Five-Run Fifth Inning Lifts Bama over Flashes
2/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Tuscaloosa, Ala. A five-run second inning made the difference in Alabamas 6-1 home victory over Kent State Sunday afternoon. Both teams recorded six hits but the Golden Flashes left eight runners on base to the Crimson Tides three.
We didnt take advantage of our opportunities, said Head Coach Scott Stricklin. We hit the ball better than they did but they (Alabama) executed better.
The Crimson Tide had just one hit leave the infield in the five-run second but a series of mental errors by KSU proved to be costly. Two walks, two bunt singles, two stolen bases a balk and a wild pitch made for a frustrating inning for starter Evan Smith. The right-handed junior tossed five innings, allowing his only runs and hits in the second inning.
They did everything right in that second inning and we did everything wrong, said Stricklin. You take away that one inning... Evan Smith threw very, very well for us today.
Senior catcher Todd Balduf (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto) led off the fifth with a single and later scored on a hit by Emmanuel Burriss (Washington D.C./Wilson). The Flashes threatened in the eighth, loading the bases with no one out but failed to get another run in. Alabama reliever David Robertson, who earned his second save in as many days, struck out three straight batters to end the threat.
Burris, a junior shortstop, finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Four other Flashes poked singles at the plate.
Junior Jason Seelman (Columbus, Ohio/Watterson) threw three solid innings of relief, allowing one run and striking out four.
The biggest positive coming out of this weekend is knowing that our pitching staff is stronger and deeper than we first thought, said Stricklin.<[>Six different starters recorded hits for Alabama (5-2) including catcher Kody Valverdes fourth round tripper of the young season. The Crimson Tide has now won four straight.
Kent State will make its second of five straight weekend trips to the South with a stop in Nashville, Tenn. beginning Friday (Feb. 24) at Lipscomb. The Golden Flashes will take on Vanderbilt and Belmont the following two days.
