Baseball Blanks UIC with 10-0 Win on Saturday

Saturday, March 4

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

2 p.m.

Alabama

11-0

UIC

4-5

Illinois-Chicago

Alabama

Baseball Blanks UIC with 10-0 Win on Saturday

3/4/2023 5:34:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery Highlights Postgame Press Conference

The victory was the Crimson Tide’s second shutout this season

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama baseball blanked UIC on Saturday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium for the 10-0 series-clinching win in seven innings. The 20^th-ranked Crimson Tide remain as the only undefeated team in the Southeastern Conference and sit at 11-0 on the year.

A pitchers' duel early saw both teams stay scoreless until the fifth. Alabama broke through for three in the home half of that frame before posting a six-spot in the sixth. The Tide then crossed one run in the seventh to secure the run-rule and shutout victory.

Alabama's offense was led once again by Colby Shelton. The freshman stayed red-hot with a second two-homer game in as many days, including his first career grand slam. Shelton finished 2-for-4 with a team-high five RBI and two runs scored. Also homering was Andrew Pinckney, with the right fielder going 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run.

Ben Hess (2-0) picked up the win with a solid 5.2 scoreless innings of work in his start. The right-hander allowed just one hit and issued three walks to go with eight strikeouts before turning the ball over to Alton Davis II. Davis II earned the save with 1.1 frames to close out the afternoon.

From Assistant Coach Jason Jackson

"I'm really happy with the win. It was a little bit of a pitchers' duel early – their guy did a really good job of changing speeds and kept us off balance. We hit some balls hard right at guys, and I think our players did a great job of not getting frustrated and kept on having great at-bats. Ben Hess matched every single zero and gave us a chance to get on the board first. Then, you to go to the bullpen, and pair that with an obviously great day from Colby Shelton."

How It Happened

B5 | Colby Shelton helped the Tide strike first with a solo homer. Ed Johnson followed with a single before Andrew Pinckney hit a home run of his own to score the pair. (3-0, Alabama)
B6 | Jim Jarvis doubled with one down and came across in the next at-bat thanks to an RBI-single from Dominic Tamez. Another single and a walk loaded the bases for Shelton, with the freshman hitting his second homer of the game – this one a grand slam. After a single, walk and hit-by-pitch loaded the bases once again, a sacrifice fly from William Hamiter added one more. (9-0, Alabama)
B7 | Jaxson West started the inning with a walk. Two outs followed before a double by pinch-hitter Mason Swinney put the pair in scoring position. Max Williams was next up, sending a double to left-center to end the ballgame. (10-0, Alabama)

Postgame Notes

Alabama's 11-game winning streak to start the season ties for the third-longest in program history. The 11-game streak to start the new year matches the 1988 squad. The all-time record for wins to start a season is 15 by the 1997 roster.
The Crimson Tide pitched its second shutout of the season. Alabama totaled only one shutout across the 58-game schedule in 2022.
UIC's one hit in the game is the fewest by an Alabama opponent this season. The previous low for hits was two by UT Martin and Feb. 22.
All nine of the Alabama starters reached base safely in the game.
The Crimson Tide totaled 13 hits in the contest and has posted double-digit hit totals in nine of 11 games.
Alabama has hit a grand slam in three straight games for the first time in program history.
Colby Shelton recorded the Tide's third grand slam of the season and third in as many games. Tommy Seidl hit a grand slam in last night's contest with Camden Hayslip recording the first of the season for UA in Tuesday's matchup with Jacksonville State.
Shelton homered twice in today's contest for his second two-homer game this season. He also had two home runs in last night's matchup with UIC.
Shelton extended his hitting streak to eight games. Over that stretch, the freshman is batting .440 (11-25) with a double, six home runs, 12 RBI, 10 runs, five walks and a hit-by-pitch.
Andrew Pinckney has recorded at least one hit in all 11 games this season.
Caden Rose reached base safely in today's matchup and has now gotten aboard in 29 straight contests dating back to April 25 of last season.
Drew Williamson has gotten aboard in all 11 contests to start his graduate season. Including the final game of last season, Williamson has gotten aboard in 12 straight games.
ATTENDANCE: 4,163

Alabama will go for the series sweep on Sunday. The Crimson Tide will look to graduate right-hander Jacob McNairy in the start with the UIC starter still to be announced. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.

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