Photo courtesy of hooveral.org.
0213 Hoover Met Aerial
The Hoover Met will undergo renovations later this year.
Alabama built an early lead but Texas A&M came back to top the Crimson Tide 4-3 in the second round of the SEC Baseball Tournament at the Hoover Met on Wednesday.
Alabama's offense came alive early but the Aggies' comeback was sparked by a three-run third inning. The Crimson Tide almost tallied the tying run in the ninth but Logan Taylor threw out pinch-runner Daniel Cucjen at the plate trying to score on a hit by Will Haynie.
Alabama's Cody Henry doubled in the top of the second to bring in the Crimson Tide's first run. Alabama added a second run in the inning on an RBI single from J.C. Wilhite. The Crimson Tide increased their lead to 3-0 when Kyle Overstreet singled to score Casey Hughston in the top of the third.
Texas A&M tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Ryne Birk hit a double to bring Blake Allemand across for the Aggies' first run. Mitchell Nau then hit an RBI single. Taylor's double to deep right center brought the tying run home. Nick Banks' drive looked like it would give the Aggies the lead, but Hughston made a diving catch in right field to end the inning.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Hughston drove a pitch to deep center but Texas A&M center fielder Nick Choruby ran into the wall to grab the third out.
In the bottom of the eighth, Banks singled home the go-ahead run for the Aggies.
Texas A&M starter Grayson Long struck out 10 in six innings. Ryan Hendrix (5-2) retired all six batters he faced to earn the win before Andrew Vinson closed the ninth to pick up his fourth save of the season.
Tide starter Jake Walters went 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, but the former Thompson High star did not factor in the decision. Ray Castillo (3-1), who pitched two innings of relief, took the loss.
Texas A&M improved to 44-10 and Alabama fell to 31-27 on the season.
Alabama plays the loser of the Vanderbilt vs. Missouri matchup Thursday in an elimination game at 9:30 a.m. Texas A&M faces the winner of Vanderbilt-Missouri at 4:30 p.m.
All games are televised on the SEC Network until the championship game, which will air on ESPN2.
