Box Score TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Host Alabama stretched a lead with runs in each of the last four innings and the Crimson Tide (10-5) posted a 9-3 win over Binghamton (3-7) in the series opener Friday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. 

After 13 hours of travel on Thursday and a moved-up start time, BU gave up three runs in the first inning and couldn't keep pace with its SEC hosts. Alabama, which made its 25th NCAA Regionals appearance last spring, scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings and then added two runs in each of the seventh and eighth innings to pull away. The Bearcats finished strong with four combined hits and single runs in the eighth and ninth frames. 

Junior starter Thomas Babalis settled in after the first and retired 12 in a row and 14 of 15 in the middle innings. He went 6.1 innings and struck out three. 

Junior second baseman Cavan Tully provided an offensive spark with a 2-for-4 day that included his second home run of the spring. With two out in the bottom of the second, Tully took an 0-2 pitch over the right field wall to put the Bearcats on the board, down 3-1.

Down 7-1 in the eighth, the Bearcats put their first three hitters on. Tully led off with a single and junior right fielder Nick Di Vietro followed with a walk. After both runners advanced on a wild pitch, senior shortstop Jake Evans delivered an RBI single to right. But with two on and no out, BU couldn't cash in further. In the ninth, junior catcher Connor Aoki (2-for-4) led off with a double, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Owen Parliament to close out the scoring.

The teams continue the three-game series at 2 p.m. Saturday.