Coming into the sixth inning Alabama trailed Missouri 4-3, by the end Missouri would increase its lead to 7-3. Alabama would score one more to lose 7-4. For the Crimson Tide, the loss was the third in a row and dropped the team to just 10-9 on the season.
Missouri first baseman Brian Sharp lead off the sixth with a single, his only hit of the day. Sharp came around to score when Robbie Glendinning singled to center with the bases loaded. Connor Brumfield scored on a wild pitch with two outs, for the second run of the inning. Alabama pitcher Davis Vainer walked the next two batters, leading to the third and final run of the inning.
For the second time in as many days, Missouri started the game off with a pair of runs. In Saturday’s contest the Tigers started off the game with a triple by Brumfield. He would later score on a Brett Bond sacrifice fly. Chris Cornelius later scored off a Kameron Misner single.
“We just keep letting them get out front of us, and it’s just catch up time,” head coach Gregg Goff said.
Alabama’s big offensive inning came in the fourth, trailing 4-1. With two outs Hunter Alexander doubled down the left field line. He was followed by Cody Henry, who doubled Alexander in. Kyle Kaufman followed Henry’s double with a single, scoring Henry.
Dylan Duarte got the start for the Crimson Tide. He went just 3.1 innings and allowed four runs off six hits and allowed four walks in the loss. Sam Finnerty added two innings. He allowed two runs off two hits. Zac Rogers finished the game for Alabama allowing just three hits over 3.1 innings.
Michael Plassmeyer finished with the win for the Tigers. He went five innings and allowed three hits off four hits. Nolan Gromaski, Ty Shoaff and Cole Bartlett finished the game for Missouri. The three combined for just three hits and one run.
“You look at those last nine outs, besides that one pop-up, and we had some really good at-bats,” said Goff. “I was really pleased with how our guys didn’t give up today. I think our team is resilient, and we were one knock away from tying the game up.”
Alabama returns to action on Sunday at noon, looking to avoid the sweep against Missouri.
