Leading up to the fifth inning Alabama had scored every inning, unfortunately for the Crimson Tide, it was playing catch up the whole time. After the fourth inning, the Crimson Tide couldn’t muster a single run, eventually losing the game 9-5.
Missouri started the game off fast, just like it did all series. It scored three runs to start the game, coming off four hits. The first four batters reached for the Tigers, before starter Nick Eicholtz, retired an out, coming off a sacrifice fly by Trey Harris.
“We just have to get a better start,” head coach Greg Goff said. “Its hard to play when you are down. Our starting pitching is better than what they showed this weekend. Brock Love is out and Nick [Eicholtz] was pushed back as far as possible to get what we could out of him. We just have to get health.”
Alabama answered however scoring two runs of its own in the bottom of the fame. Hunter Alexander and Tanner DeVinny both had RBIs in the inning, Alexander’s coming off a single to left. DeVinny drew a bases loaded walk to score the second run.
Alabama would tie the game in the second inning coming off a RBI single off the bat of Cobie Vance.
“We are well prepared for everything,” Vance said. “We believe we can come back from any score. It’s tough coming back,”
Alabama and Missouri would trade runs until the fifth inning. The fifth inning is where the wheels fell off for the Crimson Tide.
Missouri would plate three runs in the inning, all unearned. The rally started with a walk to Missouri third baseman Alex Samples. He would steal second base. Brian Sharp would get on first after striking out and an error by DeVinny, moving Samples to third base. They would both score on a single by Connor Brumfield. Brumfield would end up advancing on a stolen base and an error by Alexander. He would score off Robbie Glendinning’s single.
Mentally it was a rough game for Alabama. The team finished with four errors on the day, which was a new season high. Alexander finished with three of the four errors. Only five of the nine runs were earned for the Tigers.
In the bottom of the ninth with two outs, Gene Wood hit a ball off the first baseman’s glove. It looked like Alexander would score, so Connor Short took a wide turn around second, and would be thrown out for the last out of the game.
“We haven’t made four errors all year; we hadn’t made four errors in a week,” Goff said. “Hunter Alexander is better than what he played today. It’s just one of those days.”
For Alabama, the loss is the fourth in a row and the second time it was swept. The win marks 19 in a row for the Tigers.
Alabama travels to UAB for its first road game of the season on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
