TUSCLAOOSA, Ala. – Alabama scored in five of the first six innings and held off a late Vanderbilt rally to win the series opener 6-4 Friday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The Crimson Tide (15-24, 5-11) scored a two-out run in the first on Ben Moore’s RBI-single to take an early lead. The Commodores (17-21, 6-10) battled back to tie the game in the third when Anthony Gomez singled up the middle to drive in Vince Conde. The Vanderbilt lead was short-lived, however, as the Tide scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings before blowing the game open in the sixth with two runs to take a 6-1 lead. VU attempted a comeback scoring three runs over the team’s final two at-bats. Anthony Gomez blasted his first home run of the season with a two-run shot in the eighth. Back-to-back, one-out doubles in the ninth from Vince Conde and Connor Harrell cut the Alabama lead to two runs but two straight fly outs from Tony Kemp and Gomez ended the game.
Crimson Tide starter Spencer Turnbull (2-3) worked 5.1 solid innings to earn the win. The freshman allowed one unearned run on six hits with six strikeouts. Vanderbilt starter T.J. Pecoraro (0-1) took the loss giving up four runs, three earned, on six hits. Jake Hubbard nailed down his third save of the season despite allowing a run in the ninth.
Anthony Gomez paced the Dores with three of the team’s 10 hits, including his first home run since his freshman season in 2010. Gomez drove in three runs and extended his hitting streak to 10 games in the loss. Conrad Gregor added two doubles and Conde went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jared Reaves scored two runs for the Tide going 2-for-4 with a solo homer. Brett Booth also added a solo home run in the victory.
The Commodores turn to freshman Tyler Beede (1-4) tomorrow against Alabama freshman lefty Taylor Guilbeau (3-2). First pitch is slated for 2:05 p.m.
