pinckney, who all contributed two-hit games. Jarvis finished 2-for-4 with a triple, one RBI and two runs scored, one of which came on a steal of home. Guscette went 2-for-4 with a run while Pinckney posted a 2-for-3 performance that included a walk and two runs scored.
From Head Coach Brad Bohannon
“I’m really proud of our team. It was a big weekend coming into it, and we didn’t play very well Friday night, but our guys did what they’ve done all year – they just kept playing, kept coming and the kids deserve all the credit for this series win.”
How It Happened
- T4 | A two-out walk and stolen base put a man in scoring position before a single to left-center got the Tigers on the board. (1-0, Auburn)
- B5 | The Tide loaded the bases with one down, with Tommy Seidl drawing a walk to push across the tying run. Drew Williamson followed, delivering a two-run single up the middle to put UA in front. (3-1, Alabama)
- B7 | With runners on the corners and two down, the Tide employed the double steal with Jim Jarvis sliding under the tag at home from third. (4-1, Alabama)
- B8 | The rally started with a two-out single from Andrew Pinckney. Bryce Eblin followed with a double to score Pinckney and force an Auburn pitching change. The new Tiger arm immediately gave up a triple to Jarvis to widen the gap. (6-1, Alabama)
Postgame Notes
- Today’s game was a third straight sellout. It marks the Tide’s first series sellout (non-COVID) since April 15-17, 2016, against Ole Miss.
- The Crimson Tide totaled 17,400 fans across the three-game series.
- Jacob McNairy issued a walk after 2.1 innings in today’s game. It was his first walk allowed in 20.2 frames dating back to March 21 against UAB.
- The Tide employed the double steal with Drew Williamson taking second and Jim Jarvis stealing home. It was Alabama’s first double steal since March 2, 2019, when Walker McCleney took second while Morgan McCullough stole home in game one of a doubleheader at South Alabama.
- Jarvis has gotten aboard in 19 consecutive games dating back to March 16
- Andrew Pinckney reached base in today’s game and has now done so in 18 straight contests.
- ATTENDANCE: 5,800 (SELLOUT)
Next up for Alabama is a trip to Birmingham for a midweek contest at UAB on Tuesday, April 18. The Crimson Tide and Blazers will square off at Regions Field, home of the Double-A Birmingham Barons, with the game scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT first pitch.
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabmaBSB on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at Alabama Baseball. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
