Early Runs Help Secure 9-3 Win for Baseball

Saturday, March 7

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

12 p.m. CT

Alabama

13-3

North Florida

8-8

North Florida

Alabama

Photo by: Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics

Early Runs Help Secure 9-3 Win for Baseball

3/7/2026 5:35:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Press Conference

The Crimson Tide tallied six runs in its first turn at the plate in Saturday’s victory

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A six-run opening inning set the tone for Alabama baseball (13-3) on Saturday, as the Crimson Tide topped North Florida (8-8) to the tune of a 9-3 score at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

Bryce Fowler paced the Tide with a 3-for-5 effort on Saturday, collecting a double and four RBI. John Lemm finished 2-for-5 with a triple and a double, tallying two RBI and two runs scored. Brennan Holt also tripled as part of a 2-for-3 day, adding a stolen base. Justin Lebron kickstarted the scoring in the 1st with a one-out double, as the junior closed 1-for-4 with two steals. Justin Osterhouse and Peyton Steele both notched one hit and one RBI apiece.

Zane Adams (3-0) battled for 5.0 solid innings, surrendering just two earned runs and five hits to go with two walks and four strikeouts. Austin Morris entered in relief to begin the 6th, issuing one hit, one walk and a hit-by-pitch before exiting later in the inning. Sam Mitchell did well to halt a potential North Florida rally in that same frame, picking up the final two outs of the 6th to strand the bases loaded. Mitchell also provided a scoreless 7th, encompassing his shutout outing. Luke Smyers and Anthony Pesci were tasked with an inning each, with both men recording two strikeouts in their respective outings.

From Head Coach Rob Vaughn

You know, I thought we kind of gave some at-bats away in the middle of the game. I thought we could have put that away a little bit earlier but credit the guys. They kept coming, and when they scored a run, we responded. We executed with the short game late, which is something we work on all the time. So, good to see that come into play. And then I thought Sam Mitchell was awesome. You know, Sam came into kind of a storm there when the game was still kind of in play. (Mitchell) allowed the offense to go back to score and I'm just happy with the way they finished. (Luke) Smyers was great at the end and (Pesci) was great too, so a good win, and now we have to come back and do it again tomorrow.

How It Happened

T1 | The Ospreys were the first to the scoreboard after Matt Farner's one-out single led to a steal of second base. Boone Hosey followed Farner with an RBI single into center. (1-0, North Florida)
B1 | The Tide struck back for six runs in its half of the 1st. Justin Lebron lined a one-out double down the left field line, with Brady Neal walking one batter later. Lebron later stole third, while an errant throw to third allowed Lebron to score and Neal to take second. Luke Vaughn then walked before John Lemm provided a double down the left field line to score both Neal and Vaughn. Succeeding Lemm, Jason Torres and Justin Osterhouse both drew free passes to load the bases. Peyton Steele managed a productive out, grounding out to first to score Lemm. After Brennan Holt was hit by a pitch, Bryce Fowler produced the third double of the inning, scoring both Torres and Osterhouse. (6-1, Alabama)
T4 | UNF worked a pair of one-out walks, leading to an RBI single. (6-2, Alabama)
B4 | Holt opened the inning with a triple to right-center, as Fowler immediately took advantage with an RBI single up the middle. (7-2, Alabama)
T6 | North Florida loaded the bases with one out, as a hit-by-pitch forced in a run. (7-3, Alabama)
B7 | Lemm tripled to center to begin the frame, with Torres following him with a hit-by-pitch. With runners on the corners, Osterhouse dropped a run-scoring sacrifice bunt to bring Lemm home. Holt then managed a bunt single, advancing Torres to third. After Holt stole second to put two in scoring position, Fowler laid down a bunt of his own, scoring Torres. (9-3, Alabama)

Postgame Notes

Bryce Fowler's four RBI on Saturday mark a new season high
Fowler also extended his on-base streak to 10 games
Luke Vaughn improved his on-base streak to 13 games
Brady Neal's six-game hitting streak was snapped, but has now reached base in seven consecutive games
After not recording a triple over its first 14 games, the Crimson Tide has produced three triples over its last two games
Attendance: 3,573

Up Next

Alabama will look to sweep the series with North Florida on Sunday, March 8
The Crimson Tide and Ospreys are set for a 1 p.m. CT first pitch, airing on SEC Network+