In its first meeting against Samford earlier this season, the Crimson Tide had to overcome a four-run deficit to edge out the win. In the rematch, the Tide got an early lead and held on to win 5-4.
The bullpen, which has been a question mark all season, was the strength of the team Tuesday, giving up only one run and one hit in four innings, including three perfect innings by Trey Pilkington to close the game. It was Pilkington’s first career save.
“I just went out there and did what the coaches told me to do the whole time: to get out there and pound the strike zone,” Pilkington said. “Tonight it worked for me, and it was a good win for this team.”
Head coach Mitch Gaspard said he decided to stick with Pilkington in the ninth because of his strong seventh and eighth innings, and he wanted to give usual closer Jake Hubbard some rest going into this weekend’s series against South Carolina.
“Hubbard has thrown a lot for us over the last two or three weeks, so if we could give him a night off, we wanted to,” Gaspard said. “Trey was in a good rhythm, so we thought made it easier to stick with him.”
The offense exploded early for Alabama, scoring five runs in the first three innings. The Tide scored four of its runs in the third inning, including a two-out, RBI single by freshman catcher and outfielder Ben Moore and a two-run home run by sophomore first baseman Austen Smith. Moore said the third inning helped set the tone for the rest of the game.
“We got on them early, and I think that set the tone for the day,” Moore said. “When guys are in scoring position, you just have to go up there and get a hit and make things happen.”
The Tide’s next series will be at South Carolina, where they will need a win or two to help give them a chance at making the SEC tournament.
Pilkington said the win was important for building some momentum heading into the three game series against the Gamecocks this weekend.
“We needed some momentum going into next series. We just got to get back out there and make sure we win a few up there,” Pilkington said.
Gaspard said the team would need to continue to emulate what they did against Samford in order to be successful the rest of the season.
“The recipe tonight will win anywhere you go, as long as you pitch, defend, and you get timely hits,” Gaspard said.
