TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 1/1 Tennessee came up just short in Thursday night’s series opener at No. 10/12 Alabama, falling 6-5 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
It was a game of runs as the Volunteers (20-2, 3-1 SEC) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first and another in the second – highlighted by an Andrew Fischer two-run blast in the top of the first inning – before the Crimson Tide responded with six unanswered runs in the second and third innings.
Alabama (22-1, 4-0 SEC) pounced for five runs in the bottom of the second inning to take the lead. A leadoff single followed by a hit batsman and an error loaded the bases before back-to-back walks and a bases-clearing double by star shortstop Justin Lebron resulted in a 5-3 advantage.
The Tide tacked on another run in the third on an RBI groundout to increase its lead to three after three innings of action.
Neither side was able to score in the middle three innings as both starting pitchers settled in after rocky starts.
Right fielder Bryce Fowler robbed Reese Chapman of a would-be solo home run in the sixth with an impressive leaping grab at the wall, a play that would prove to be pivotal later in the contest.
Liam Doyle suffered his first loss of the season after surrendering six runs (five earned) on six hits and four walks. The junior lefthander did well to battle through his early-game struggles to provide the Big Orange with six important innings to help preserve the bullpen and finished with nine strikeouts on the night.
Late Comeback Comes Up Just Short
Tennessee fought back to cut its deficit to one with a pair of runs in the seventh inning, recording four singles in the frame, including an RBI knock by Hunter Ensley before a sacrifice fly from Fischer to drive in his third run of the game.
The first two batters of the eighth inning reached base but a lineout double play and a strikeout ended the threat. The Vols also had the tying run aboard in the ninth after Jay Abernathy reached base with his third hit of the night, but he was caught stealing before a flyout to right field secured the sixth save of the year for Crimson Tide closer Carson Ozmer.
Loy Looks Good Again
Dylan Loy looked good once again in relief, tossing two scoreless innings to keep UT within striking distance. The sophomore lefty retired all six batters he faced after tossing 3.1 shutout frames in his previous outing against Florida last Sunday.
Up Next
The Vols will look to even the series on Friday night when the two teams meet for game two. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network+ and ESPN app.
