The Alabama baseball team lost to UAB 11-4 to complete the Blazers’ two-game season series sweep of the Tide. The loss marks only the third time ever UAB has swept Alabama, the other two coming in 2001 and 1990.
“UAB is a good club,” head coach Mitch Gaspard said. “I knew we were going to have to play well, and we didn’t.”
Alabama wasted an opportunity to jump ahead early when they loaded the bases with no outs in the first. The Tide, however, were only able to get one run as UAB pitcher Shay Crawford recovered, striking out Brett Whitaker and getting Jake Smith to hit into an inning-ending double play.
“The trend kind of continues with leaving men on base,” Gaspard said. “We had two or three chances, [but] we just can’t deliver the hit right now.”
Alabama hit into a season-high four double plays, the most since 2008, when the Tide also hit into four against Cal Poly. Gaspard said that he sees a lack in confidence in play right now with his team, something that must be set straight if the Tide looks to succeed.
“Right now you’re kind of a psychologist, psychiatrist doing every thing you can to get the mental psyche up,” Gaspard said. “Somebody has got to deliver that big hit and once that happens, as contagious as bad play is right now good play can be just as contagious.”
Alabama struggled on the mound as well, allowing 16 hits to the Blazers. Starting pitcher Jason Townsend allowed six runs, with four earned over three and one-third innings.
The Tide has had inconsistent play during the last two weeks, and Gaspard said he is looking for leadership.
“I told the team we are kind of at the crossroads right now,” Gaspard said. “We really need some leadership to step up and take charge of the team.”
Tide first baseman Clay Jones could be the leader that the Tide needs, as he continued his recent success, going four-for-four with double and an RBI.
“Clay was super,” Gaspard said. “I thought he really had the best approach of anyone tonight. That’s what we need from Clay especially going into a tough weekend series against Kentucky.”
Alabama second baseman Ross Wilson was hit in the forearm in the ninth inning and had to leave the game. Gaspard, however, said he does not expect the injury to be severe.
“We will check him in the morning, but it looks like it will just be a deep bruise,” Gaspard said. “It was one of those unfortunate situations.”
Next, the Tide travels to Jacksonville today to take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks tonight at 6:30 p.m. This weekend, the Tide will continue SEC play when the team travels to Lexington, Ky., to take on the Kentucky Wildcats.
“There are a lot of really tough guys on this team,” designated hitter Jon Kelton said. “We are going to come together and get it going a little better.”
