TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Adam Morgan allowed one run on six hits in 6.2 innings to lead Alabama to a 4-2 win over Vanderbilt in both teams’ Southeastern Conference opener Friday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The Crimson Tide are now 15-1 overall (tying previous best start in school history) and 1-0 in SEC play, while the Commodores dropped to 15-3 and 0-1 in league play. Alabama has now won six straight games over Vanderbilt dating back to the 2008 season.
Morgan (3-0) allowed one run on six hits in 6.2 innings with three strikeouts and three walks. Nathan Kilcrease pitched 1.1 innings of one-hit scoreless release, while Brett Whitaker closed it out with a scoreless ninth to pick up his second save of the year.
The contest was a pitcher’s duel through the first three innings before Alabama scored in the fourth.
Jake Smith’s solo homer, his first homer of the season, sparked the Tide to a three-run inning. John David Smelser reached on a two-out fielding error by second baseman Anthony Gomez. He stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Back to back walks to Jon Kelton and Brett Booth loaded the bases before Brock Bennett roped a single to left-center to score two runs and make it 3-0.
The Commodores broke up Morgan’s shutout bid in the seventh when Connor Harrell singled with two outs and scored on Anthony Gomez’ double to center field.
The Crimson Tide got the run back in the bottom half when Josh Rutledge hit a bloop double down the right field line and scored on Clay Jones double down the left field line.
Gray (3-2) gave up three runs, one earned, on five hits in 5.2 innings with four strikeouts and four walks. Chase Reid closed out the game allowing one run on three hits in 2.1 innings with three strikeouts.
Aaron Westlake, Andrew Giobbi and Gomez led VU with two hits with Jason Esposito and Harrell recording the only other hits on the night.
The Dores and Crimson Tide will continue the series on Saturday at 3:05 p.m. and Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Saturday’s game will be televised regionally on Fox Sports Net and Sunday’s will be on CSS.
