Alexander’s Grand Slam Leads Baseball Past No. 7 Kentucky on Saturday, 4-2

Saturday, March 31

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

2 p.m.

Alabama

18-10, 3-5

Kentucky

18-9, 2-6

Kentucky

Alabama

Alexander’s Grand Slam Leads Baseball Past No. 7 Kentucky on Saturday, 4-2

3/31/2018 7:07:00 PM | Baseball

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The Crimson Tide had two total hits on the day, with the grand slam being the one that mattered

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A game-winning grand slam from senior Hunter Alexander provided Alabama baseball with the necessary offense as the Crimson Tide defeated seventh-ranked Kentucky, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The win ensured the series victory for UA and moved the Tide's overall record to 18-10 and 3-5 in Southeastern Conference play.

"It was a great team win for us," said Alabama head coach Brad Bohannon. "Jake Walters was outstanding, and (Dylan) Duarte and (Deacon) Medders pitched well out of the bullpen. Their starter (Zach) Haake was outstanding, as he took a no-hitter into the seventh. He was effectively wild and had a really good slider that was a real challenge for our hitters. The kids did a great job of keeping their poise and scratching and clawing for this win."

Alabama's offense totaled two hits on the day, with the first coming in the seventh inning to break a no-hit bid by Kentucky starter Zach Haake. The second came from Alexander in the eighth, as the senior took the 0-1 pitch deep to left to clear the bases. Alabama was able to load them up for Alexander with three walks in the inning before the game-winning grand slam.

The Crimson Tide pitchers held the Wildcat offense in check for a second consecutive day. Senior starter Jake Walters was handed the no-decision despite another impressive outing that saw the right-hander throw 7.1 innings of one-run baseball. He gave up seven hits and issued only one walk while striking out seven before turning things over to the relievers with the Tide trailing, 1-0.

Junior Dylan Duarte (3-0) earned the win in the eighth thanks to the Tide's four-run output in the home half. Duarte recorded one out in the ninth before loading the bases. Sophomore Deacon Medders then entered in a jam, with the right-hander closing out the final 0.2 of an inning for his fourth save of the season and second in as many games.

Kentucky struck first after the two starters combined for a scoreless game through the first six innings of play. In the seventh, the Wildcats led off with a double before a single up the middle in the next at-bat brought in the game's first run to make it a 1-0 contest. In the home half of that frame, junior Jett Manning recorded a two-out single off Haake's glove to give UA its first hit of the afternoon.

One inning later, the Crimson Tide would take the definitive lead. Sophomore Walker McCleney led off the inning with a walk – his third of the day. Two outs later, senior Chandler Avant and junior Chandler Taylor each walked in consecutive at-bats to load them up for Alexander. The senior took advantage of his opportunity, putting the ball over the fence in left for the game-winning home run.

In the ninth, a trio of softly hit singles loaded the bases for Kentucky, leading to a UA pitching change. A walk with the bases full brought in the Wildcats' second run of the day, but Medders bounced back to strand three with a strikeout and a flyout to center to end the game.

The series win was Alabama's eight consecutive at home against Kentucky. The Wildcats last won a series in Tuscaloosa in 1993.

Alabama will go for the series sweep of Kentucky on Sunday afternoon. The Crimson Tide will look to redshirt freshman Garret Rukes, a left-hander, in the start while junior righty Justin Lewis toes the rubber for the Wildcats. The game will air live on SEC Network+ with 1 p.m. CT first pitch.

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