Tide Baseball Ties 1997 Team For Best Start In Program History

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The No. 23 Alabama baseball team continued its hot start with a 10-0 mercy rule shutout win over Presbyterian at Sewell-Thomas Stadium on Friday night.

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The victory improved Alabama's record to 15-0 and marked the Crimson Tide's second shutout of the season, with sophomore pitcher Zane Adams (3-0) providing a dominant performance on the mound in front of 3,367 fans.

The 15-0 start ties the program record for the best start to a season with the 1997 team — a squad that finished as the national runner-up to LSU in the 1997 College World Series.

Adams tossed a season-high 6 innings, allowing just five hits and striking out a career-high 10 batters. Juniors Zach Kittrell and Connor Ball closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning.

“It starts with the dude on the mound. Zane was awesome tonight and just set the tone early," head coach Rob Vaugn said. "He was very efficient — it's hard to punch out 10 and still go deep in the game, and that's what he did.”

Alabama was led at the plate once again by standout shortstop Justin Lebron, who went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI — extending his RBI total to 37, which leads the nation.

First baseman Will Hodo also went 3-for-4 with a double, while third baseman Jason Torres contributed with a 2-for-4 effort, including the walk-off RBI single in the seventh inning.

Catcher Brady Neal, second baseman Brennen Norton, and left fielder Kade Snell each added one hit in the series-opening win.

The Crimson Tide will look to break the program record for wins to start the season when it continues its series against Presbyterian on Saturday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

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