TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama baseball (7-1) claimed both legs of Saturday’s twin bill with Rhode Island (0-7) at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, first earning an 8-5 win in game one before a walk-off, 11-1 victory in game two to secure the three-game sweep. Following a loss on Opening Day, the Crimson Tide has now reeled off seven consecutive victories.

From Head Coach Rob Vaughn 

Yeah, obviously, a really long day of baseball. You know, we all went to bed last night, not expecting to play two (games). We woke up this morning, not expecting to play two (games). And then weather had a different idea up in the northeast. So, just proud of the guys for the professional approach. I mean, they found out at about nine o’clock that that we were going to be playing two today, and they rang the bell. That’s a long, long day. And like I told you, I knew that group would come out and really compete.

GAME ONE 

Holding off a late Rhode Island charge, Alabama tacked on late insurance to cement an 8-5 win in Saturday’s opening contest.

John Lemm’s solo home run in the 7th doubled the Tide lead, as the senior backstop finished a perfect 3-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch and four runs scored. Luke Vaughn also homered as part of a 2-for-3 afternoon, with his two-run blast giving the Tide a one-run lead in the 4th. Vaughn also collected a double to go with a walk. Later in the 4th, Bryce Fowler poked a two-run single to center to extend Alabama’s advantage, with the center fielder producing a 2-for-5 effort. As well, Brady Neal, Justin Osterhouse, and Peyton Steele each contributed one RBI in the win.

Zane Adams (2-0) twirled another gem in his second start of the young season, limiting the Rams to just two runs on five hits across 6.0 innings, not allowing a walk while striking out six. Sam Mitchell followed Adams, surrendering three runs on three hits with a strikeout. Evan Steckmesser entered the game with a one-run lead, though was up to the task. The crafty lefty retired all seven batters he faced, including three strikeouts, earning the save.

How It Happened 

• B2 | After John Lemm singled and Luke Vaughn doubled down the left field line, Justin Osterhouse lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to bring Lemm home and put the Tide on the board. (1-0, Alabama)
• T3 | Jayden Tolentino launched a solo home run to left to even the score. Later in the inning, Jack Hopko managed a sacrifice fly, plating Scott Penney and giving the Rams a 2-1 advantage. (2-1, Rhode Island)
• B4 | Lemm was hit by a pitch before Vaughn launched a two-run home run to left to put UA back in front. Osterhouse and Peyton Steele singled with Brennan Holt reaching base after a hit-by-pitch. Bryce Fowler then lined a two-run single to center to plate Steele and Osterhouse, extending the Tide’s advantage. (5-2, Alabama)
• B5 | Leading off the frame, Lemm dribbled an infield single to shortstop before Vaughn drew a walk. A productive out by Osterhouse pushed both men into scoring position, with Steele lifting a sac fly to center to plate another run. (6-2, Alabama)
• T7 | The Rams singled twice prior to Tolentino sending a three-run homer to left, trimming Alabama’s lead. (6-5, Alabama)
• B7 | Lemm connected on a 1-1 pitch and drove a solo home run to center to get a run back for UA. (7-5, Alabama)
• B8 | Holt opened the frame with a walk and was followed by a Fowler single. A fielder’s choice moved Holt to third, leading to a successful squeeze bunt by Neal to add a late run. (8-5, Alabama)

GAME TWO

Led by freshman Myles Upchurch, Alabama put a stamp on a successful Saturday with an eight-inning, 11-1 walk-off win. The game was made official after eight innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

In his second collegiate start, Upchurch kept URI at bay for the entirety of his outing. The Maryland product scattered just three hits across 5.0 shutout innings, issuing just one walk while striking out seven. The bullpen followed suit, as Austin Morris and Matthew Heiberger combined to allow just one unearned run across the final 3.0 innings.

Peyton Steele produced the game-ending knock after lining a two-run single to center in the 8th, as the sophomore closed 2-for-5 with three RBI. The only other man to garner multiple hits, Brady Neal rebounded after a hitless performance in game one to manage a 2-for-5 evening, notching one RBI and scoring twice. Justin Lebron and Jason Torres both homered in the victory to encompass their lone hits, while Justin Osterhouse and Luke Vaughn both tallied one RBI apiece.

How It Happened 

• B1 | Justin Lebron set the tone with a solo home run to left on a 1-1 pitch, giving the Tide a quick lead. Following the home run, Brady Neal dropped down a bunt single with Jason Torres and Luke Vaughn both earning walks to load the bases. Justin Osterhouse followed with a walk of his own to force in a second run. (2-0, Alabama)
• B3 | John Lemm worked a walk to start the frame, reaching second on a wild pitch. A groundball at the third baseman resulted in a two-base error, allowing Lemm to score. (3-0, Alabama)
• B5 | Jason Torres battled to a 3-2 count before sending a solo home run to center field. A Vaughn single was followed by an Osterhouse hit-by-pitch. Steele then singled to center to bring a run while an error in the outfield permitted another run to score. (6-0, Alabama)
• T7 | URI began the inning with a walk, while a passed ball advanced the runner to second. Consecutive groundouts saw the Rams find the scoreboard. (6-1, Alabama)
• B8 | Brennan Holt led off with a walk and scampered to third after Bryce Fowler singled and later stole second. Neal then lined a hard single to right, scoring Holt. Torres would walk to load the bases, as Vaughn was also walked and Osterhouse was plunked to plate two additional runs. With the bases still full, Steele singled to score the fourth and fifth runs of the frame, initiating the 10-run mercy rule. (11-1 Alabama)

Postgame Notes 

• Across the three-game series, Alabama’s starting pitching trio of Tyler Fay, Zane Adams and Myles Upchurch produced a combined 2.81 ERA (5 ER/16 IP), with all three men earning a win
• Upchurch has totaled 16 strikeouts over his first 9.0 collegiate innings while allowing just one extra-base hit
• John Lemm reached base in both legs of the doubleheader, stretching his on-base streak to 41 consecutive games, a streak that began during his time at Southern Illinois
• Lemm’s solo home run in game one stands as the first of his Alabama career
• After his performance in game one, Lemm is the second UA player to score four runs in a single game, joining Justin Lebron (Feb. 14 (G2), vs. Washington State)
• Evan Steckmesser earned his first save as a member of the Crimson Tide following game one
• The Crimson Tide has now stolen at least one base in each of its first eight games and are a perfect 15-of-15 in its attempts so far this season
• Attendance: 4,909

Up Next 

• Alabama will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss. on Tuesday, Feb 24 for a midweek matchup at Southern Miss
• First pitch between the Crimson Tide and Golden Eagles is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT, airing on ESPN+