Alabama
3-1
Samford
2-2
Steele’s Late Homer Lifts Alabama to 3-2 Win at Samford
2/17/2026 8:45:00 PM | Baseball
The Crimson Tide erased a two-run deficit in the 8th in the comeback victory
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Trailing 2-0 entering the 8th, Alabama baseball (3-1) rallied for three runs in the inning, punctuated by Peyton Steele's go-ahead, two-run home run, as the Crimson Tide picked up its first midweek win of 2026 with a 3-2 victory over Samford (2-2) at Joe Lee Griffin Field on Tuesday.
The homer stood as Steele's lone hit of the night, as the sophomore finished 1-for-4. Justin Lebron was 1-for-3 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch and three stolen bases in three attempts. Jason Torres collected a single and two walks to encompass his 1-for-3 line, while Brady Neal added a base-hit to maintain the rally in the 8th. Will Plattner was responsible for a sacrifice fly to kickstart the three-run 8th inning, closing 0-for-2 with a walk.
JT Blackwood didn't factor into the pitching decision on Tuesday, though the senior was phenomenal in his first start of the new season. Blackwood limited the Bulldogs to just two hits across 6.0 scoreless innings, surrendering only two walks to go with two strikeouts. After reclaiming the lead in the 8th, Alabama turned to Hagan Banks with a one-run lead. The veteran right-hander slammed the door across 2.0 shutout frames, striking out five while scattering a pair of hits, earning the save.
From Head Coach Rob Vaughn
"I told the guys before the game it was going to be 27 outs of hell today, and that's exactly what it was. It was competitive, it was tough. We got an unbelievable start out of (JT) Blackwood and was probably his best in a Crimson Tide uniform thus far. We were down two (runs) late and the guys didn't panic. Hagan Banks being back healthy and we got a good version of him. He was outstanding tonight. I was proud of the toughness and resilience the guys showed and now have to flip the page and get ready for a tough Alabama State team coming into town tomorrow."
How It Happened
- B7 | The Bulldogs singled to open the inning, with a stolen base and a wild pitch pushing the runner to third. With one out, Luke Boykin lined a single to left to plate the first run of the game. Boykin advanced to second after a wild pitch, leading to Trey Higgins' RBI single up the middle. (2-0, Samford)
- T8 I With one out, Andrew Purdy pinch-hit for Luke Vaughn, who eventually reached first after being hit by a pitch. Brady Neal then singled through the right side to place runners on the corners. Will Plattner lined a sacrifice fly to center to score Purdy before Peyton Steele put the Crimson Tide up for good with a two-run home run to right-center. (3-2, Alabama)
Postgame Notes
- Alabama extended its winning streak over Samford to 12 consecutive games, a streak that began in 2019
- JT Blackwood pitched a career-high 6.0 innings on Tuesday, surpassing his previous career best of 4.0 innings set twice last season
- Hagan Banks notched his first-career save following 2.0 shutout innings
- Banks' five strikeouts were also the most by the right-hander since recording six strikeouts at Texas A&M back in 2023
- Peyton Steele's go-ahead home run marked Alabama's first game-winning home run since Coleman Mizell against Missouri on April 24 of last season
- Justin Lebron matched his career high with three stolen bases, last accomplished at Samford on April 22 of last season
- Bryce Fowler's eight-game hitting streak, carried over from the 2025 season, was snapped on Tuesday, though he extended his on-base streak to 16 games with a walk
- ATTENDANCE: 1,613
Up Next
- The Tide will get right back to work tomorrow when Alabama hosts Alabama State on Wednesday, Feb. 18
- The Crimson Tide and Hornets are set for a 4 p.m. CT first pitch with the game airing on SEC Network+
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Morris, Austin (1-0)
L: John Malone (0-1)
S: Banks, Hagan (1)
Batting:
HR: Steele, Peyton 1
RBI: Plattner, Will 1 ; Steele, Peyton 2
SF: Plattner, Will 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Purdy, Andrew 1 ; Neal, Brady 1 ; Steele, Peyton 1
SB: Lebron, Justin 3
HBP: Lebron, Justin 1 ; Purdy, Andrew 1 ; Neal, Brady 1
Batting:
RBI: Luke Boykin 1 ; Trey Higgins 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jake Souders 1 ; Luke Boykin 1
SB: Jake Souders 1
CS: Gus Gandy 1
