Alabama Baseball Sweeps The Defending Champs
In its last game of the 2023 regular season, the Crimson Tide has completed the sweep of the defending national champion Ole Miss Rebels.
Despite its best efforts, the gloomy weather around Tuscaloosa was unable to deter the team from dominating Ole Miss.
Initially scheduled for Saturday, May 20, the game was rescheduled into the last round of a Friday doubleheader. The Crimson Tide looked to improve upon its high standard set in the previous game, as they run-ruled the Rebels 12-2.
Starting on the mound for Alabama was Jacob McNairy. Unlike the last game, where the Tide won by a massive 10 runs, McNairy and Ole Miss starting pitcher Jack Dougherty battled in a low-scoring affair until the eighth inning.
Both teams did find single runs in the third. At the top of the inning, an Ole Miss double lead to an RBI single for Kemp Alderman to put the Rebs up 1-0. But, wasting no time responding, Bryce Eblin found his pitch on a home run to right field to tie the game 1-1.
After the third inning, both teams were locked into a standstill. Neither team could find its rhythm and combined for only 11 hits for the game. Both teams would make a change at the mound in the sixth inning. The Crimson Tide brought in sophomore Aidan Moza, who picked up where McNairy left off. Ole Miss brought in freshman Brayden Jones.
The sixth and seventh innings remained relatively quiet, but action would return at the bottom of the eighth. Leading off, Will Hamiter was walked to first and stole second and third on consecutive ground outs.
Then, with a runner in scoring position, Jim Jarvis was walked to first. Ole Miss, feeling the pressure from the Crimson Tide Runner, decided to make a pitching change to Mason Nichols.
After the pitching change, Alabama's offense finally decided to show up. First, Tommy Seidl found an RBI single, batting in Hamiter and advancing Jarvis to second to take the lead 2-1. Then, with two runners on, Drew Williamson, who leads the team in RBIs, hit a 395-foot home run over the right field wall.
Following its explosive eighth inning, the defense stayed consistent and locked out Ole Miss for the win, 5-1.
The Crimson Tide will now be shifting its focus to postseason play. The SEC tournament will begin on May 22, just down the road in Hoover, Alabama.