Alabama 3 Savannah State 2
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Alabama baseball team held on for a 3-2 win over the Savannah State Tigers in an elimination game in the NCAA Tallahassee Regional on Saturday afternoon from Dick Howser Stadium. Alabama will play on Sunday against the loser of the winner’s bracket game between Florida State and Troy.
“This time of the year you’ll take an ugly win, and that’s certainly what it was today,” Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard said. “Credit Mike Oczypok, who was tremendous today. He developed a blister in the third inning and he really batted through it to give us seven. A lot of credit goes to Mike.”
Alabama (35-27) starting pitcher Mike Oczypok (5-2) gave the Tide another outstanding performance, going 7.0 scoreless innings against the Tigers. The walk-on freshman allowed six hits, walked one and struck out four en route to his fifth win of the season. Closer Ray Castillo threw a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his 12th save of the season, to set a school record for saves by a freshman.
Alabama Recap
Savannah State Recap
Florida State 11 Troy 0
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State’s faithful fans boast a handful of spirited in-game chants that help make Dick Howser Stadium one of the most daunting venues in the nation for visiting baseball clubs. And during Saturday’s Tallahassee Regional winner’s-bracket game between FSU and Troy, none was more boisterous and persistent than the crowd’s chant of choice.
“LUUUUUUUUUUUKE!”
In an 11-0 Seminoles (46-15) victory, sophomore pitcher Luke Weaver gave ‘Noles fans plenty to cheer about as he baffled Trojans (41-19) hitters for eight compete innings. Weaver finished the night with a career-high 14 strikeouts — the most by an FSU pitcher since Tyler Chambliss tossed 15 against Maryland in 2006 — on a career-high 115 pitches with just four hits and no walks allowed.
