Alabama baseball secured its first win over a ranked opponent this season, defeating No. 19 Oregon State 8-7 at Riders Field in Frisco, Texas. The Crimson Tide improved to a 9-2 record while the Beavers fell to 5-4.
The game saw Alabama take an early lead, scoring six runs in the first four innings. Brady Neal contributed with a two-run home run in the third inning and finished 1-for-4. Jason Torres also homered in the third and went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk. Eric Hines hit his first collegiate home run in the fourth inning. Justin Lebron led Alabama hitters with three hits, including an RBI double in the eighth inning.
Oregon State mounted a late comeback attempt in the ninth inning, narrowing Alabama’s lead to one run after scoring twice on an RBI single and an error. With no outs and the bases loaded, Peyton Steele threw out the potential tying run at home from right field for a double play. Pitcher Hagan Banks then induced a game-ending fielder’s choice to secure his second save of the season.
Matthew Heiberger earned his first win by pitching 2.2 innings of one-run relief, allowing two hits and striking out one batter. Kaden Humphrey retired both batters he faced in the eighth inning, while starter Zane Adams pitched 4.2 innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs with four strikeouts.
Head Coach Rob Vaughn commented on his team’s performance: “What a game. Oregon State is Oregon State for a reason. We knew they weren’t going to go away. We were in complete control of that game for five or six innings. They had two outs and a runner on third base and here they come. Pinch-hitters off the bench, hit, hit, hit, and just not trying to do too much, just a great approach on their end. I talked to our team on Tuesday. It’s not about making errors, but about making plays. Peyton Steele there in the last inning, that’s what I want from these guys, to be unafraid. Just send your stuff and if you’re wrong, I’ll live with it. I would’ve loved if it had been a 15-2 game, I would have slept a little easier, but for our team to be in that spot like that, against a team like that, will make our team even better.”
The victory marked Alabama’s first-ever win over Oregon State as well as its first top-25 win this season; it now holds a 1-1 record against ranked opponents this year.
Additional notes include Bryce Fowler extending his hitting streak to six games with his leadoff double and Justin Lebron maintaining an eleven-game on-base streak.
Attendance for Saturday’s matchup was reported at 5,771 spectators.
Alabama concludes its weekend at the Frisco College Baseball Classic facing Houston on Sunday at 3 p.m., with streaming available via D1Baseball.com.
