Lebron, Torres and Bonomolo Jr. each managed multiple hits in victory
2/14/2025
TUSCALOOSA, AL – Alabama baseball overcame an initial three-run deficit to produce a 10-6 win over Bradley on Opening Day at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Following a Bradley three-run home run in the first inning, the Crimson Tide lineup countered with 10 unanswered runs. Jason Torres'plate appearance in the bottom half of the first resulted in an RBI-single, narrowing the deficit. Justin Lebron gave the Tide the lead an inning later thanks to a bases-clearing double into the right-center field gap. Brennen Norton then clubbed Alabama's first home run of 2025 in the fourth, kickstarting a three-run inning that included RBI from Bryce Fowler and Lebron.
The Tide added three more in the sixth, as Lebron, Torres, and Kade Snell each contributed run-scoring hits. Bradley did not go quietly, plating three runs in the ninth and loading the bases with two down to bring the tying run to the plate. Alabama was able to end the threat thanks to closer Carson Ozmer, who induced a swing-and-miss to close out the win.
Zane Adams (1-0) was awarded the win on a night where the Tide used seven different relievers. Lebron, Torres, and Richie Bonomolo Jr.all finished with a pair of hits, including five RBI from the Tide shortstop.
From Head Coach Rob Vaughn
"I thought we actually did some really, really good things today. The end kind of was a little bit funky, but I really like the consistency of our bats. We did a really good job - it can be tough early in the year, on both sides, just because you don't have any information (on Bradley). We knew the starter and then you're rolling guys out of the 'pen that you don't really know what you're getting - a lot of JUCO guys and transfers. So, it's just communicating and adjusting, and I thought we did a pretty decent job of doing that throughout the game."
How It Happened
-UA-
RTR,
Diamond Tide
2/14/2025
TUSCALOOSA, AL – Alabama baseball overcame an initial three-run deficit to produce a 10-6 win over Bradley on Opening Day at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Following a Bradley three-run home run in the first inning, the Crimson Tide lineup countered with 10 unanswered runs. Jason Torres'plate appearance in the bottom half of the first resulted in an RBI-single, narrowing the deficit. Justin Lebron gave the Tide the lead an inning later thanks to a bases-clearing double into the right-center field gap. Brennen Norton then clubbed Alabama's first home run of 2025 in the fourth, kickstarting a three-run inning that included RBI from Bryce Fowler and Lebron.
The Tide added three more in the sixth, as Lebron, Torres, and Kade Snell each contributed run-scoring hits. Bradley did not go quietly, plating three runs in the ninth and loading the bases with two down to bring the tying run to the plate. Alabama was able to end the threat thanks to closer Carson Ozmer, who induced a swing-and-miss to close out the win.
Zane Adams (1-0) was awarded the win on a night where the Tide used seven different relievers. Lebron, Torres, and Richie Bonomolo Jr.all finished with a pair of hits, including five RBI from the Tide shortstop.
From Head Coach Rob Vaughn
"I thought we actually did some really, really good things today. The end kind of was a little bit funky, but I really like the consistency of our bats. We did a really good job - it can be tough early in the year, on both sides, just because you don't have any information (on Bradley). We knew the starter and then you're rolling guys out of the 'pen that you don't really know what you're getting - a lot of JUCO guys and transfers. So, it's just communicating and adjusting, and I thought we did a pretty decent job of doing that throughout the game."
How It Happened
- T1 | The Braves managed consecutive one-out walks before a three-run home run from Bobby Atkinson. (3-0, Bradley)
- B1 I A walk and a wild pitch advanced Justin Lebron to second base with two outs. Jason Torres then lined a single into right to plate the Tide's first run of the new season. (3-1, Bradley)
- B2 I The Tide worked a pair of walks between a base-hit, loading the bases for Lebron. The sophomore capitalized on the opportunity, lining a three-run double into right-center. (4-3, Alabama)
- B4 I Brenna Norton launched a home run over the left field fence to tack on another run (5-3, Alabama).
- B4 I With runners on the corners and one out, Bryce Fowler sent an RBI-single to right field. (6-3, Alabama)
- B4 I Lebron capped a three-run frame with a deep sacrifice fly to right-center, scoring Richie Bonomolo Jr. (7-3, Alabama)
- B6 | After Fowler worked a two-out walk, Lebron lined a double into the left field corner to drive in his fifth run of the afternoon. (8-3, Alabama)
- B6 | With runners on the corners, Jason Torres laced a single through the left side of the infield to add one more. (9-3, Alabama)
- B6 | Kade Snell lifted a high fly ball down the left field line that evaded three defenders, allowing Will Hodo to score. (10-3, Alabama)
- T9 | Six consecutive Braves reached base with two outs in the ninth inning, scoring three runs on two hits in the frame. (10-6, Alabama)
- Friday marked Alabama's 11th consecutive Opening Day victory and its 17th straight Opening Weekend victory.
- In his four career Opening Weekend contests, Justin Lebron is 6-for-9 (.667) with eight RBI, five walks, four runs scored and a home run.
- Lebron recorded a career-best five RBI, becoming the first Alabama player to drive in five runs in a ballgame since Gage Miller did so against Auburn on May 18 of last season.
- With his 1-for-5 line on Friday, Kade Snell extended his hitting and on-base streaks to six games, dating back to last season.
- Carson Ozmer's save on Friday stands as the first Opening Day save for Alabama since Feb. 17, 2017, when the Crimson Tide defeated Presbyterian, 4-3.
- ATTENDANCE : 4,171
-UA-
RTR,
Diamond Tide
