Offense Shines Once Again in Baseball’s 10-5 Win over Lipscomb
3/10/2024 5:11:00 PM | Baseball
The Crimson Tide scored in each of the first five frames to build a lead and earn the eventual sweep
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama baseball completed the sweep of Lipscomb on Sunday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, downing the Bisons, 10-5. The victory moved the 13th-ranked Crimson Tide to 15-1 on the season.
Alabama scored in each of the first five innings, plating two apiece in the first and second, single tallies in the third and fourth and adding four in the fifth to put the game out of reach. Lipscomb was able to answer with one in the second, two in the third and one apiece again in the fourth and sixth but went scoreless over the final 3.0 frames for the 10-5 final.
The Crimson Tide offense produced 11 hits on the day, led by Ian Petrutz. The junior went 3-for-4 with a double, three RBI and three runs scored. Evan Sleight matched him in RBI as part of his 1-for-3 showing that included one walk as well. Coulson Buchanan (1-1) picked up the win with 1.1 scoreless frames that included two hits and two strikeouts.
From Head Coach Rob Vaughn
"Beating anybody three times is tough, especially when you're trying to do it in a 24-hour window. That's a veteran lineup (in Lipscomb) that gave us some fits and would just never go away. That's a credit to their staff and their entire team. That's a good group that's been around the block, and their record doesn't reflect it yet, but those guys are going to give other teams fits."
How It Happened
- B1 | Gage Miller was hit by a pitch to start the game and moved to third on a one-out double from Ian Petrutz. Evan Sleight then got the Tide on the board with a sacrifice fly. He was followed by Coleman Mizell, who added a second run with an RBI-single to right. (2-0, Alabama)
- T2 | A leadoff double followed by a pair of groundouts on the right side got the Bisons on the board. (2-1, Alabama)
- B2 | The Tide loaded the bases with two down for Petrutz, with the junior sending a two-run single through the right side to widen the gap. (4-1, Alabama)
- T3 | A two-out two-run homer from Alex Vergara cut into the lead. (4-3, Alabama)
- B3 | Mizell led off with a walk and moved into scoring position on a passed ball. He then came home in that same at-bat on an RBI-single from Mac Guscette. (5-3, Alabama)
- T4 | Parks Bouck hit a solo home run to left. (5-4, Alabama)
- B4 | With two on and two down, Guscette singled to center to add a tally. (6-4, Alabama)
- B5 | A pair of walks and a single loaded the bases for the Tide with one down. Petrutz capitalized on the opportunity, singling to score one and keep them loaded for Sleight. The right fielder followed with a single of his own to add two more. After a pitching change, a fielder's choice resulted in a throwing error to allow Petrutz to come around and score. (10-4, Alabama)
- T6 | A two-out single with two aboard crossed a run for the Bisons. (10-5, Alabama)
Postgame Notes
- Alabama has won 19 straight games at Sewell-Thomas Stadium dating back to May 6 of last season. That streak includes three consecutive victories in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional. The 19 straight home wins ties for the third-longest winning streak at The Joe, matching the 1998 team who started the season 19-0 at home from Feb. 13-March 28.
- The Crimson Tide recorded double-digit hits on Sunday has now totaled 10-plus knocks in 13 of 16 contests, including all three games of the series with the Bisons.
- TJ McCants extended his hitting streak to 16 games. McCants is batting .373 (25-67) with seven doubles, one triple, six homers, 23 RBI, 18 runs scored, 10 walks, two hit-by-pitch and six stolen bases to start the season.
- Gage Miller extended his hitting streak to 15 games. Over the streak, the junior is batting .475 (29-61) with five doubles, eight home runs, 24 RBI, 28 runs, four walks and seven hit-by-pitch.
- Bryce Eblin moved his hitting streak to eight games on Sunday. Over the current stretch, the senior is batting .455 (15-33) with two doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, nine runs scored, three walks, two hit-by-pitch and a stolen base.
- Evan Sleight has reached base in all 16 games this season.
- Justin Lebron has gotten aboard in 12 straight contests dating back to Feb. 21.
- ATTENDANCE: 3,163
The Crimson Tide will break on Monday before returning to the diamond on Tuesday, March 12. Alabama will travel to Hattiesburg to take on Southern Miss for a 6 p.m. CT matchup at Pete Taylor Park. The game will air live on ESPN+.
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