March 27, 2022

By Alex Thompson

University of Alabama Athletics

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Alabama baseball paired a late rally with standout pitching to secure a 6-2 win on Sunday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field.

The victory moves the Crimson Tide to 14-11 overall and 2-4 in Southeastern Conference play.

The Tide led 2-1 after five innings and maintained a lead from there on out. Alabama added one in the sixth with State countering for a run of their own in the seventh to make it a one-run game. The slim lead was not enough for the Tide, with Alabama posting a three-spot in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach. The Crimson Tide used two walks followed by three straight RBI-singles with two down to secure the 6-2 win.

Grayson Hitt (2-0) posted a quality start for the Crimson Tide to earn his second win of the season. The junior allowed one run on four hits and four walks with five strikeouts across his career-high six innings and 102 pitches. Hitt turned the ball over to fellow junior Antoine Jean (Montreal, Que.). The Tide lefty tossed the final three frames, allowing one unearned run on three hits and a walk with one punchout for his first career save.

Alabama’s offence was highlighted by Drew Williamson. The Tide first baseman finished 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk to go with a team-high two RBIs and two runs scored. Dominic Tamez also contributed a two-hit effort, going 2-for-5 with a run and UA’s final RBI of the day.

Owen Diodati (Niagara Falls, Ont.) also added a hit, a run and an RBI for the Tide.

From Head Coach Brad Bohannon

“This was obviously a big win on so many levels. It was a really well-rounded effort by our club. Grayson (Hitt) gave us a great start just like Jacob McNairy did yesterday and Garrett McMillan did on Friday. I’m really proud of Antoine (Jean); he hasn’t pitched out of the bullpen a lot during his career. He does have some experience – we’ve obviously had trouble closing games out this weekend – and Antoine did a great job of getting out of that big jam in the eighth. And, then, I’m proud of our hitters for giving us a cushion in the ninth. This was just a really good win all around for a lot of reasons.”

How It Happened

B1 | State got on the board with a two-out RBI-single. (1-0, Mississippi State)

T2 | Owen Diodati drew a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position thanks to a two-out single from Bryce Eblin. Drew Williamson followed with a single of his own, crossing Diodati for the Tide’s first run. (1-1)

T4 | Dominic Tamez started the inning with a single. Eblin brought him in one out later on a double to straightaway center to put UA in front. (2-1, Alabama)

T6 | Williamson sent a moonshot over the wall in right for a solo home run. (3-1, Alabama)

B7 | State loaded the bases up with two down before a hit-by-pitch forced across a run. (3-2, Alabama)

T9 | The Tide rally started with a leadoff walk by Williamson. The Bulldogs were able to then get two outs before intentionally walking Tommy Seidl. Zane Denton took advantage of the opportunity, singling to center to score one. Diodati followed with an RBI-single of his own to force a MSU pitching change. The new arm was greeted by Tamez, who sent a single back up the middle to tack on one more. (6-2, Alabama)

Postgame Notes

-Grayson Hitt tossed a career-high six innings. His previous high for innings was five, which he had last week against Florida on March 20.

-Hitt also threw a career-high 102 pitches in today’s game. That tops his previous career-high total of 71 against Binghamton on March 13.

-Antoine Jean picked up his first career save.

-Eight of the nine starters for Alabama reached base safely.

-Jim Jarvis has reached base safely in 16 straight SEC games dating back to May 2 of last season against Missouri.

-Jarvis has also recorded a hit in all six conference games this season. Over that stretch, the junior is batting .250 (6-24) with a triple, four RBI, two runs and five walks.

-Dominic Tamez has recorded a hit in five straight SEC games. The junior is batting .333 (8-24) with a double, four RBI and a run scored.

-Owen Diodati has reached base safely in 10 consecutive games dating back to March 12 against Binghamton.

Next up for Alabama is a midweek matchup with South Alabama on Tuesday, March 29. The Crimson Tide and Jaguars are scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT first pitch at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.