The Crimson Tide battled back all night but was unable to clinch the victory
March 4, 2015
Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama baseball team came up just short this evening, falling 5-3, to in-state rival Auburn in the annual MAX Capital City Classic. With the loss, Alabama moves to 7-5 on the season.
"I thought it was a really good fight on both sides," said Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard. "They jumped on us pretty quickly, but I think we did a good job of continuing to battle all evening. Late in the game, we put ourselves in a position to win, but we came up just short."
The Tigers received a solid start from sophomore Keegan Thompson. The righty tossed 7.1 innings, allowing three runs on a career-high 12 strikeouts to help lead Auburn to the win.
Auburn built a lead early for Thompson, putting up a three-spot in the top of the third with all of the runs coming as part of a two-out rally. The Tigers followed with one more tally in the very next inning to maintain a 4-0 lead until the sixth.
In the bottom half of the sixth frame, Alabama would cut the deficit to 4-2. Georgie Salem led off by beating out an infield single to the shortstop and then crossed a batter later when Mikey White tripled to right. Kyle Overstreet recorded a sacrifice fly deep to right for the second out of the inning, and scored White before the frame came to an end one batter later.
The Tigers answered back the very next half inning, adding one run on a wild pitch to set the score at 5-2 and held their lead until an Alabama response came in the bottom of the eighth. White led off the bottom of the eighth with his second triple of the night, this one to center. Casey Hughston followed the leadoff man with a sac fly to bring White across and set the score at 5-3.
Overstreet came up next, with the second baseman singling to center. J.C. Wilhite kept the rally going, doubling deep and moving both runners into scoring position with one out. A hard liner by Chance Vincent nearly missed tying the game, and then a strikeout ended the inning and the Crimson Tide's comeback bid.
Alabama collected five of its seven hits from the sixth inning on, but was unable to produce the runs the team would need to claim the win. The Crimson Tide was led in hitting by White's two triples, an RBI and two runs scored. The two three-baggers this evening mark the first time an Alabama player has accomplished the feat since Travis Garner recorded a pair of triples at Mississippi State on May 17, 2003.
"It was encouraging to see this kind of fight from our team after Sunday's game," said Alabama shortstop Mikey White. "It was good to see us battling back and not giving up. I think we can definitely build on this moving forward."
After tonight's game, Alabama will head to Mobile for a three-game set with Lipscomb. The Crimson Tide and Bisons will take part in a weekend series inside Hank Aaron Stadium, home to the Double-A Mobile BayBears. Friday and Saturday's contest are scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. CT start with Sunday's finale set for a 2:05 p.m. first pitch.
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:
March 4, 2015
Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama baseball team came up just short this evening, falling 5-3, to in-state rival Auburn in the annual MAX Capital City Classic. With the loss, Alabama moves to 7-5 on the season.
"I thought it was a really good fight on both sides," said Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard. "They jumped on us pretty quickly, but I think we did a good job of continuing to battle all evening. Late in the game, we put ourselves in a position to win, but we came up just short."
The Tigers received a solid start from sophomore Keegan Thompson. The righty tossed 7.1 innings, allowing three runs on a career-high 12 strikeouts to help lead Auburn to the win.
Auburn built a lead early for Thompson, putting up a three-spot in the top of the third with all of the runs coming as part of a two-out rally. The Tigers followed with one more tally in the very next inning to maintain a 4-0 lead until the sixth.
In the bottom half of the sixth frame, Alabama would cut the deficit to 4-2. Georgie Salem led off by beating out an infield single to the shortstop and then crossed a batter later when Mikey White tripled to right. Kyle Overstreet recorded a sacrifice fly deep to right for the second out of the inning, and scored White before the frame came to an end one batter later.
The Tigers answered back the very next half inning, adding one run on a wild pitch to set the score at 5-2 and held their lead until an Alabama response came in the bottom of the eighth. White led off the bottom of the eighth with his second triple of the night, this one to center. Casey Hughston followed the leadoff man with a sac fly to bring White across and set the score at 5-3.
Overstreet came up next, with the second baseman singling to center. J.C. Wilhite kept the rally going, doubling deep and moving both runners into scoring position with one out. A hard liner by Chance Vincent nearly missed tying the game, and then a strikeout ended the inning and the Crimson Tide's comeback bid.
Alabama collected five of its seven hits from the sixth inning on, but was unable to produce the runs the team would need to claim the win. The Crimson Tide was led in hitting by White's two triples, an RBI and two runs scored. The two three-baggers this evening mark the first time an Alabama player has accomplished the feat since Travis Garner recorded a pair of triples at Mississippi State on May 17, 2003.
"It was encouraging to see this kind of fight from our team after Sunday's game," said Alabama shortstop Mikey White. "It was good to see us battling back and not giving up. I think we can definitely build on this moving forward."
After tonight's game, Alabama will head to Mobile for a three-game set with Lipscomb. The Crimson Tide and Bisons will take part in a weekend series inside Hank Aaron Stadium, home to the Double-A Mobile BayBears. Friday and Saturday's contest are scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. CT start with Sunday's finale set for a 2:05 p.m. first pitch.
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:
