Bama Wins Capital City Classic

The annual Capital City Classic is played between Alabama and Auburn each March in Montgomery at Riverwalk Stadium, the Double A park of the Montgomery Biscuits. A so-called “neutral site” game that has never been anything but a satellite home game for the Tigers. Auburn had won nine of the first 10 games in the series, with the Tide only win coming in 2014. Despite being a game that hardly anyone in the Alabama camp wants to continue, the Tide buckled down and took a hard earned 6-3 win on Tuesday night. The Classic drew a Riverwalk Stadium record 7,896 patrons. Freshman first baseman Drew Williamson of the Crimson Tide was voted the game MVP for his 4-4 night with a double and a run scored.

The Tide used a strong start on the mound from freshman Tyler Ras, and strong finish from their closer, Jeremy Randolph to handcuff the Tigers who came in as a top 20 team. Ras, a right hander from New Jersey, got his first taste of the instate rivalry, and acquitted himself well. The 6’4’ hurler was on a pitch count, and went the first three innings, allowing one hits with two strikeouts, no walks, and no runs allowed. Six relievers went the next 3.2 innings and combined to allow five hits and three runs (two earned). Randolph, a grad transfer from Wright State University, went the final 2.1 innings, allowing two hits and was awarded the victory. The Miamiaburg, Ohio native has not allowed a run all season.

Bama took the lead in the bottom of the second inning when Tyler Gentry walked to lead off the inning, then was sacrificed to second by Brett Auerbach with a perfect bunt. Williamson lined the first of his four hits to right field, and when Steven Williamson bobbled the ball, Gentry dashed home. Auburn tied the game in the top of the fourth on an infield single and an error.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Tide retook the lead with the help of some wild Tiger pitching. Auerbach and Williamson lined one out singles to get things started. With two outs, Kobe Morris, Johnny Hawk, and Joe Breaux all drew walks. Hawk’s and Breaux’s free passes both drove in runs. AU added a solo run in the fifth to cut the margin to 3-2.

Meanwhile, Alabama coach Brad Bohannon was parading pitchers out of the pen every few batters. Brock Guffey, Chase Lee, Casey Cobb, Davis Vainer, Kyle Cameron, and Deacon Medders all followed Ras, with Lee having the longest stint with one full inning. In the top of the seventh, the Tigers lead off with a walk, and a stolen base to put the tying run in scoring position off of Deacon Medders. After a fly out and a strikeout, Bohannon called on Randolph to try and preserve the win with a 2.1 inning save. The first batter Randolph faced was left hander Edouard Julien. Bohannon called for a perfect shift, and when Julien lined a ball up the middle it was right at shortstop Kolby Robinson. Robinson couldn't handle the ball that hit and bounced out of his glove, and when his throw to first pulled Williamson off the bag, Will Holland raced home from second to tie the game.

Randolph had a perfect eighth frame, and the Tide plated three runs in the bottom half to reclaim the lead. With one out the red hot Williamson lined a double in the right center field gap. T.J. Reeves drew a walk, before Morris hit into a fielder’s choice, forcing Reeves at second. With two outs, John Trousdale was brought in to pinch hit. On a 2-1 pitch losing pitcher Ryan Watson uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Williamson to score from third. Trousdale went on to earn a walk, and then Morris and Trousdale raced home when Breaux rifled a double to left field, making the score 6-3.

In the top of the ninth Auburn nicked Randolph for a single to start the inning. Holland then hit a sharp ground ball up the middle that Randolph snared and started a 1-6-3 double play. With the Bama faithful on their feet, Randolph fanned Williams to end the game.

Alabama collected 10 hits, struck out five times, walked eight times, and left nine runners on base. Auburn had eight hits, four walks, seven strikeouts and left eight on base.

Who Did What?

• Drew Williamson 4-4, double, two runs, Game MVP
• Joe Breaux 2-3, three RBI, double, two walks
• Tyler Ras 3 IP 1 H 0 BB 2 K
• Jeremy Randolph W (1-0) 2.1 IP 2 H 0 BB 2 K- no runs allowed this season

Overview

A big midweek win over a ranked opponent is always welcome, especially in what is in essence a road game. The large crowd was around 65-70% Auburn heavy. The Tide still left too many runners on base, particularly in scoring position. Bama had a couple of base running gaffes that cost them a chance to expand their lead throughout the game. The coaching staff was a lot more aggressive than normal, sending runners and attempting more straight steals, with success in three out of four attempts. However, one runner was thrown out at the plate, and another was doubled off between third and home on a ground ball to the first baseman. The mixing and matching of the pitchers to the Auburn hitters worked and bought time to get the Tide to Randolph with a late lead.

What’s Next?

A road trip to Gainesville to take on Florida. The Gators are scuffling, off to a 1-5 SEC start, but are still ranked in the top 20. Game times are Friday and Saturday at 5:30 CT and noon on Sunday. All can be seen on the SEC Network Plus - Watch ESPN App.

Roll Tide, Bama Baseball Fever, Catch It

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[ED. NOTE: Alabama was 19-34-1 two seasons ago under Coach Goof and 27-29 in Bohannon’s first season of 2018. The Tide is currently at 20-6 with 30 regular season games remaining. ~cb969]