Bramlett Paces Ole Miss in Series Opening Shut-Out at Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WCBI/AL.com) — Pitching kept Alabama in it. Hitting never came and No. 8 Ole Miss pulled away in the ninth Friday night.

The 4-0 loss to open the weekend series wasted a solid start for ace Geoffrey Bramblett in front of a sell-out crowd of 5,950. Game 2 starts at 5 p.m. Saturday in Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

Alabama (20-14, 6-7 SEC) got just four hits while stranding eight runners. It was the Tide’s first shutout loss since March 22 at UAB.

Bramblett (3-2) allowed just two hits and one unearned run in his seven complete innings. He struck out eight throwing 103 total pitches.

The Tide’s best opportunity came in the sixth. After loading the bases, Chance Vincent and Georgie Salem struck out to end the inning. Both chased third strikes on pitches outside the strike zone.

(Photo Courtesy: Vasha Hunt, AL.com)

“We feel like we were in a pretty good spot in the lineup with some guys who delivered some big ones for us there,” Alabama coach Mitch Gaspard said. “… Just like I told the team, that’s the game — particularly on Friday nights. When you get those shots, those have to be our best at bats. That’s where I have to deliver.”

Alabama also stranded two runners in the following inning when Chance Vincent flied out to center.

Ole Miss (26-8, 7-6) scored one in the third and three in the ninth. The first run came on a run down when an errant throw to second went to right field to score Tate Blackman. The Rebels added two more in the ninth on balls that never left the infield before Errol Robinson’s single brought in Will Golsan for the final run.

The real issue is with the bats after a four-hit night.

“It’s frustrating,” Gaspard said. “With hitters in general, that’s been a little bit of a theme for us. We created some opportunities for ourselves. Typically when you’re playing really well and you’re piling up wins, you’re getting those hits. When you’re up and down, a little like we have been, you get to those spots and you don’t always deliver. But, you know, it can turn quickly. We need someone to pop in there and split a gap.”