Early Offense Pairs with Solid Pitching in Baseball’s 6-3 Win over Tennessee

Saturday, March 16

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

7 p.m. CT

Alabama

16-3, 1-1

Tennessee

18-2, 1-1

Tennessee

Alabama

Early Offense Pairs with Solid Pitching in Baseball’s 6-3 Win over Tennessee

3/16/2024 10:57:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery Postgame Press Conference

The Crimson Tide scored six across the first three frames to allow the pitching staff to settle in

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama baseball paired early offense with a solid effort on the mound to secure a 6-3 win over fifth-ranked Tennessee on Saturday evening at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The 12^th-ranked Crimson Tide is now 16-3 on the season and 1-1 in Southeastern Conference play.

Alabama jumped out front early with one run in the first, two in the second and three in the third to build a six-run advantage after three full. Tennessee chipped away with solo homers in the fourth and seventh while adding one more run in the eighth but could get no closer for the 6-3 final.

The early offense allowed Crimson Tide starter Greg Farone (3-0) to settle in on Saturday. The senior worked 5.1 innings of one-run baseball, allowing five hits and issuing one walk while striking out four for the win. Tyler Fay and Alton Davis II combined for the final 3.2 innings, limiting the Vols to only two runs while striking out three for the series-tying victory.

Alabama's offense was spread across the lineup, with all nine starters reaching base safely while seven of the nine starters contributed at least one hit. Justin Lebron highlighted the bats with a 2-for-3 night that included a team-high two RBI to go with a run scored.

From Head Coach Rob Vaughn

"It was a good night for us tonight, but it's going to be a quick turnaround tomorrow. We have to come out and get ready for a big punch from a talented and emotional group in that other dugout and (Tennessee) is going to come out swinging early. We'll have to weather the storm and swing back, and it's going to be a heck of a game tomorrow."

How It Happened

B1 | Gage Miller started the game off with a double and moved to third on a TJ McCants single. The leadoff man then came home on a 4-3 groundout from Ian Petrutz. (1-0, Alabama)
B2 | Justin Lebron got aboard with a two-out single to start the rally. The freshman moved into scoring position on a wild pitch before a triple from Bryce Eblin scored him. The play resulted in an errant throw to get Eblin at third, allowing him to score on the miscue. (3-0, Alabama)
B3 | The Tide reached a pair with two down for Mac Guscette, who slapped a single past the Vols' first baseman to score one and put men at the corners. After a walk loaded them up, Lebron singled through the left side to add two more. (6-0, Alabama)
T4 | Robin Villeneuve got the Volunteers on the board with a solo homer. (6-1, Alabama)
T7 | Christian Moore narrowed the gap with a solo shot for UT. (6-2, Alabama)
T8 | The Volunteers put a pair in scoring position to start the inning before a fielder's choice allowed the man from third to cross. (6-3, Alabama)

Postgame Notes

Greg Farone's 5.1 innings pitched were the most by a Tide starter this season. His 5.1 frames surpassed the previous season-high of 5.0.
All nine starters on offense reached base safely on the night.
Seven of the nine starters recorded at least one hit on Saturday.
TJ McCants extended his hitting streak to 19 games. The senior center fielder is batting .363 (29-80) with eight doubles, one triple, seven homers, 24 RBI, 19 runs scored, 10 walks, three hit-by-pitch and six stolen bases to start the season.
Bryce Eblin moved his hitting streak to 11 games. Over the current stretch, the senior is batting .409 (18-44) with two doubles, one triple, three home runs, nine RBI, 12 runs scored, three walks, two hit-by-pitch and a stolen base.
Ian Petrutz finished 1-for-4 to push his hitting streak to seven games. Across that stretch, the junior is batting .400 (10-25) with two doubles, a homer, five RBI, eight runs, six walks and three hit-by-pitch.
Gage Miller has reached base safely in all 19 games.
ATTENDANCE: 4,619

Alabama and Tennessee will meet on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT to decide the series. The Crimson Tide will send junior right-hander Hagan Banks to the mound with the UT starter still to be announced. Fans can catch the series finale on SEC Network.

Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabmaBSB on X/Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at Alabama Baseball. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on X/Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.