TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Crimson Tide offense posted six runs in the third inning to put the game out of reach early as Alabama cruised to a 9-1 win over Troy on Wednesday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The victory moves UA to 8-1 on the year.
Alabama’s bats produced nine runs on a season-high tying 12 hits including three home runs on the day. The roundtrippers came from Peyton Wilson, Sam Praytor and Zane Denton. Wilson’s led off the game with Praytor and Denton going back-to-back in that huge third inning. Eight of the nine Tide starters recorded at least one hit with T.J. Reeves leading in the team in that category thanks to a 3-for-4 effort that included a double, one run and a walk.
Not to be outdone were the Alabama pitchers. Starter Connor Shamblin (1-0) combined with William Freeman to allow only one run on five hits with no walks. Shamblin worked a career-long 5.1 frames and allowed only one run with a career-high tying six strikeouts. Freeman followed with 3.2 scoreless innings to pick up the save.
From Head Coach Brad Bohannon
“Good day for us at the park. I thought Connor Shamblin and William Freeman both were just outstanding. They pounded the strike zone — nine innings, no walks — both of them commanded their fastball to both sides and threw their secondary stuff for a strike to really set the tone for us. (We had) a lot of hard contact up and down the lineup. Fortunately, Troy helped us some defensively, but eight of our nine starters had at least one hit today. Not perfect — we need to continue to get better — but I’m really glad to get a win over a good Troy club and to be 8-1. I’m excited to get on the road this weekend.”
How It Happened
- B1 | Peyton Wilson led off the game with a solo shot to left-center to get Alabama on the board first. The leadoff home run was his third of the season and his fourth home run overall. (1-0, Alabama)
- B3 | Alabama exploded for six runs in the third thanks to eight hits and an error. Wilson reached with a one-out single and was brought home in the following at-bat when T.J. Reeves singled to center and the ball got past the Troy defender. Drew Williamson then brought Reeves home with an RBI-double and Williamson came in himself thanks to a Sam Praytor home run in the next at-bat. Zane Denton kept it going with a homer of his own to give the Tide back-to-back homers. After a pair of singles and a fielder’s choice, Jim Jarvis singled through the right side to score one more in the inning. (7-0, Alabama)
- T6 | A solo shot by Troy got the Trojans on the board. (7-1, Alabama)
- B8 | Wilson led off the inning with a walk and was followed by Jackson Tate, who was hit by a pitch. A groundout moved both runners into scoring position before a passed ball brought in Wilson. Praytor followed with a 6-3 groundout to plate Tate and widen the gap to eight. (9-1, Alabama)
Postgame Notes
- Connor Shamblin worked a career-long 5.1 innings in today’s game. His previous career-high total was 5.0 which he had on five other times during his career, most recently against Lipscomb on March 7 of last season.
- Shamblin’s six strikeouts matches his career-high total. The junior also had six in that matchup with the Bisons.
- Alabama has recorded two-or-more home runs in six of nine games this season, including three on three separate occasions after today’s game.
- The Crimson Tide put up six runs in the bottom of the third. The six runs were UA’s most in a single inning since last season’s March 10 contest at UAB when the Tide posted six runs as well.
- Peyton Wilson’s leadoff home run was his third of the season and fourth home run overall. Wilson also homered to lead off the games against Jacksonville State (Feb. 23) and against Wright State (Feb. 26).
- Sam Praytor and Zane Denton recorded back-to-back home runs. The back-to-back home runs are the first since T.J. Reeves, Morgan McCullough and Tyler Gentry homered in three consecutive at-bats at Samford on April 9, 2019.
- Praytor finished 1-for-4 on the day to extend his hitting streak to six games. Across that time, the Tide catcher is batting .250 (6-24) with three doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, four runs and three walks.
- ATTENDANCE: 1,742
Alabama takes to the road this weekend as the Tide travels so South Carolina to take on the College of Charleston. Game one on Friday is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT followed by a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday. The series finale on Sunday is set to start at noon with all three games being streamed on FloSports.
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