LEXINGTON, Ky. – Trailing by four runs entering the 9th, Alabama baseball (15-5, 0-2) scratched across three runs in its final turn at the plate, though a strikeout ended Saturday’s ballgame, as the Crimson Tide fell 8-7 to No. 21 Kentucky (17-2, 2-0) at Kentucky Proud Park.

John Lemm led the Tide offensively, going 2-for-5 with a double and a solo home run, marking his second round-tripper in as many days. In his first start since Feb. 18, Will Plattner tallied a double, an RBI a hit-by-pitch and a run scored as part of a 2-for-4 day at the plate. Bryce Fowler also collected multiple hits, finishing 2-for-5 with a walk. Brennan Holt led all Tide players with two RBI, closing his day 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. Brady Neal continued his hot streak, going 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and one RBI.  

Zane (Adams (3-1) suffered his first loss of 2026 after pitching 4.0-plus innings on Saturday. Adams was largely in control over his first four innings on the mound, though the left-hander surrendered four consecutive hits to open the 5th, leading to his exit. Adams was responsible for six hits, five runs (four earned) and two walks while adding four strikeouts. Evan Steckmesser entered in the 5th and was eventually on the hook for two runs over his 2.0 innings, allowing two hits and one walk to go with two punchouts. Matthew Heiberger picked up one out before surrendering a three-run home run in 7th. Bobby Alcock did well to keep the Tide in striking distance, scattering one hit and earning a strikeout across 1.2 scoreless innings.

 “We fought hard, which was great, but we didn’t deserve to win. That was as sloppy a defensive game as I’ve been a part of. When you lose (Justin Lebron) early, that really throws a wrench in things, but at the end of the day its basic stuff that we do all time that we just didn’t execute at a high level. When you look up at a one-run game in the ninth, all those little things matter. We threw two pickoffs away that led to runs, so just in general, just real sloppy on the defensive end. The kids fought, they could have checked it in. On the road, you have to go take it from somebody and we just weren’t able to do that. We have to regroup and put together a good one tomorrow.”

How It Happened

• T1 | Bryce Fowler opened the game with a walk, but was erased after Justin Lebron bounced into a fielder’s choice. Lebron proceeded to steal both second and third, leading to Brady Neal’s sacrifice fly. The inning continued as Jason Torres drew a walk before John Lemm lined a double down the right field line. After Luke Vaughn was plunked to load the bases, Will Plattner was also hit by a pitch, forcing in a second run. (2-0, Alabama)
• T3 | Lemm launched a two-out, solo home run to right field. (3-0, Alabama)
• B3 | With a man at first and one out, Kentucky singled to center field, though an error by Fowler allowed an unearned run to score from first. (3-1, Alabama)
• T4 | Plattner led off the inning with a double down the left field line. After a wild pitch, Plattner scampered to third, where a throwing error by the UK catcher made it safe for Plattner to trot home. (4-1, Alabama)
• B5 | The Wildcats began the inning with four consecutive hits, including three singles and a double, leading to three runs. With a man at second and nobody out, an attempted pickoff at second was thrown into center, placing the runner at third. UK then dropped down a sacrifice bunt, plating the fourth run of the inning. (5-4, Kentucky)
• B7 | The Wildcats started their half of the 7th with a walk and a bunt single before a sacrifice bunt pushed both men into scoring position. UK’s Hudson Brown then lined a three-run homer into the Alabama bullpen. (8-4, Kentucky)
• T9 | Neal doubled to left-center to lead off the inning, with Torres drawing a walk behind him. With one out, Vaughn poked a single that ricocheted off the Kentucky pitcher and dribbled into left field, scoring Neal. Plattner then singled to left to load the bases. After a strikeout, Brennan Holt grounded a two-run single up the middle to cut the deficit to a run. However, Fowler struck out with the tying run at second to end the game. (8-7, Kentucky)

Postgame Notes

• John Lemm homered for the second consecutive game, becoming the first Tide player this season to homer in back-to-back games
• Lemm’s hitting streak now sits at eight games while his on-base streak is now at nine games
• Luke Vaughn elevated his team-high on-base streak to 16 games
• Bryce Fowler extended his on-base streak to 14 games
• Brady Neal improved his on-base streak to 11 games
• Justin Osterhouse maintained his on-base streak, which now sits at nine games
• Brennan Holt and Jason Torres have now both reached base in eight consecutive games
• Saturday’s game marked the seventh time this season the Crimson Tide has stolen at least three bases
• Attendance: 3,178

 Up Next

• Alabama will close its series with No. 21 Kentucky on Sunday, March 15
• First pitch between the Crimson Tide and Wildcats is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT, airing on SEC Network+