Tigers Edge Crimson Tide 4-3 in Tight Battle, Clinch Season Series in Baton Rouge

Alabama baseball’s trip to Baton Rouge was marked by high stakes, intense atmospheres, and razor-thin margins. Game two of the weekend series between the Crimson Tide and LSU lived up to every bit of that billing. In a dramatic showdown at Alex Box Stadium, Alabama fell just short in a 4-3 loss that gave LSU the series win, dropping the Tide’s SEC record further into a tight mid-season battle for positioning.

This contest was as much about the little things as it was about the big moments. A missed opportunity here, a clutch strikeout there — it all added up to a game where Alabama left nine runners on base and saw multiple late-inning chances go begging. The defeat didn’t just sting in the standings. It hurt because it was one Alabama could have won.

The Tide got solid starting pitching, fought back from an early deficit, and had the go-ahead run on base multiple times late. But they couldn’t deliver the hit when it counted most, and LSU’s bullpen did just enough to slam the door when it mattered.

LSU wasted no time jumping ahead early. In the bottom of the second inning, the Tigers strung together three singles to score the game’s first run. Alabama starter Ben Hess was mostly solid, but LSU’s aggressive approach at the plate gave them a brief advantage that would prove crucial in a one-run game. Hess managed to avoid the big inning, but the Tigers chipped away just enough to make it count.

Alabama responded quickly, however, tying the game in the top of the third. A leadoff double by Colby Shelton set the stage, and after a productive groundout, he scored on a sacrifice fly by Gage Miller. The Tide continued to pressure LSU starter Luke Holman, a familiar face who transferred to the Tigers after spending the 2023 season in Tuscaloosa. Holman was composed, scattering six hits over five innings, but his former teammates made him work.

The turning point of the game came in the fifth and sixth innings. LSU regained the lead with a solo homer by Tommy White, a blast that electrified the home crowd and flipped momentum. It was White’s 12th of the season and a reminder of his ability to change the game with one swing. A few batters later, the Tigers extended the lead with an RBI double, pushing the score to 3-1.

Alabama’s bullpen was called upon earlier than planned, and while they managed to limit further damage, LSU added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly following a leadoff walk and a well-placed bunt. That fourth run, at the time, seemed like just a footnote. It turned out to be the difference.

The Tide showed fight down the stretch. They plated two runs in the top of the eighth, fueled by a pair of singles and a defensive miscue from LSU that allowed one run to score. A groundout brought home another, cutting the deficit to 4-3. With the tying run on second and the go-ahead on first, Alabama’s best chance to flip the game slipped away with a strikeout to end the frame.

In the ninth, the Tide had one last push. A leadoff single ignited the Alabama dugout, but a sharp ground ball turned into a double play, quieting the momentum. A flyout to center ended it, sealing the win for LSU and clinching the season series.

This loss was particularly frustrating for Alabama because it marked the third straight series defeat in conference play. It wasn’t for a lack of effort or competitiveness — all three of those second games were within reach — but the inability to deliver in late-game situations has become a concern.

Postgame, Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn was composed but clearly frustrated. He praised the team’s resilience and energy but acknowledged that close losses are starting to mount. “We’re playing good baseball, but we’re not doing the little things late to win SEC games,” Vaughn said. “That’s what it comes down to. We’ve got to execute better in the big moments.”

One area of concern remains the situational hitting. Alabama went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position, a stat that speaks volumes in a one-run loss. The team is built to hit for power and string together offense, but in tight ballgames against high-level SEC pitching, it’s about the single through the hole, the opposite-field sacrifice fly, the two-strike ground ball that scores a run. Alabama left too many of those plays on the field Saturday night.

On the other side, LSU’s bullpen continued to shine. The Tigers leaned on freshman left-hander Griffin Herring in the final three innings, and he delivered in a big way. With Alabama threatening multiple times, Herring mixed speeds, hit his spots, and never let the Tide get the tying run across. His presence on the mound brought calm to a raucous late-game atmosphere.

White’s home run was the game’s biggest highlight, but the Tigers also got key performances from second baseman Steven Milam, who reached base three times, and catcher Hayden Travinski, who managed the pitching staff with poise. LSU didn’t overwhelm Alabama, but they played clean, efficient baseball and took advantage of nearly every opportunity that came their way.

The loss drops Alabama to 23-14 on the season and 6-11 in SEC play, while LSU improves to 25-12 and 8-9 in the league. With the postseason picture still forming, every game matters, and each series now becomes crucial for positioning in the conference standings and beyond.

For Alabama, the focus turns to salvaging game three on Sunday and avoiding a sweep. The Tide have shown they can win on the road — their Friday night win against LSU was a testament to that — but they need to string together full performances. The pitching has mostly held up, but run support and timely execution are lagging behind.

Vaughn said the message to the team heading into the series finale is simple: “We’ve got to play Alabama baseball. We’re close. It’s there. But being close doesn’t win games in this league. We’ve got to finish.”

There’s still time for Alabama to course-correct. The schedule ahead offers opportunities to climb back up the standings, but only if the Tide can start closing the door in these tight games. Saturday’s loss was another reminder of just how fine the margins are in the SEC — and how small mistakes can mean the difference between celebration and heartbreak.

LSU, meanwhile, will look to ride this momentum forward. After a rocky start to conference play, the Tigers have found a groove, winning five of their last six SEC games. Head coach Jay Johnson credited his team’s maturity and focus after the win, noting that “we’ve been in a lot of battles. We’re learning how to win the close ones now.”

That’s something Alabama is still searching for. Until they find it, every one-run game will feel like a coin flip — and for now, the flips aren’t going their way.