No. 17 Alabama baseball advanced to a perfect 8-0 on the season after sweeping Valparaiso with ease over the weekend.
Pitching was solid for the Crimson Tide, but it was overshadowed by power-hitting offense. The high-powered Alabama offense combined with three strong pitching performances produced three run-rule victories.
Over the weekend, the Alabama offense was responsible for 38 runs on 41 hits and eight home runs. The pitching staff was equally as impressive, conceding just six runs over the three-game stretch.
In the first matchup against Valparaiso, Alabama won 14-2, ending the game in the seventh due to the run-rule. Gage Miller stood out in Alabama's offense, hitting his third home run in the last four games while going 2-for-4. The junior also hit a double, scored two runs, and recorded a team-leading five RBI alongside his home run. Mac Guscette and Will Hodo led the Tide in hits totaling three each. Guscette safely reached base in all four of his plate appearances, finishing 3-for-3 with a double and a hit-by-pitch. Guscette also recorded one RBI and two runs scored. Hodo went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.
Ben Hess continued his recent success on the mound receiving his second win in a row, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out five batters in four innings. Tyler Fay and Sam Mitchell came on in relief to close the game holding Valparaiso to just one hit over the final three innings.
The second game of the series provided more high-powered offense from the Crimson Tide. Valparaiso got on the board to start with two runs in the top of the first, but Alabama responded with seven runs in their half of the inning and never looked back. Once again, the Crimson Tide run-ruled their opponent 13-3. The Crimson Tide offense slugged four home runs as part of a 14-hit performance.
In the series finale, Alabama was held to its lowest run total of the weekend but still managed to run-rule Valparaiso 11-1. For the second day in a row, Valparaiso jumped out front scoring their lone run in the top half of the first inning. The Crimson Tide responded with two of their own in the bottom half, maintaining a lead for the rest of the game.
TJ McCants led the Crimson Tide offense, going 2-for-5 with two home runs to go along with his team-leading three RBI.
Greg Farone gained his first win of the season, allowing one run on two hits. Farone recorded five strikeouts in just three innings. The bullpen finished off the remaining four innings allowing zero runs to secure the victory.
The Crimson Tide will be back in action on Tuesday with a road trip against the UAB Blazers.
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