Eleven-Run Third Powers Baseball to 14-5 Win over Samford

Tuesday, April 23

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6 p.m. CT

Alabama

26-15

Samford

26-14

Samford

Alabama

Eleven-Run Third Powers Baseball to 14-5 Win over Samford

4/23/2024 10:10:00 PM | Baseball

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

The Crimson Tide used eight hits, including three homers, in the third inning to put the game out of reach early

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – An 11-run third inning powered Alabama baseball to a 14-5 win over Samford on Tuesday evening at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. With the midweek victory, the 18^th-ranked Crimson Tide claimed the season series with the Bulldogs and improved to 26-15 overall.

Samford struck first with a four-run second but maintained the lead for only an inning. In the third, Alabama's offense erupted for eight hits on the way to 11 runs to make it an 11-4 ballgame. The third inning was highlighted by two-run home runs from Justin Lebron, TJ McCants and Evan Sleight. The Bulldogs added one in the fifth with the Tide countering for three in the home half to set things at 14-5, where the score would stay the rest of the way.

Alabama's offense was led by Lebron, who finished 3-for-5 with a double and the homer to go with his team-high four RBI and three runs scored. Austin Morris (2-0) picked up the win, allowing one run on five hits with two strikeouts in 3.0 innings of relief. The loss went to Alex Gaeto (0-1).

From Head Coach Rob Vaughn

"We got down 4-0 and our guys didn't flinch. They kept running good at-bats off, they had a plan for what was coming and we ended up doing a really good job at the plate tonight. I was proud of the guys, proud of their effort. It's good to keep this thing rolling as we head to Oxford tomorrow."

How It Happened

T2 | The Bulldogs plated four runs, all with two outs, highlighted by a two-run homer from Garrett Staton. (4-0, Samford)
B3 | With one on and one down, Justin Lebron homered. After a single, a homer by TJ McCants tied things up. The Tide then took the lead when another single followed by an Evan Sleight homer added a pair. A second out was recorded before UA was able to fill the bases for Lebron, who proceeded to double to right to score two more. After a pitching change, Will Hodo delivered with a two-run double to left and came home in the next at-bat when a pair of passed balls allowed him to cross. (11-4, Alabama)
T5 | A one-out single with a man at second added one for the Bulldogs. (11-5, Alabama)
B5 | The Tide put runners on the corners with one down before a sacrifice fly from Hodo widened the gap. After a walk put two aboard, Kade Snell sent a double down the line in right to clear the bases. (14-5, Alabama)

Postgame Notes

The Crimson Tide has scored double-digit runs in 15 games this season.
Alabama's offense has registered double-digit hits in 27 games, including five of the last six.
The Crimson Tide has homered in 29 contests for the season, including 22 games with two-or-more roundtrippers.
Alabama hit three home runs in the third, its most roundtrippers in an inning since Feb. 24 against Valparaiso when the Tide hit four.
The Crimson Tide's 11 runs in the third were its most an inning since 2019 when Alabama plated 13 at Samford on April 9.
UA recorded a season-high eight hits in that third inning. It eclipsed the previous high of six and was the first eight-hit inning by the Tide since March 19, 2021, at Arkansas.
With his 1-for-3 effort, TJ McCants has recorded a hit in seven consecutive games. Over that stretch, the senior is batting .467 (14-30) with two doubles, a homer, five RBI, seven runs scored, two walks and one stolen base.
ATTENDANCE: 4,378

Alabama will head to Oxford for a three-game series with Ole Miss from Thursday through Saturday. The first two games at Swayze Field are scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT start followed by a 2 p.m. first pitch in the finale. Friday's game will stream on SEC Network+ with the series opener being broadcast nationally on ESPNU and Saturday's game airing 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.