Alabama Survives Late Mizzou Rally to Win Game One of SEC Tournament 4-1

HOOVER, Ala. — No. 23 Alabama (41-15, 16-14) takes down Missouri (16-39, 3-27) 4-1 in game one of the SEC tournament thanks to a strong outing from the Crimson Tide pitching staff.

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Alabama starter Tyler Fay earned credit for the win, his first of the season. The Nebraskan tossed six innings of one-run baseball, a career-long outing for the right-hander. Closer Carson Ozmer extended his nation-leading save total to 17 after closing the game in the ninth.

The Crimson Tide bats began the game sluggish, unable to capitalize on five free passes and a pair of hits in the first three frames. However, much to the relief of Alabama, Tyler Fay came to play with a career day, allowing only two base runners in that span.

Missouri eventually broke through with a one-out solo shot courtesy of Mateo Serna in the top of the fourth to jump out to a 1-0 lead.

The Crimson Tide punched back in the home half of the frame, picking up two runs thanks to a pair of two-out RBI singles from Kade Snell and Justin Lebron to take a 2-1 advantage, a lead they would not relinquish.

Tyler Fay continued to deal in the fifth and sixth, punching out two Tigers' batters to keep Missouri off the scoreboard.

Alabama tacked on one run in the seventh courtesy of a Will Hodo sac fly and another in the eighth thanks to a Brady Neal solo shot.

Matthew Heiberger and Braylon Myers took a combined relief effort in the seventh and eighth, allowing zero runs collectively to bridge over to closer Carson Ozmer.

Ozmer ran into trouble in the ninth as Missouri loaded the bases with one out. However, a herculean dive by Will Hodo to prevent multiple runs from scoring, and a pop fly to Kade Snell to end the game gave the Crimson Tide the opening round victory.

Alabama returns to action tomorrow at 9:30 am CT against the 8-seed Tennessee.

For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.