Alabama Takes Step Towards Hosting with Series win over Georgia

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 23 Alabama (39-13, 14-12) picks up a vital series win over No. 6 Georgia (40-13, 16-11) with a 5-4 rubber match victory to wrap up an inclement weather riddled weekend, where both squads had to deal with shifting schedules and rain delays.

The series finale went only seven innings, as decided yesterday due to inclement weather.

Today's two wins bring the Tide to 39 regular-season wins, tying Alabama's highest regular-season win total since 2006.

"Just a great day of baseball here for us," said Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn to open his press conference following Alabama's series win over No. 6 Georgia. "That's a really, really good team over there. That offense is scary, they grind out at-bats, there's power. They have power arms on the mound. Just really proud of our kids. We got bloodied up in game one the other day. Like I new they would they responded and got a lead."

Alabama starter Zane Adams earned his seventh win of the season today. The southpaw tossed 4.0 innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs while picking up eight strikeouts. Closer Carson Ozmer picked up the save, his sixteenth of the season, extending his single-season program record that he set earlier in the afternoon in game two against the Bulldogs.

"I've been proud of Zane [Adams] all year," said Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn, "That guy took a punch and got back up off the mat. You know, it's no secret that he had two or three pretty tough outings there early. Since then, he's just continued to get better. Some guys can't pull themselves back up when they get knocked down. I'm telling you ten years down the road when Zane is pitching in pro ball and in the big leagues pitching those experiences are gone help him be who he is."

Adams set down the Bulldogs' lineup to begin the game, punching out two Georgia batters.

Alabama began threatening early, loading the bases with one out for Will Hodo. Hodo pushed a single past the outstretched glove of Nolan McCarthy to take an early 1-0 lead. The Crimson Tide couldn't plate any more runs in the frame, as Garrett Staton and Coleman Mizell both struck out to end the frame.

Adams continued to shove in the top of the second, picking up his third and fourth strikeout as only one runner reached via an error.

For Alabama in the second inning, when it rains, it pours. Jason Torres led off the inning with a solo shot to right center to double the Crimson Tide's advantage. After a Brady Neal groundout and a Bryce Fowler flyout, Justin Lebron singled to put a runner on for Kade Snell, who came through with a two-run jack to right field to push Alabama out to a 4-0 advantage.

Georgia began to pull back in the third, cutting the Crimson Tide lead in half thanks to a leadoff solo shot from Bryce Clavon, his first of his collegiate career, and a Tre Phelps RBI single.

Alabama took back a run in the fourth thanks to a Lebron RBI double, scoring Neal, who worked a one-out walk earlier in the frame.

After a brief rain delay, Hagan Banks took the mound for the Crimson Tide, retiring the Bulldogs' batting order in 1-2-3 fashion.

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Hodo worked a leadoff walk in the bottom of the frame, but the Tide couldn't add insurance.

Georgia continued to chop at the lead, as designated hitter Daniel Jackson hammered a two-run homer to right center, cutting the Alabama lead to 5-4. Matthew Heiberger promptly entered the game, allowing a lone hit.

Needing insurance, Alabama couldn't find any in the bottom of the sixth, leaving the game's fate in the hands of the pitching staff.

Heiberger induced a grounder for the first out of the inning, but hit Robbie Burnett the next at-bat on a 2-2 count, prompting Alabama to bring in Carson Ozmer for the second time today.

Ozmer picked up the first out via a fielder's choice before striking out Kolby Branch swinging to pick up his 16th save of the season and second of the day.

Alabama heads to Gainesville this weekend looking to clinch its last 40-win regular season since 2002 and put itself firmly in the hosting conversation.

For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.