News Summary
The Alabama baseball team suffered a disappointing series loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, marking back-to-back defeats in SEC play. The Crimson Tide, ranked No. 10, ended the weekend with a loss of 4-2 on Sunday, resulting in a season record of 29-8 but struggles with an 8-7 record in conference play. The team seeks to regroup as they prepare for future matchups while reflecting on past performances. Coach Rob Vaughn aims to shake things up to improve their standing.
Crimson Tide Faces Tough Times After Series Loss to Bulldogs in Starkville
STARKVILLE, Miss. – It was a tough weekend for Alabama baseball, as they recently lost their series against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Crimson Tide, who hold a No. 10 ranking, dropped the final game on Sunday, April 12, 2025, with a score of 4-2. With this defeat, their season record stands at a respectable yet disappointing 29-8 overall but a rocky 8-7 in SEC play.
Struggles Continue for the Tide
Alabama’s struggles in the SEC this season have become increasingly apparent, as they’ve now experienced back-to-back series losses against teams that are currently unranked. Just a day prior, they faced a challenging road match against Auburn, where they lost 2-1. Mississippi State, entering the series with a record of 22-14 and a 5-10 standing in the SEC, showcased their perseverance and determination.
Game Highlights
In what turned out to be a less-than-stellar performance, Alabama managed to produce only two hits throughout the game, led by first baseman Will Hodo and catcher Brady Neal. In contrast, Mississippi State capitalized on their chances, amassing a total of five hits from six different players. The Alabama pitching staff faced a significant challenge, with Braylon Myers taking the loss despite striking out four batters, while the starting pitcher, Tyler Fay, fanned a whopping ten Bulldogs before being replaced after 3.1 innings.
Pivotal Moment and Player Performances
The game featured a moment of unexpected drama when an injury occurred to the home-plate umpire due to a foul ball, resulting in an 11-minute delay. Carson Ozmer, who came in during the ninth inning, has impressed this season with a 1.23 ERA and an undefeated record of 3-0 alongside 11 saves across 17 appearances. However, it was the Bulldogs’ Reese and Ross Highfill who made their mark with home runs, establishing a 4-2 lead going into the final moments of the game.
Alabama’s Silver Linings
Despite the disappointing outcomes in other games, Alabama did manage to find some glimmers of hope earlier in the series. They secured a solid 4-1 victory against Mississippi State in game two, highlighted by a strong pitching performance from Riley Quick, who pitched 5.1 innings allowing just one earned run. The efforts of Richie Bonomolo Jr. were crucial, as he delivered a two-RBI double and contributed an insurance run with a sacrifice fly.
Looking Ahead
As Alabama now prepares for their next matchup against UAB, they will have to address the challenges that have plagued their starting pitching, currently tying them for eighth in the SEC standings. Coach Rob Vaughn opted for Tyler Fay instead of the usual Sunday starter, Bobby Alcock, indicating a need to shake things up and find a solution. The Tide’s upcoming game against LSU, a team ranked among the best in the nation, will certainly test their mettle.
Fans and supporters of the Crimson Tide are holding out hope that the team can regroup and come back stronger in the following games as they continue their journey through the unpredictable SEC landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Tuscaloosa News
- Sports Illustrated
- Hail State
- Wikipedia: Alabama Crimson Tide Baseball
- Google Search: Alabama baseball news
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
