No. 7 seed Alabama baseball had the bats rolling on Friday night, routing Alabama State 21-3 in its opening game of the Tuscaloosa Regional.
A 15-hit, 21-run performance from the Crimson Tide offense helped set the tone for an Alabama team hoping to host a Super Regional for the first time since 2006. The 21 runs made for a program record in a regional.
Alabama started the scoring in the first inning and never looked back. Leadoff batter Bryce Fowler hit a triple and was immediately driven in by a sacrifice fly from Justin Lebron to give the Crimson Tide an early 1-0 lead.
The Crimson Tide tacked on two more runs in the second on a two-run home run from Luke Vaughn to extend the lead to three. Alabama State responded in the third with a two-run home run of their own but that would be the closest the game would get. Alabama outscored Alabama State 18-1 in the final six innings to secure the 21-3 victory.
Tyler Fay got the start for the Crimson Tide, pitching 5.2 innings, striking out eight, while allowing three runs on six hits. The Alabama bullpen handled the remaining 3.1 innings, holding the Hornets scoreless.
Fowler led the Alabama offense from the leadoff spot, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBI and a double short of the cycle. Lebron led the Crimson Tide in RBI with four, recording three of his RBI on a three-run home run in the fifth inning.
Alabama will face USC Upstate on Saturday at 6 p.m. with the winner earning a spot in the Tuscaloosa Regional finals.
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