Alabama baseball achieved a milestone on May 10, as the team completed its first-ever three-game sweep of South Carolina in Columbia with a 7-6 victory at Founders Park. The win improved Alabama’s record to 35-17 overall and 16-11 in Southeastern Conference play.
This accomplishment marks an important moment for the Crimson Tide, as it is not only their inaugural sweep of South Carolina on the road but also their first sweep against this opponent since taking all three games in Tuscaloosa in 2001. The result highlights Alabama’s strong performance this season within conference play.
Freshman pitcher Myles Upchurch started for Alabama, delivering six innings with six hits allowed, one earned run, three walks, and five strikeouts. Upchurch managed to work out of trouble by stranding the bases loaded twice before conceding his only run in the sixth inning. Ashton Crowther followed from the bullpen but saw four unearned runs score during his two-inning appearance due to defensive errors.
With a narrow lead entering the ninth inning, Hagan Banks attempted to close out the game but an error allowed another unearned run. Matthew Heiberger then entered with one out and retired both batters he faced to secure his third save of the season.
Head Coach Rob Vaughn said after the game: “Winning’s hard, especially on the road and especially in that third game. We did a great job getting out early. We had some opportunities to lengthen that game out that would have made us all breathe a little bit easier, but what an unbelievable job by Hagan Banks and Matthew Heiberger there at the end. Both guys threw yesterday and both guys come out and probably weren’t 100 percent and executed… I’m proud of our team, being down some guys, you can make the excuse and try to find a way to win and show up and that’s what they did, so really proud of them.”
Key contributors included John Lemm who opened scoring with a two-run double while Eric Hines recorded multiple hits along with Jason Torres and Brennan Holt each collecting an RBI apiece. The team matched its season high for sacrifice flies during Sunday’s contest.
Alabama has now swept four Southeastern Conference opponents this year—the most since accomplishing four sweeps in one season back in 2002—and has secured consecutive winning conference records for just the second time since doing so from 2005 through 2010.
Looking ahead, Alabama will host Ole Miss beginning Thursday evening as it closes out regular-season play.
