FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Alabama baseball’s late rally came up short as the 22nd-ranked Crimson Tide fell, 3-1, to No. 1 Arkansas on Sunday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium. The loss moves UA to 15-5 on the season, including a 1-2 mark in Southeastern Conference play.
Arkansas recorded a solo home run in the fourth and used a two-out, bases-loaded single in the sixth to take a 3-0 lead. Alabama entered the ninth down three, but a solo home run from Sam Praytor to start the inning gave the Tide life. Caden Rose then drew a one-out walk before a pair of strikeouts ended the game in favor of the Hogs.
Antoine Jean (2-1) was handed the loss despite a strong outing. The left-hander worked 5.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts. Arkansas reliever Kevin Kopps (4-0) picked up the win with 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball while closer Jaxon Wiggins collected his third save, closing out the final frame.
From Head Coach Brad Bohannon
“With the wind blowing in, it was a really tough day to score at Baum-Walker Stadium. Both starters pitched really well. Arkansas took advantage of their opportunities to score and were better than us out of the bullpen today.”
How It Happened
- B4 | Brady Slavens sent a solo shot over the wall in right. (1-0, Arkansas)
- B6 | With the bases loaded and two down, a single to left brought in two more. (3-0, Arkansas)
- T9 | Sam Praytor led off the ninth with a solo home run, his fourth of the season. (3-1, Arkansas)
Postgame Notes
- Chase Lee made his seventh consecutive scoreless appearance out of the bullpen. Lee has totaled 14.0 innings of work across that time.
- Alabama’s bats recorded five home runs on the weekend. The five homers are the second-most for the Tide in a weekend series this season, trailing only the seven across opening weekend with McNeese from Feb. 19-21.
- Jim Jarvis got aboard in today’s game and has now reached base safely in 18 straight games dating back to Feb. 21.
The Crimson Tide returns to Tuscaloosa for a nine-game homestand at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The stretch begins on Tuesday, March 23, as the Crimson Tide welcomes Southern Miss to town. First pitch between the Tide and Golden Eagles is set for 6 p.m. CT with the game airing on SEC Network+.
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