Alabama
32-16, 0
Vanderbilt
27-22, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| Alabama | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 8 | 7 | 0 |
No. 24 Baseball Wins 8-5, Completes Sweep of Vanderbilt
5/2/2026 7:30:00 PM | Baseball
The Crimson Tide secured its first sweep of the Commodores since 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 24 Alabama baseball (32-16, 13-11 SEC) used a five-run 1st first to build a sizable lead before tacking on late runs, as the Crimson Tide finalized a three-game sweep of Vanderbilt (27-22, 10-14, SEC) as a result of Saturday's 8-5 win on Saturday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The Tide offense came out swinging, led by Jason Torres, who clubbed a three-run home run to punctuate the five-run opening frame. Torres would eventually finish 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Bryce Fowler was 1-for-3 with an RBI double, as his two-bagger plated the first run of the afternoon. Eric Hines was also responsible for driving in one of Alabama's first five runs, bouncing into an RBI fielder's choice. Brennan Holt was the only man in the Tide lineup to manage multiple hits, closing 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI. Holt doubled in a run in the 4th prior to lifting a solo home run in the 8th. Justin Lebron was 1-for-3, tallying an RBI, two hit-by-pitches, one stolen base and one run scored.
Myles Upchurch (6-3) battled his command for the majority of his outing but did well to navigate 5.1 innings and pick up the sixth win of his freshman season. In his 12th start, Upchurch surrendered four hits and four earned runs in addition to walking three and hitting two batters while adding three strikeouts. Matthew Heiberger was nearly flawless out of the bullpen, allowing just one unearned run over 2.2 innings, scattering three hits. Hagan Banks notched his sixth save of the spring, working around one hit while striking out one in his lone inning.
From Head Coach Rob Vaughn
"Yeah, another good day. I think the offense really set the tone in the first with some really good swings. (Wyatt) Nadeau is going to be a really good arm in this league, man, and he's young. He's just gonna keep getting better. But I thought offensively, just really tough at bats in the first. I thought Myles (Upchurch) did just an unbelievable job today, really competing without his best stuff. His command wasn't quite as good as it's been the last few weeks, and I told him at the end, that's what winners do. When you don't have your best stuff and you're still pitching in the sixth inning is pretty dang impressive. He gives up the three-spot, comes back in and pretty much stifles them the rest of the way. Matthew Heiberger did an unbelievable job. On short rest, coming in and give some length to keep (Hagan) Banks really fresh there at the end. So, really good job there. We played really good defense, turning a big double play. (Jason) Torres had just a great day all around. So, all-in-all, just a great weekend. And, you know, but I told the group, we're a long way away from being done here. We haven't hit any goals we have yet. We haven't reached any of that yet. So, we got to be mature enough to take these next couple days to recover and get out and have a really good week starting at Troy on Tuesday."
How It Happened
- B1 | With one out, Justin Lebron singled to center, with Brady Neal blooping a single of his own into center. Then, Bryce Fowler doubled into the left-center gap to score Lebron. With two in scoring position, Eric Hines bounced a fielder's choice at shortstop, as Ryker Waite made a heads-up play to nab Fowler trying to advance to third, though the groundball allowed Neal to come home. After John Lemm walked, Jason Torres lined an 0-2 pitch over the fence in left-field. (5-0, Alabama)
- T2 | Braden Holcomb singled up the middle to lead-off the inning, later stealing second with two outs. After Ruston Rigdon was plunked, Colin Barczi lifted a three-run homer to right-center. (5-3, Alabama)
- T3 | Mike Mancini opened the inning with a walk before swiping second with one out. Holcomb then singled up the middle to drive in Mancini. (5-4, Alabama)
- B4 | Torres and Andrew Purdy worked consecutive walks to start the inning, with Torres advancing to third following a Peyton Steele flyout to right. Brennan Holt then drove in Torres with a double off the fence in right-center. After the double, Lebron grounded out to shortstop to bring in Purdy. (7-4, Alabama)
- T7 | Leading off, Korbin Reynolds doubled to left-center and took third on a passed ball. Waite then scored Reynolds with a sacrifice fly to right. (7-5, Alabama)
- B8 | With two outs, Holt lined a solo homer into the right field terrace. (8-5, Alabama)
Postgame Notes
- Alabama earned its first three-game sweep of Vanderbilt since 2009
- The Crimson Tide also picked up its first three-game home sweep of the Commodores since 2006
- The 2026 campaign marks the first season since 2009 that Alabama has swept three three-game SEC series
- Justin Lebron stole his 36th base in 37 attempts on Saturday and now sits at fifth for most stolen bases in a single season in Alabama program history
- Lebron now owns 63 career stolen bases, the third-most in a career in the Crimson Tide record book
- Brady Neal extended his on-base streak to 39 games
- Bryce Fowler has now reached base in six consecutive games
- Jason Torres has reached base in five straight games
- Eric Hines' six-game on-base streak was snapped on Saturday
- Attendance: 4,258
Up Next
- Alabama will close its midweek slate, traveling to Troy on Tuesday, May 5
- The Crimson Tide and Trojans are scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT first pitch, airing on ESPN+
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Upchurch, Myles (6-3)
L: Wyatt Nadeau (1-3)
S: Banks, Hagan (6)
Batting:
2B: Korbin Reynolds 1
HR: Colin Barczi 1
RBI: Ryker Waite 1 ; Braden Holcomb 1 ; Colin Barczi 3
SF: Ryker Waite 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mike Mancini 1 ; Braden Holcomb 1 ; Rustan Rigdon 1 ; Colin Barczi 1 ; Korbin Reynolds 1
SB: Mike Mancini 1 ; Braden Holcomb 2
HBP: Rustan Rigdon 1 ; Korbin Reynolds 1
Batting:
2B: Holt, Brennan 1 ; Fowler, Bryce 1
HR: Holt, Brennan 1 ; Torres, Jason 1
RBI: Holt, Brennan 2 ; Lebron, Justin 1 ; Fowler, Bryce 1 ; Hines, Eric 1 ; Torres, Jason 3
SH: Holt, Brennan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Holt, Brennan 1 ; Lebron, Justin 1 ; Neal, Brady 1 ; Hines, Eric 1 ; Lemm, John 1 ; Torres, Jason 2 ; Purdy, Andrew 1
SB: Lebron, Justin 1
HBP: Lebron, Justin 2
