Jake Smith, Taylor Dugas and Ross Wilson all hit solo home runs as the Crimson Tide beat host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in comeback fashion, 10-2.
Alabama starter Miers Quigley didn't make it out of the third inning, but three relievers — Austin Evans, Casey Kebodeaux and Austin Graham — combined for 6 2/3 shutout innings as the Crimson Tide overcame a 2-0 deficit. Evans pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the third inning and worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the win.
“They did a good job,” Alabama head coach Jim Wells said. “Evans came in and we were behind and pitched well. Kebodeaux had a good outing and we needed Graham to get some work tonight and did well. To me that was the story of the game.”
Smith's solo homer in the third made it 2-1, then Alabama tied the game on Vin DiFazio's two-out single in the fourth. Dugas and Wilson each homered in the fifth to give the Crimson Tide the lead for good.
Alabama broke the game open with a four-run sixth, including a two-run single by Wilson. The Crimson Tide got its final two runs in the eighth.
Matthes, who had homered in a school-record six straight games coming in, went 1-for-5 with a run scored. He is hitting .429 with seven homers and 17 RBI this season.
Alabama continues tournament action against Texas-Pan American at 6 p.m. today.
