Alabama
4-1
Alabama State
2-2
Pitching Leads Alabama to 2-1 Win over Alabama State
2/18/2026 8:45:00 PM | Baseball
The Crimson Tide utilized six different pitchers in the victory over the Hornets
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama (4-1) was led by its pitching staff on Wednesday, as the Crimson Tide held Alabama State (2-2) to just one extra-base hit in a 2-1 win at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Bobby Alcock (1-0) earned the win after entering in the 4th, with the big right-hander surrendering just one hit across 2.0 scoreless frames, adding three strikeouts. Luke Smyers was tasked with his first collegiate start, as the freshman allowed three hits and one earned run to go with two walks and three punchouts.
Sam Mitchell, Evan Steckmesser and Kaden Humphrey were among the stable of arms that contributed Wednesday's winning effort, with the trio collectively responsible for just three hits and five strikeouts across a combined 4.0 shutout innings. Matthew Heiberger earned his first save of the season after taking the ball in the 9th, with the veteran left-hander retiring all three batters he faced, including two strikeouts.
The Crimson Tide was held to only five hits, as Brennan Holt was the lone Alabama player to manage multiple hits, closing 2-for-3 with a double. John Lemm, Peyton Steele and Eric Hines all collected singles, while Justin Lebron was 0-for-2 with two walks and two stolen bases in as many attempts.
From Head Coach Rob Vaughn
"Credit to Alabama State, they played hard tonight. The pitching staff was outstanding. Sam Mitchell, just tons of sinkers at the bottom. Bobby Alcock Just kept getting better as he went. That was more of the Bobby we saw that was the SEC Pitcher of the Week down at College Station last year. Then (Kaden) Humphrey and (Matthew) Heiberger at the end. I talked to our guys, winning baseball games is hard, but there's a standard to what it means to play at Alabama, and we didn't live up to that tonight. Credit Alabama State. Man, they gave us all we can handle. We didn't play the game the right way. We didn't play hard, and we're going to fix that, I can promise you. Today just simply was short of our standard. We're very fortunate that we showed up on the pitching staff and attacked and competed. We're going to have to be heck a lot tougher on the other side of the ball come Friday."
How It Happened
- T2 | The Hornets opened the inning with a single and that was followed by a double two batters later, placing two runners in scoring position. A walk then loaded the bases with an RBI single into center scoring the first run of the game. (1-0, Alabama State)
- B3 I Justin Lebron worked a one-out walk, later stealing second. On an attempted pickoff at second, an errant throw allowed Lebron to advance two bases and level the score. (1-1)
- B5 I Eric Hines led off the frame with a single to center before Brennan Holt singled to right, placing runners at the corners. Holt later stole second, putting two men in scoring position. With Lebron at the plate, a passed ball reached the backstop allowing Hines to score the eventual game-winning run. (2-1, Alabama)
Postgame Notes
- Alabama improved to a perfect 12-0 in 12 all-time matchups against Alabama State
- Matthew Heiberger secured his first save of the season and just the second of his Alabama career, marking his first save since March 2, 2024 against Arizona
- John Lemm advanced his on-base streak to 39 consecutive games after singling in the 1st
- Justin Lebron stole two more bases on Wednesday, with the junior shortstop now totaling eight stolen bases in as many tries across his first five games
- Eric Hines' single in the 5th marked the first collegiate hit of the freshman's Alabama career
- ATTENDANCE: 3,513
Up Next
- Alabama will remain at home for a three-game series against Rhode Island beginning Friday, Feb. 20
- The Crimson Tide and Rams are set for a 4 p.m. CT first pitch on Friday, airing on SEC Network+
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Alcock, Bobby (1-0)
L: Jaxon Baptist (0-1)
S: Heiberger, Matthew (1)
Batting:
2B: Cale Clark 1
RBI: Breydon Divine 1
SH: Breydon Divine 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Alex Espaillat 1
HBP: Miguel Oropeza 1
Batting:
2B: Holt, Brennan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lebron, Justin 1 ; Hines, Eric 1
SB: Lebron, Justin 2 ; Holt, Brennan 1
