Hours after head coach Brad Bohannan was fired in the midst of a gambling investigation, Alabama baseball went out and upset Vanderbilt, the No. 5-ranked team in the country, on Thursday.
Alabama almost run-ruled Vanderbilt in the 11-2 win at Sewell-Thomas stadium, thanks to two four-run innings.
The Crimson Tide (31-15, 10-12 SEC) got seven innings from pitcher Luke Holman, who allowed two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts. The Alabama offense exploded for 11 runs thanks to a grand slam by Andrew Pinckney, a three-run homer by Drew Williamson and a solo shot by Ed Johnson.
The Commodores (33-12, 16-6) struggled at the plate, going a combined 5-for-29.
Bohannan was fired due to his connection to suspicious activity that has led to a gambling scandal. The Tuscaloosa News confirmed later Thursday that Bohannan was directly tied to the bets placed in Ohio. The bets in question come from the Crimson Tide’s 8-6 loss to No. 1 LSU last Friday. Earlier this season Bohannan, among other Alabama staffers, was named in a lawsuit by a former player. The lawsuit alleges mistreatment of a player injury by the Crimson Tide staff.
Alabama and Vanderbilt will continue the series on Friday night at 7 p.m. on SEC Network.
HOT BOARD: Who will replace Brad Bohannon? Here’s some head coaching targets for Alabama baseball.
FANS REACT: ‘How the heck can somebody be so stupid?’: Alabama baseball fans react to coach firing
SEC STATEMENT: Greg Sankey comments on Alabama baseball firing coach: ‘Zero tolerance’
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama baseball upsets No. 5 Vanderbilt after coach fired amid gambling probe