Four-Run Fifth Propels Alabama Baseball Past Samford, 5-4

Alabama used a four-run fifth inning and added another run in the seventh to defeat the Samford Bulldogs, 5-4, on Tuesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. With the win, the Crimson Tide improves to 7-1 on the season, while the Bulldogs fall to 5-5 overall.

The freshmen led another Crimson Tide comeback as relief pitcher Mitch Greer (1-0) earned his first career win, throwing 2.0 innings, allowing no runs and one hit with a walk and four strikeouts. Sophomore lefty Justin Kamplain threw the final 2.1 innings to earn his second save of the season. Kamplain allowed one hit, a solo home run in the eighth, walked one and struck out three. Samford reliever Andrew Gracia (0-2) took the loss after throwing 0.1 innings, allowing an unearned run on two hits with a strikeout.

Freshman shortstop Mikey White was 3-for-5 with two runs scored to record his second multi-hit game of the year. Freshman second baseman Kyle Overstreet was 1-for-2 with a single two walks and two RBI, which came in the big four-run Alabama fifth. Senior catcher Brett Booth pitched in two walks and a run scored and junior first baseman Austen Smith had two singles, a walk and an RBI.

Sophomore left hander Taylor Guilbeau got the start for Alabama, giving the Tide 4.1 innings of work, while allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Samford starting pitcher Patrick Maronde also did not factor into the decision after throwing 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with six walks and a strikeout.

Alabama will remain at home this weekend when it hosts the Tulane Green Wave, beginning on Friday night at 6:05 p.m. CT, from Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 2:05 p.m. CT, and the series wraps up on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. CT.