Alabama Baseball Takes First Loss of Season, One Win Shy of Record

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Another solid outing by the Alabama bullpen wasn't quite enough for the Crimson Tide on Saturday, as Lipscomb was able to hold off Alabama, 3-2.

The loss was Alabama's first of the season, falling just one game short of tying the program record for best start.

"I think they did a good job," Alabama assistant coach Jason Jackson said after Crimson Tide coach Brad Bohannon was ejected. "I don't think there was any unnecessary pressure or they didn't do anything to themselves to try to play tight or anything.

"We played our game, we played the way we've played all year, the guys stayed loose and I think until that last pop-up was caught we thought we were going to win the baseball game."

The game was another pitchers' duel, similar to the teams' matchup on Friday night.

Sophomore right-hander Connor Shamblin started on the mound for the Crimson Tide, while junior lefty Max Habegger received the start for the Bisons.

Lipscomb started the game by scoring a run in the top of the first off of an RBI-single by junior third baseman John Shields.

Alabama was unable to retaliate until the bottom of the third when junior right fielder Tyler Gentry doubled down the right field line, brining in freshman second baseman Jim Jarvis in for the tying run.

The Bisons jumped back on top in the fourth, this time on a sac-fly by junior left fielder Carson Wright. Shields advanced from third for the run.

In the bottom of the fourth, sophomore left fielder T.J. Reeves was ejected from the game for drawing a line in the dirt following being caught looking by Habegger. Bohannon did not question the call, and remained in his spot at third base, but was tossed as well.

Bama’s TJ Reeves gets a quick hook for the ole line in the dirt. Agree or not that’s gonna get you tossed. pic.twitter.com/gLgh79LORZ
— SEC Baseball (@SECbaseball) March 7, 2020

"I think it's just kind of an unwritten thing," Jackson said. "He drew a line with the bat it looked like and for a lot of umpires I think that's just [voice trails off].

"[Reeves] just said he was frustrated but he didn't say anything."

Reeves will also be forced to sit out Sunday's game against the Bisons due to the ejection.

Lipscomb increased its lead in the top of the fifth with a single through the right side by junior center fielder Maddux Houghton, giving the Bisons a 3-1 lead.

Alabama cut the Lipscomb lead to one run in the bottom of the fifth when Jarvis walked with the bases loaded, bringing in sophomore first baseman Drew Williamson.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Crimson Tide experienced some more drama with the umpires. With Gentry on at first and with two outs, freshman left fielder Owen Diodati, who had come into the game in the fourth to replace Reeves, was called for a strikeout despite tipping the ball foul with his bat. After much protesting from both Diodati and Bohannon, the umpires convened at the mound.

After several minutes of debate, the umpires upheld their call and ruled Diodati out. At that point, Bohannon decided he had had enough. Bohannon walked over to the umpire to let him know his thoughts on the matter, and home plate umpire Justin Beam decidedly ejected Bohannon from the game.

Coach Bo standing up for Dio and gets tossed. Clearly a foul tip on the audio and @Roger_Hoover heard it too in the booth. pic.twitter.com/UF4LCWehGH
— Right Field Ragers (@BamaRightField) March 7, 2020

After Bohannon's ejection, Alabama was unable to make the comeback in the eighth or ninth, and the Crimson Tide fell to the Bisons 3-2.

The controversial calls by the umpires should not take away from the solid bullpen effort by Lipscomb. Combining the four pitchers the Bisons used during the game, the staff accounted for just two runs allowed off of three hits, walked eight and struck out seven.

Habegger (2-0), who accounted for both runs in five and one-third innings pitched while walking and striking out five apiece, is credited with the win. Junior righty Wyatt Folsom picks up his first save of the season.

Shamblin (1-1) is given the loss for Alabama. Shamblin allowed three runs off of six hits in five innings pitched, walked four and struck out six.

Alabama drops to 14-1 on the season with the loss, while Lipscomb rises to 9-4 with the win.

"I told the guys 'if I told you were were gonna be 14-1 back in February would you have taken it?' Jackson said. "Heck yeah we would've taken it."

The Crimson Tide and the Bisons conclude their three-game series on Sunday (11 a.m. CT, SEC Network).