Much-anticipated season debut for Alabama closer Alton Davis II ends in three strikeouts.
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — On opening weekend, there was a sweep at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Playing in the regular season for the first time under new head coach Rob Vaughn, the No. 19 Alabama baseball team defeated Manhattan College in a three-game set by an overall score of 30-8. But statistics seldom reveal everything, and in Sunday’s close game, a fan favorite—closing pitcher Alton Davis II—was called upon to perform.
The southpaw was one of the standout players of the 2023 season and was selected to the Freshman All-SEC Team and the NCBWA’s Second Team Freshman All-American roster. In 33.2 innings, he struck out 32 batters and saved eight games. He warmed up in the bullpen during the 4-0 victory on Friday.
In 33.2 innings, he struck out 32 batters and saved eight games. Braylon Myers was the one who got the last out on Opening Day, but he warmed up in the bullpen during Friday’s game, a 4-0 victory.
The game on Saturday was won by run-rule and was not competitive at all, but on Sunday, Vaughn made his first call of the spring, bringing in Davis II as his closer. loud applause greeted him as he entered. The sophomore has been prepared for possible starts during the offseason, but familiar ground was the rule when it came to his opening game of the new campaign.
“Whenever they need me, I’m just gonna be the best I can, prepare every single day,” Davis stated. “These guys really are something.” We have chemistry like I’ve never seen before. I just wanted to let everyone know that this season is going to be fun. It will be enjoyable.
The Jaspers repeatedly overcame significant deficits. Alabama led 4-0 before trailing 4-3. 9-3 was followed by 9-7. The Crimson Tide led 11–8 after third baseman Gage Miller hit his fifth home run of the game in the eighth inning. In the first half of that inning, Davis took over a 10-8 game but was hit in the leg by a sharp comebacker on the first batter he faced. If not for a two-run error in the first inning at
If Manhattan hadn’t made a two-run error at short in the first inning, Alabama’s southpaw stopper would have entered a tie game. All other factors being equal.
With a single following that comebacker, the tying run was brought to the dish. To end the inning, Davis forced a fielder’s choice, a foul popout, and finally a swinging strikeout on pinch hitter Vincent Davis. It turned out that he didn’t need Miller’s long ball, but maybe it gave him confidence because he struck out two in the ninth and recorded his first save of the year. What about the leg?
“I watched that dude run out there and high-five all the [Right Field] Ragers, and all of a sudden, it starts limping,” Vaughn joked. Davis recorded one hit, one base on balls, and three strikeouts in his final two innings. His mostly lockdown season debut, which concluded the first sweep of the Vaughn era, was equally historic. In whatever role he plays, he is expected to play a significant role in the plans and strategies the team has for the 2024 campaign.
