Alabama baseball TJ McCants nearly had a game-winning hit on Saturday night when he laced a double into the outfield of Sewell-Thomas Stadium in the eighth inning. Instead, McCants had his bit of heroics in the 10th inning lead to an upset of No. 1 Arkansas.
McCants grounded a ball back to Jake Faherty, who bobbled it and then sailed it over the first baseman’s head, letting pinch-runner Mason Swinney score. The error emptied the Alabama dugout to celebrate a 4-3 victory.
The No. 25 Crimson Tide ended a five-game losing streak in walk-off fashion, beating the Razorbacks to set up a rubber game tomorrow afternoon.
UA improved to 23-12 overall and 5-9 in SEC play, winning its first conference game since a series win over South Carolina on March 29.
Alabama pitcher Alton Davis II, who allowed a run in the ninth but countered with a scoreless 10th, picked up the win with three strikeouts. Greg Farone started the night with five innings and two strikeouts, allowing one run. Tyler Fay continued with three innings, three strikeouts and one home run allowed.
Will Hodo and Gage Miller crushed long balls for Alabama. McCants drove Kade Snell home with two outs in the eighth inning for a late lead. Arkansas’ Peyton Holt countered with a homer in the ninth.
Knell’s third hit of the night, a double in the final inning which led to Swinney running for him, set up the closing moments.
The Tide ranks fourth in the SEC West. The conference tournament is on May 21 at the Hoover Met.
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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at NAlvarez@al.com.