Garrett McMillan, Alabama pitcher — USA Today

Missed Opportunities Prove Costly as Alabama Baseball Drops Game, Series at No. 6 Arkansas

The Crimson Tide left a total of 10 runners on base in its 5-4 loss to the Razorbacks.

Author:
Joey Blackwell
Updated:
Apr 2, 2023 6:58 PM EDT
Original:
Apr 2, 2023

Despite an abundance of opportunities, Alabama baseball lost at No. 6 Arkansas on Sunday afternoon, with the Razorbacks clinching the three-game series with a 5-4 win.

The loss for the Crimson Tide marks the third one-run conference loss since the start of SEC play.

"This was a tough one," Alabama head coach Brad Bohannon said in a statement. "We had a chance to win a signature series on the road against a top-10 opponent. We just needed to make one more big pitch or get one more big hit. We did a lot of really good things this weekend, competed really, really well. Unfortunately, it just wasn't quite enough to win a series."

Alabama started off strong in the top of the first when designated hitter Dominic Tamez hit a two-RBI single to center field, giving the Crimson Tide an early 2-0 lead. However, in the bottom of the inning, Alabama starter Grayson Hitt experienced trouble, giving up an RBI-single and allowing a second Razorbacks baserunner to score off a wild pitch.

While Hitt struggled in the first, he quickly bounced back and pitched three more solid innings and kept the game within reach for Alabama. He was pulled after pitching 4.0 innings after giving up three runs off four hits, walking three batters and striking out three more.

In the top of the fifth, a solo home run by Alabama shortstop Jim Jarvis gave the Crimson Tide the lead once again. However, just like in the bottom of the first, Arkansas responded. A two-run home run by Razorbacks left fielder Jared Wegner propelled the home team back out in front, 4-3.

Alabama left fielder Tommy Seidl scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth, tying the game. However, it would be the last run of the game for the Crimson Tide. An RBI-single by Arkansas catcher Parker Rowland gave the Razorbacks a one-run lead that would ultimately prove to be the final score: 5-4.

In total, the Crimson Tide left 10 baserunners stranded over the course of the game.

An optimistic note for Alabama was the return of last year's Friday starter in Garrett McMillan, who had been out since the start of the season with a shoulder injury that he had suffered in spring practice. McMillan was far from perfect, pitching 1.1 innings and surrendering two runs off two hits while walking one and striking out one. However, his return could prove valuable to Alabama moving forward should he be able to return to his status as a proven pitcher in the Crimson Tide's rotation.

McMillan was saddled with the loss, moving to 0-1 on the season. Arkansas reliever Dylan Carter moved to 4-0 on the season with the win, while Gage Wood was credited with the save for the Razorbacks.

With the loss, Alabama moves to 21-8 on the season and is 3-6 in the conference through the first three weekends of SEC play. Arkansas, on the other hand, is 23-5 overall and 6-3 in the conference.

Up next, the Crimson Tide returns home to host Troy on Tuesday night (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network+) before hosting Mississippi State in a three-game series on Thursday-Saturday.