Diodati homers, knocks in two to help Tide to win

Great Lake Canadians and Junior National Team alum Owen Diodati (Niagara Falls, Ont.) had a home run, two runs and two RBIs to help the Alabama Crimson Tide to an 8-7 win over Florida on Sunday. Photo: University of Alabama Athletics

March 20, 2022

By Alex Thompson

University of Alabama Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama baseball battled all afternoon in a back-and-forth contest with ninth-ranked Florida, eventually coming out on top 8-7 thanks to Zane Denton’s game-winning RBI-single.

The win improves the Crimson Tide to 13-8 on the season and 1-2 in Southeastern Conference play.

Alabama and Florida traded blows all day for a third consecutive game. Things were knotted up at four apiece after four full, with the Tide gaining a 5-4 advantage in the fifth thanks to Denton’s first RBI single of the day. The Gators pulled back in front in the eighth with a three-spot, but the Tide was able to cut the lead to one thanks to a solo homer from Denton in the home half. The ninth saw UA cross a pair for the win on getaway day.

The Tide’s ninth-inning rally started with a one-out hit-by-pitch for Andrew Pinckney. Bryce Eblin followed with a single to put runners on the corners for Jim Jarvis. The Tide shortstop was able to get a bunt down on the third base line that stayed fair and allowed Pinckney to score to tie the ballgame. A single from Dominic Tamez then loaded them up for Denton, who was able to single through the right side of a five-man infield to plate the game-winner.

Denton led the Tide offence with a 3-for-5 day that included a home run, one run scored and a team-high three RBIs. Owen Diodati (Niagara Falls, Ont.) contributed two RBIs for Alabama, finishing his day 2-for-3 with a home run, a pair of runs and one walk.

Alabama reliever Jacob McNairy (4-0) picked up the win with 1 2/3 innings of one-run baseball to keep the Tide within striking distance. Florida reliever Blake Purnell (2-1) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on four hits in 1/3 of an inning.

From Head Coach Brad Bohannon

“This was just an overall great win today for our team on so many levels, and it's kind of ironic that it happened on a day where we made a lot of mistakes. We made three errors in the infield and we certainly weren't perfect, but we were down three times – we were down a lot this weekend – and I just can't say enough about our kids and the way they just continue to fight back. Every coach preaches don't play to the scoreboard, and I think our kids absolutely did that for an entire weekend. We learned a lot, too. When we play really good baseball, we can play with anybody. A lot of credit to Florida, as well. They're one of the top five or 10 teams in the country for sure.”

How It Happened

T1 | Back-to-back two-out doubles got the Gators on the board. An error in the next at-bat kept the inning alive and brought across a second run. (2-0, Florida)

B2 | Alabama loaded the bases with three straight one-out walks. A grounder from Andrew Pinckney in the next at-bat got the first out at second but allowed a man to cross. A throwing error on the same play went past the UF first baseman, bringing in one more in the process. (2-2)

T4 | The Gators regained the lead with back-to-back solo home runs to start the inning. Sterlin Thompson was first followed by Wyatt Langford. (4-2, Florida)

B4 | Tommy Seidl started the inning with a walk. Owen Diodati was next with the junior bringing the pair home on a two-run home run to right. (4-4)

B5 | A two-out RBI-single from Zane Denton crossed Bryce Eblin for the go-ahead run. Eblin began the frame with a leadoff double before coming in to score. (5-4, Alabama)

T8 | Jud Fabian put UF back in front with a two-run home run. A single and a stolen base then placed a runner scoring position before a two-out single through the right side added one more. (7-5, Florida)

B8 | Denton led off the inning with a solo home run to cut the lead to one. (7-6, Florida)

B9 | Pinckney got the rally started, drawing a hit-by-pitch with one down. Bryce Eblin followed with a single to right-center to put Tide on the corners for Jim Jarvis. A perfectly placed bunt from Jarvis scored Pinckney to tie things up. The next at-bat resulted in a single to load them up for Denton, who would find a hole on the right side for the game-winning hit. (8-7, Alabama)

Postgame Notes

-Grayson Hitt tossed a career-high five innings in today’s start. His previous high was four which he had on three previous occasions, most recently last weekend against Binghamton.

-Today’s win was the Crimson Tide’s second walkoff win of the season. Alabama also walked it off against Xavier on Opening Day on an Owen Diodati home run.

-Alabama combined for 10 hits and has registered 10-or-more hits in 13 of 21 contests this season, including 10 of the last 13 games.

-With his 1-for-5 day, Jim Jarvis has recorded a hit in 12 straight games. Over the streak, the junior is batting .340 (17-for-50) with a double, two triples, one home run, three RBIs, nine runs scored, five walks, one hit-by-pitch and three stolen bases.

-The 12-game hitting streak ties Drew Williamson (Feb. 19-March 6) for the longest by an Alabama hitter this season.

-Jarvis has also reached base safely in 13 straight SEC games dating back to May 2 of last season against Missouri.

-Diodati has recorded a hit in five straight games thanks to his 2-for-3 effort in today’s contest. Across the streak, the junior is batting .421 (8-19) with three doubles, two home runs, five RBIs, five runs scored and two walks.

Next up for Alabama is a trip to Regions Field to take on UAB this Tuesday, March 22. First pitch between the Crimson Tide and Blazers is set for 6 p.m. CT in Birmingham with the game airing live on Conference USA TV ($).