Eicholtz, Bullpen Shine as Alabama Baseball Claims 5-1 Series-Clinching Win over Maryland

A strong start paired with a solid outing from the bullpen helped propel Alabama baseball to the 5-1 victory over Maryland on Sunday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The win improves the Tide to 2-1 and earns the team its first series victory of 2016.

In an efficient effort, junior starter Nick Eicholtz worked 6.0 innings of one-run baseball, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out four on 84 total pitches. He would run into trouble in the top of the seventh, when two Terrapins moved into scoring position with no outs to end his day. Junior college transfer Matt Foster entered the game and extinguished the threat, striking out one in the effort. Foster was followed by Thomas Burrows who collected his second save of the young season with 2.0 innings of work that included four of the six outs coming by way of the strikeout.

The Crimson Tide offense would use a two-run third and a three-run eighth inning to ensure the victory. Chandler Avant and Cody Henry each finished with two hits apiece, while Avant added one RBI and two runs scored, accounting for both of Henry’s RBI on the day.

Next up for Alabama is a midweek contest in Tuscaloosa as the Crimson Tide hosts Nicholls State on Wednesday, Feb. 24. The game is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT first pitch on SECN+. Following the lone midweek game, Alabama will welcome North Dakota to Tuscaloosa for a three-game series from Friday, Feb. 26 until Sunday, Feb. 28.