After Friday night’s loss to East Carolina that was the second in a row and the fourth in the last five games, Alabama baseball head coach Mitch Gaspard said his team was in need of something positive and someone to step up and make a big hit at the right time.
In the bottom of the second inning, catcher Ben Moore doubled to right-center to pave the way for second baseman Kenny Roberts to score and tie the game, 1-1. The early offensive surge energized the Crimson Tide for the rest of the game, willingAlabamato a win over the No. 14 Louisville Cardinals 7-6.
Energy ran wild through theAlabamadugout, causing starting pitcher Taylor Gilbeau to nearly sprint off the mound towards the dugout screaming in jubilation after retiring two straight batters with runners on second and third in the top of the fifth inning.
The key outs kept the score tied at three soAlabamacould score three runs in the bottom of the same inning to take a 6-3 lead.
But maybe there was some outside influence.
“[Senior centerfielder] Taylor Dugas told us we were all getting Red Bulls before the game and we were coming fired up,” Gilbeau said. “We all did it yesterday and we did it again today and it helped our energy. Look what happened when we played with energy.”
Designated hitter Jon Kelton added, “We’ll keep doing them, I’ll say that much.”
In the on-field action,Alabamabrought the energy that Gaspard has been preaching to his team all season long. Gaspard said his team did a good job of not giving up when things got tough in the game and of fighting back.
More importantly, the Tide has tasted victory again, something it has done only once in ten days before Saturday night’s win. Gaspard said his team needed the win for betterment of the team psyche.
Kelton added, “Sometimes it’s those games right there that are ugly, you’re not playing well again, you’ve lost several games in a row and you find a way to win. This is one of the best team wins [Alabamahas had this season].”
During the week of preparation for this weekend’s tournament, the team talked extensively about the need for momentum, and now the Tide has to carry the momentum forward.
“We certainly hope [Saturday night’s win will boost momentum],” Gaspard said. “The reality is, we have a young pitching staff and there’s going to be some growing pains with that. But, I think some guys grew up tonight and we’ll see if that can carry on to our next outing.”
Alabamawraps up the DRASH Alabama Baseball Classic against Oral Roberts Sunday at 2 p.m. Oral Roberts is 0-2 thus far in the tournament, losing toLouisville7-3 on Friday and toEast Carolina4-2 on Saturday. The Golden Eagles present a serious offensive threat in second baseman Cam Schiller, who has three homeruns and four RBI in only two games this weekend.
