After losing a close one on Friday, the Alabama baseball team lost another game to Kentucky on Saturday. Tied 2-2 in the ninth inning, Kentucky hit a walk-off grand slam to take the series.

“You’re frustrated because you’ve had two one-run games that were basically right there,” coach Mitch Gaspard added. “Really, what it comes down to tomorrow is doing everything you can to get out of here with a win.”

The Crimson Tide was actually trailing, 2-1, in the top half of the ninth before catcher Will Haynie tied the ballgame up with a solo shot to left field. 

Once it was back on the field, Alabama called on left-handed pitched Jon Keller to keep it tied, 2-2. With the bases loaded and no outs for the Wildcats, Keller struck out a batter before giving up the final blow to end the game. 

Starter Jake Walters pitched well for the Crimson Tide, only giving up one earned run over 5.1 innings of work.

“We’ve had two well-pitched games to put ourselves in a position to win,” Gaspard said. “The last two games, particularly with our two starters, I thought both of them did a really good job. Pitching-wise and defensively, we did enough, just offensively we missed a couple of opportunities.”