The Tide had an early 1-0 lead, but could not complete the comeback following a three-run Cougar home run
Feb. 20, 2015
Box Score
HOUSTON – A three-run homer proved to be the deciding factor in Friday night’s game, as the Alabama baseball team fell to the third-ranked Houston Cougars, 3-1. With the loss, the Crimson Tide moves to 3-1 on the early season.
“I thought it was a well-played game on both sides,” said head coach Mitch Gaspard. “Their pitching did a really nice job, as we knew they’ would coming in to this game. By the looks of it, the game came down to a three-run homer. We missed a couple opportunities there with those little things that could win us the game.”
Alabama tallied the first run of the evening in the top of the fourth, starting with a Casey Hughston double off the center field wall just inches short of a home run. Next in the order, Kyle Overstreet grounded to the shortstop with Hughston running to third, but a slide by Hughston that missed the tag gave the Tide runners at first and third with no outs. In the very next at-bat, Chance Vincent singled to the outfield on a sinking liner that snuck under the left fielder’s glove to plate Hughston and give Alabama the early lead, 1-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, Houston seized the lead on a three-run home run from Chris Iriart, his third of the season. With one out, the Cougars doubled and then followed the extra-base hit with a walk before Iriart’s home run. The three runs were the first the Crimson Tide has surrendered all season and ended a streak of 32.1 innings of scoreless work by the pitching staff to start the year.
The Crimson Tide received another quality start from senior Taylor Guilbeau, who tossed 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits while walking two and striking out a career-high tying seven batters in the process. Alabama’s bullpen once again provided solid work, helping the Tide limit the Cougars in key situations, tossing a combined 2.0 innings and striking out two.
“The guys are playing hard, and we’ll clean up some areas, but overall I think is why we’re here playing one of the top teams in the country,” Gaspard added. “I thought we matched up really well. I’m looking forward to getting back out tomorrow and playing them again."
Alabama and Houston will continue the weekend series tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. CT inside Cougar Stadium. Junior right-hander Will Carter is scheduled to get the nod for Alabama, while Houston counters with junior righty Jake Lemoine.
Get all the latest information on the team by following AlabamaBSB on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at Alabama Baseball. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
-UA-
RTR,
Diamond Tide :biga:
Feb. 20, 2015
Box Score
HOUSTON – A three-run homer proved to be the deciding factor in Friday night’s game, as the Alabama baseball team fell to the third-ranked Houston Cougars, 3-1. With the loss, the Crimson Tide moves to 3-1 on the early season.
“I thought it was a well-played game on both sides,” said head coach Mitch Gaspard. “Their pitching did a really nice job, as we knew they’ would coming in to this game. By the looks of it, the game came down to a three-run homer. We missed a couple opportunities there with those little things that could win us the game.”
Alabama tallied the first run of the evening in the top of the fourth, starting with a Casey Hughston double off the center field wall just inches short of a home run. Next in the order, Kyle Overstreet grounded to the shortstop with Hughston running to third, but a slide by Hughston that missed the tag gave the Tide runners at first and third with no outs. In the very next at-bat, Chance Vincent singled to the outfield on a sinking liner that snuck under the left fielder’s glove to plate Hughston and give Alabama the early lead, 1-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, Houston seized the lead on a three-run home run from Chris Iriart, his third of the season. With one out, the Cougars doubled and then followed the extra-base hit with a walk before Iriart’s home run. The three runs were the first the Crimson Tide has surrendered all season and ended a streak of 32.1 innings of scoreless work by the pitching staff to start the year.
The Crimson Tide received another quality start from senior Taylor Guilbeau, who tossed 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits while walking two and striking out a career-high tying seven batters in the process. Alabama’s bullpen once again provided solid work, helping the Tide limit the Cougars in key situations, tossing a combined 2.0 innings and striking out two.
“The guys are playing hard, and we’ll clean up some areas, but overall I think is why we’re here playing one of the top teams in the country,” Gaspard added. “I thought we matched up really well. I’m looking forward to getting back out tomorrow and playing them again."
Alabama and Houston will continue the weekend series tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. CT inside Cougar Stadium. Junior right-hander Will Carter is scheduled to get the nod for Alabama, while Houston counters with junior righty Jake Lemoine.
Get all the latest information on the team by following AlabamaBSB on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at Alabama Baseball. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
-UA-
RTR,
Diamond Tide :biga:
