D.C. Reeves
Sports Writer
Two columns in the box score have plagued Alabama’s offense all year. They were again the culprit in defeat on Thursday night.
The Crimson Tide couldn’t overcome 14 strikeouts and leaving 10 men on base in a 5-1 loss to No. 23 Arkansas at the Hoover Met.
Alabama (23-22, 8-14 SEC) had eight hits to Arkansas’ nine, but the recurring issue has been getting those runners home. The unproductive outs - notably the strikeouts - strand runners, leading to a team that hits with an opponent but can only muster one run.
“We had opportunities, but it’s been pretty similar most nights,” Gaspard said. “We hit right with them as far as the hits but we don’t seem to deliver the big hit that’s going to be run scoring.”
Thursday was the 11th time this season Alabama has struck out at least 10 times in a game. It has struck out at least eight times in 24 of its 45 games this season.
All nine Crimson Tide hitters struck out at least once.
The game stayed scoreless through the first five innings but Arkansas (27-18, 12-10 SEC) broke the tie with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. Alabama responded with a run in the bottom half on a Kyle Overstreet RBI double to make it 2-1.
Then came a towering two-run home run to left from Arkansas’ Michael Bernal that extended the lead to 4-1 in the seventh. Arkansas padded the lead with a run in the ninth to make it 5-1.
Alabama brought the tying run to the plate down 4-1 in the eighth but Will Haynie struck out with two men on to end the threat.
“Overall we had some shots,” Alabama coach Mitch Gaspard said. “But it’s kind of been the same song and dance. We can’t find that big hit that can get the energy going.”
Arkansas starter Trey Killian (2-3) scattered seven hits over 6 1/3 innings while striking out nine and walking just one. Reliever Zach Jackson, considered one of the top arms in the collegiate ranks, struck out five in 2 2/3 innings of relief to finish off Alabama.
Alabama, which is fighting for one of the final spots in the SEC Tournament, will need back to back wins tonight and Saturday to keep from falling to 2-6 in SEC series this season.
“I just told the guys, we’ve got to stay with it, we’ve got to break through somehow,” Gaspard said.
-Reach D.C. Reeves at 205-722-0196 or dc.reeves@tuscaloosanews.com.
Sports Writer
Two columns in the box score have plagued Alabama’s offense all year. They were again the culprit in defeat on Thursday night.
The Crimson Tide couldn’t overcome 14 strikeouts and leaving 10 men on base in a 5-1 loss to No. 23 Arkansas at the Hoover Met.
Alabama (23-22, 8-14 SEC) had eight hits to Arkansas’ nine, but the recurring issue has been getting those runners home. The unproductive outs - notably the strikeouts - strand runners, leading to a team that hits with an opponent but can only muster one run.
“We had opportunities, but it’s been pretty similar most nights,” Gaspard said. “We hit right with them as far as the hits but we don’t seem to deliver the big hit that’s going to be run scoring.”
Thursday was the 11th time this season Alabama has struck out at least 10 times in a game. It has struck out at least eight times in 24 of its 45 games this season.
All nine Crimson Tide hitters struck out at least once.
The game stayed scoreless through the first five innings but Arkansas (27-18, 12-10 SEC) broke the tie with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. Alabama responded with a run in the bottom half on a Kyle Overstreet RBI double to make it 2-1.
Then came a towering two-run home run to left from Arkansas’ Michael Bernal that extended the lead to 4-1 in the seventh. Arkansas padded the lead with a run in the ninth to make it 5-1.
Alabama brought the tying run to the plate down 4-1 in the eighth but Will Haynie struck out with two men on to end the threat.
“Overall we had some shots,” Alabama coach Mitch Gaspard said. “But it’s kind of been the same song and dance. We can’t find that big hit that can get the energy going.”
Arkansas starter Trey Killian (2-3) scattered seven hits over 6 1/3 innings while striking out nine and walking just one. Reliever Zach Jackson, considered one of the top arms in the collegiate ranks, struck out five in 2 2/3 innings of relief to finish off Alabama.
Alabama, which is fighting for one of the final spots in the SEC Tournament, will need back to back wins tonight and Saturday to keep from falling to 2-6 in SEC series this season.
“I just told the guys, we’ve got to stay with it, we’ve got to break through somehow,” Gaspard said.
-Reach D.C. Reeves at 205-722-0196 or dc.reeves@tuscaloosanews.com.
