Bernard Robert Throws a Complete Game Four Hitter vs, Tennessee

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Senior right-hander Bernard Robert gave the Crimson Tide its most impressive outing on the mound this season, tossing the University of Alabama's first complete game of the 2007 season en route to a 9-1 win over the Tennessee Volunteers at Sewell-Thomas Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The Denham Springs, La., native took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and turned in his longest outing in an Alabama uniform. It was his 10th career complete game and second at Alabama. His other complete-game for the Tide came in a seven-inning win at No. 1 South Carolina in 2006.

"Robert did what we needed him to do today," Alabama head coach Jim Wells said. "It was beautiful. That was the best game he has pitched since he has been here. His pitch count was down heading into the last two innings. We needed him to go deep into the game and he did it.

"He had command of all of his pitches today and he threw a lot of fast balls. He got better as the game went along."

UT second baseman Jeff Lima, who had two of the Vols four hits, broke up the no-hitter with a lead off single to center field in the seventh inning.

"I definitely knew I had a no-hitter," Robert said. "I certainly thought about it. I just tried to throw strikes and I just left ball over the plate."

Robert (3-3) allowed one run and four hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He lost his shutout in the ninth inning when UT shortstop Tony Delmonico singled home Lima, who reached on his second hit of the game.

The Alabama offense gave Robert more than enough support with a 12-hit attack and scoring six of its nine runs with two outs off losing pitcher James Adkins. Adkins (2-3) gave up nine runs and 12 hits in seven innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts.

"This was a good team win," Wells added. "We had some key extra base hits, too. Everyone in the line-up had one or two hits, so we were putting pressure on them up and down the line-up and not with just one or two guys."

Sophomores Kent Matthes and Jeff Texada and senior Greg Paiml had two hits each for the Crimson Tide. Freshman Jake Smith and junior first baseman Matt Bentley stroked two-run home runs in the Tide's four-run eighth inning.

Alabama (15-7, 2-0 SEC) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Matthes laced a two-out triple to right center field to score senior center fielder Emeel Salem, who drew a lead off walk.

The Crimson Tide extended its lead to 2-0 in the third inning on another two-out hit. Paiml led off the inning with a base hit to left, stole second and scored on Alex Avila's two-out base hit to right field.

Alabama scored three runs on four hits in the fourth inning to stretch its lead to 5-0. Bentley started the rally with a one-out walk and moved to second on sophomore catcher Ryan Rhoden's base hit to right field. Texada followed with an RBI single to left to score Bentley and Belcher reached on a bunt single to load the bases with one out.

Paiml grounded out to short to chase Rhoden home from third to give the Tide a 4-0 lead. Salem them reached on an infield single to short as Texada scored from third. UT shortstop Tony Delmonico threw out Belcher at third base to end the inning.

The Crimson Tide broke the game open with four runs in the seventh inning. Smith stroked a two-run home run to left field to make it 7-0. Bentley added another two-run home run to push the lead to 9-0.

Tennessee (12-9, 0-2 SEC) avoided the shutout with a run on three hits in the ninth inning. Lima led off with a bloop single down the right field line and took second on Yan Gomes base hit to left. Delmonico drove in the Vols only run with an RBI single down the left field line.

The two teams wrap up this three-game series with a 2:06 p.m. (CDT) game Sunday afternoon in a game televised regionally by CSS Sports. Alabama is expected to send sophomore right-hander Casey Kebodeaux (2-1, 1.69 ERA) to the mound, while UT is expected to counter with freshman left-hander Nick Hernandez (2-2, 6.23 ERA).

GAME NOTES:

*Alabama senior right-hander Bernard Robert (Denham Springs, La.) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Saturday. UT second baseman Jeff Lima broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff single to center in the seventh.

*Alabama scored six of its nine runs with two outs on Saturday.

*All nine Alabama starters had at least one hit in Saturday's win.

*The 9-1 win over Tennessee on Saturday clinched the series win for Alabama. The Crimson Tide has won 10 of its last 12 SEC series, dating back to the 2005 season.

*Freshman third baseman Jake Smith (Shannon) hit his fourth home run of the season on Saturday, a two-run shot to left field in the seventh inning. Smith has homered in both games of the Tennessee series. In his last three games, Smith is 8-for-13 with two home runs and five RBI.

*Junior first baseman Matt Bentley (Hazel Green) hit his fourth home of the season on Saturday, a two-run shot to right field in the seventh inning. Bentley has homered in three of his last four games for the Tide.

University of Alabama Athletics

Bernard Robert Throws a Complete Game Four Hitter vs, Tennessee

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