Arms Combine for 4-0 Shutout of Manhattan in Baseball’s 2024 Season Opener

Friday, February 16

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

4 p.m. CT

Alabama

1-0

Manhattan College

0-1

Manhattan

Alabama

Arms Combine for 4-0 Shutout of Manhattan in Baseball’s 2024 Season Opener

2/16/2024 8:31:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery Postgame Press Conference

The Crimson Tide kicked off the Rob Vaughn era in shutout fashion

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 17 Alabama opened the 2024 campaign with a 4-0 win over the Manhattan Jaspers on Friday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

Alabama's offense wasted no time on Opening Day, plating a pair of runs in the first thanks to a throwing error by Manhattan. The Crimson Tide followed with another two-spot in the home half of the third, highlighted by doubles from TJ McCants and Ian Petrutz to move the lead to 4-0, the eventual final.

Ben Hess (1-0) picked up the win with a strong start, tossing 4.0 scoreless frames. He allowed just one hit and issued two walks while punching out nine, including the first six batters he faced. Hess turned the ball over to the duo of Hagan Banks and Braylon Myers who combined for six strikeouts over the final 5.0 innings to secure the shutout victory.

McCants led the offense with a 2-for-4 day that included the double, two runs and a pair of stolen bases. Evan Sleight also finished with two hits, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

From Head Coach Rob Vaughn

"Our pitching was elite tonight. I told our arms that the starting pitcher really sets the tone for the whole game. (Ben Hess) did an unbelievable job, not just with the success he had, but in staying on the attack and setting the tone for what we're going to be – not only during this game but also for this year. He was absolutely outstanding, as was Hagan Banks. Then, (Braylon Myers) comes into a mess there and quiets it real quick while executing his pitches."

How It Happened

B1 | Gage Miller got the rally started with a hit-by-pitch to open the game. A single in the next at-bat from TJ McCants put runners on the corners with McCants moving into scoring position thanks to a stolen base. Will Hodo followed with a grounder to short that resulted in an error, allowing Hodo to reach while two scored. (2-0, Alabama)
B3 | McCants got things going with a hustle double to right-center before moving to third on his second stolen base of the day. Ian Petrutz capitalized on the opportunity, doubling to right to add a run. One batter later, Evan Sleight sent a line drive into right field to bring home Petrutz and double the Tide lead. (4-0, Alabama)

Postgame Notes

Today's win over Manhattan marks the first victory of the Rob Vaughn era at Alabama.
The Crimson Tide has won 10 straight season-opening contests dating back to 2015.
With today's victory, Alabama has won 14 straight games on Opening Weekend. The Tide's last loss in a season-opening series came on Feb. 16, 2019, against Presbyterian.
The Tide's shutout was its first on Opening Day since Feb. 14, 2020, against Northeastern.
Alabama's pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts, its most since March 10 of last season against Columbia when the Tide registered 16 punchouts.
Ben Hess made his first start since March 31 of last season against Arkansas.
Hess picked up the win to improve to 7-1 as a starter. He has not been handed the loss since his collegiate debut on March 9, 2022, against North Alabama. Including today's effort, the current stretch spans 18 appearances, 15 of which were starts.
The junior struck out nine, the most on Opening Day by a UA starting pitcher since Adam Morgan punched out 11 on Feb. 20, 2010, against South Alabama.
ATTENDANCE: 3,255

Alabama will go for the series-clinching win on Saturday afternoon at The Joe. The Crimson Tide will send sophomore right-hander Riley Quick to the mound while the Jaspers counter with lefty Noah Mattera. Game two of Opening Weekend is set for a 2 p.m. CT first pitch on SEC Network+.

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