With the bases loaded and the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, Evan Russell drew a walk to give Tennessee a 5-4 win over Alabama on Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Russell got down 0-2 before drawing four straight balls — the third of which probably should have been called strike three and sent the Alabama dugout into a frenzy — to bring home Benito Santiago and give the Volunteers the series-opening win.
Tennessee used 12 hits to bring across its five runs and held the Crimson Tide largely in check, save their three-run fifth inning.