TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama completed a comeback against Missouri, thanks to a two-run home run by designated hitter Coleman Mizell in the bottom of the eighth inning. This home run gave the Tide their first lead of the game, allowing the Crimson Tide to win game one with a score of 7-5 on Thursday.

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Missouri got after Alabama's starting pitcher Tyler Fay in the top of the first inning with the Tigers driving home three runners in the opening inning in Thursday's game thanks to an overthrow by Fay that went over Alabama's first baseman Will Hodo's head, allowing Missouri's first baseman Jackson Lovich to advance home to give the Tigers the first run of the ball game. Following this was a sacrifice fly from right fielder Cayden Nicoletto to drive home another run for the Tigers.

The Tigers were finished yet with Chris Patterson driving two more runners home after he knocked a single just over Hodo's head at first base out into shallow right field to make it a 5-0 ball game going into the bottom of the first inning, which saw Missouri not allow Alabama to record a hit with the Tigers' starting pitcher Brady Kehlenbrink retiring the side in just seven pitches. 

Alabama answered back in the bottom of the second inning when Hodo hit his tenth home run of the season, this one being a two-run home run that was knocked over right field to bring him and the Tide's catcher, Brady Neal, home. Kade Snell hit a single following Hodo's home run, but the Tide were unable to bring him home, with Alabama cutting into Missouri's five-run lead, cutting the deficit down to three runs going into the third inning. 

Rob Vaughn's squad missed a big opportunity at the bottom of the third inning when Alabama had bases loaded with only one out. Unfortunately for the Tide, they were unable to capitalize with Brady Neal and Jason Torres proceeding to strike out swinging to retire the inning with Alabama still trailing by three runs heading into the fourth inning. 

Fay found his footing following his rocky first inning, which saw the pitcher give up five runs, with the sophomore going on to not allow another run through the next five innings before Matthew Heiberger was called out of the bullpen to relieve Fay in the top of the sixth inning. 

Heiberger picked up where Fay left off, with the lefty recording a strikeout and forcing a groundout to third base to retire the top of the sixth inning, leaving Missouri with one runner stranded on first base. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Tide was able to tie the game up at five runs after Alabama's second baseman Garret Staton knocked a three-run homerun over right center field to give Staton his sixth home run of the season, and flipped this game on its head and turned it into a 5-5 ball game. 

Carson Ozmer checked into the top of the eighth inning from the bullpen to relieve Matthew Heiberger after the lefty pitcher allowed two baserunners to get on base. Ozmer went on to allow one more runner to get on base, resulting in the bases loaded, but the senior didn't buckle. The right-handed pitcher went out and struck out the last batter to force the Tigers to leave three baserunners stranded on base to retire the side. 

Alabama took the lead for the first time in Thursday's game in the bottom of the eighth inning when Alabama's designated hitter Coleman Mizell ripped a two-run home run over right center field to give the Tide a two-run lead going into the top of the ninth inning.

Ozmer went out and did what he does with the Tide's closing pitcher, striking out the last three batters in the top of the ninth inning to give Alabama their 32nd win of the season, and to improve Ozmer's record on the season to 4-0 after he was gifted with the win on Thursday.

Stat Leaders

• Hits- Garret Staton and Coleman Mizell (2)
• Runs- Brady Neal and Jason Torres (2)
• RBIs- Garret Staton (3)
• K's- Carson Ozmer (4)
• HRs- Garret Staton (three-run HR), Will Hodo (two-run HR), and Coleman Mizell (two-run HR)

Alabama improves to 33-10 on the season, and 10-9 in SEC play, with the Tide having a chance to clinch the series with a win in game two tomorrow, with the opening pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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