TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— It was a long two days, but the No. 15 Alabama baseball team got the job done and swept all three games in its final nonconference series of the year.
The Crimson Tide (15-1) scored 10 runs or more in every game and finished off the Lipscomb Bisons (3-11) with a 10-5 triumph on Sunday. The offensive output was the name of the game.
The outfield, in particular, was one of the most effective position groups at the dish. On Sunday, left fielder Ian Petrutz and right fielder Evan Sleight tallied three RBIs. Meanwhile, center fielder TJ McCants had two hits.
The starting pitching was anchored by Greg Farone’s effort on Saturday. That was the best outing of an Alabama starter in the entire weekend. Hagan Banks returned to the stable with a start on Sunday and went one inning on a pitch count. While a number of relief pitchers saw action, some were not at their best.
On Saturday, Gage Miller’s seven hits across two games and Will Hodo’s two home runs (Miller also had a pair) paced the attack at the dish. Sunday looked a bit different. The Crimson Tide did not hit any home runs. Small ball got it done to lock up the sweep.
When all was said and done, the longer games (all three went nine innings, the first such weekend of Alabama’s 2024 season) provided an opportunity for experience with conference play right around the corner. The schedule hasn’t pulled any punches. Tennessee will be up first on the SEC slate starting next Friday.
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