After over an hour and a half weather delay, Alabama baseball defeated USC Upstate 7-5 to advance to the Tuscaloosa Regional finals.
The Crimson Tide bats stayed hot, and the pitching was just as good but the Alabama defense made what should have been an easy victory a more nerve-wracking experience. A season high six errors were committed by the Crimson Tide, resulting in all five of the USC Upstate runs as unearned.
Alabama grabbed momentum in the third inning when their offense broke the 0-0 tie by putting up four runs. Jason Torres started the scoring with an RBI double to drive in Justin Lebron. Freshman Eric Hines topped off the third inning scoring with a three-run home run to right field.
USC Upstate responded with an unearned run in third. After trading runs in the fourth, Alabama plated runs in the fifth and sixth to extend the lead to 7-2. Another two unearned runs came across the board in the seventh for USC Upstate to trim the lead down to three.
The Spartans threatened to spoil the Alabama victory adding another unearned run and had the tying run on second base with the winning run at the plate. Matthew Heiberger induced a deep fly to center field to close the door on the comeback.
Zane Adams got the start for Alabama and picked up the win, pitching six innings striking out five and allowing two unearned runs on six hits. Heiberger recorded his fifth save of the season, handling the final three innings of the game while allowing three unearned runs on four hits.
Lebron had a big night at the plate finishing 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. Hines lone hit on the night was a big one, driving in three runs on his home run back in the third. Third baseman Torres recorded two hits on the evening including his RBI double to drive in the first run of the game.
Alabama will face the winner of Sunday’s elimination game between Oklahoma State and USC Upstate Sunday night at 7 p.m. The Crimson Tide would advance to the Tuscaloosa Super Regional with a win.
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