Seven-Run Second Inning Highlights Alabama Baseball’s 13-2 Win over Jacksonville State on Monday

A seven-run second inning highlighted Alabama baseball’s big offensive day at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, finishing in a 13-2 win over Jacksonville State. With the victory, the Crimson Tide improves to 3-1 on the year.

“It was a good win for us,” said Alabama head coach Brad Bohannon. “We had a good approach early, a lot of hard contact. I think they helped us some with walks and HBPs, but we took advantage of it. Just a good effort for us all around. Some guys that came out of the pen and got their first outings were sharp – Kyle Cameron, Dylan Smith – those guys did a great job. This was a very good effort tonight. I’m pleased all the way around.​”

Alabama’s offense tallied 13 runs on 10 hits, including a seven-run second that put the game out of reach for JSU early. Keith Holcombe and sophomore Tyler Gentry each finished the day 2-for-3 with three RBI. Both of Holcombe’s hits were doubles, with the senior also contributing a team-high tying two runs. Also notching a multi-hit effort was Morgan McCullough, as the junior wrapped up his day 2-for-3 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored.

On the hill, the Tide saw six pitchers take the mound with redshirt junior Kyle Cameron (1-0) earning the win. The right-hander filled up the zone with 20 strikes on his 25 pitches across 2.0 shutout frames that included three strikeouts.

The Gamecocks began the day’s scoring, plating one in the top of the first. A one-out single followed by a double put a runner in scoring position before a sacrifice fly brought in the game’s first run. Alabama answered back with a pair in the home half to take the lead after one inning of play.

Joe Breaux led off the game with a solo home run, sending the first pitch over the right field wall for the senior’s first homer of the season. A pair of singles one out later put men aboard and a throwing error by JSU placed both runners in scoring position for Holcombe. The senior capitalized on the opportunity, grounding out to second to bring in the go-ahead run and set the score at 2-1 after one full.

Alabama added seven in the bottom of the second to blow the game wide open at 9-1. A walk by freshman Drew Williamson started the rally before a single from fellow freshman T.J. Reeves put two aboard with none down. One out later, a walk loaded the base for junior Brett Auerbach, who drew a walk himself to bring in the inning’s first run.

Following a JSU pitching change, McCullough singled to right center to bring in two and keep the rally going. A hit-by-pitch in the next at-bat loaded them up once again before Holcombe doubled down line in right to score another two. Gentry joined the rally in the very next at-bat with a single to left, bringing in the inning’s final two runs to give the Tide an eight-run lead through two innings.

Jacksonville State chipped away at the lead with one in the third, but that would be the last of the scoring for the Gamecocks. Alabama used four arms to combine for the final six shutout frames to come away with the win.

The Tide countered with one of its own in the home half of the third. A wild pitch with a runner at third scored one and made it a 9-2 contest after three. Alabama then posted two runs in the fourth to make it a 12-2 lead, using a one-out walk and a double to put a pair in scoring position for Gentry. The right fielder singled to center to bring across one and put runners on the corners. The Crimson Tide followed with a delayed double steal in the next at-bat, as Gentry took second and Holcombe, the man on third, slid in front of the tag at the plate for another tally. A string of walks and an error in the eighth helped the Tide put one more on the board to wrap up the 13-2 win on Monday.

Alabama continues its current 10-game homestand on Wednesday with a single midweek matchup against Alabama State. The Crimson Tide and Hornets are scheduled for a 3 p.m. CT first pitch at Sewell-Thomas Stadium with the game airing live on SEC Network+.

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