TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 24 Boston College baseball saw its 2023 season come to an end to No. 23 and top-seeded Alabama in an 8-0 shutout to conclude the Tuscaloosa Regional in a game that began late Sunday night and concluded after midnight local time. The BC Eagles finished the year 37-20; matching the best record in program history set in 2005.
BC’s run to the postseason marked the 12th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and first since 2016. The Eagles came out of the loser’s bracket with back-to-back wins in elimination games, including a 4-1 win over Troy earlier on Sunday.
The Crimson Tide (43-19) jumped out to a four-run lead in the first with five free passes, all with two outs, and a two-run single by catcher Mac Guscette with all four runs against graduate right-hander Andrew Roman (Monson, Mass.). Roman, the Eagles’ closer throughout the season, was pressed into making his first start since his freshman season as a pitcher at Salve Regina in 2018.
The Eagles best threat to score came in the bottom of the first. A walk, hit and error loaded the bases with one out, but a bang-bang play at first ended the opportunity, capping off the second out of a 5-3 double play that was challenged and upheld.
Junior first baseman Joe Vetrano (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) went 1-for-4 on the night. He concluded the tournament 7-for-16 at the plate with four home runs and nine RBI to earn MVP honors. Senior center fielder Barry Walsh (Sterling, Mass.) and sophomore shortstop Sam McNulty (Cambridge, Mass.) also earned All-Regional recognition.
DETAILS
Score: No. 23 Alabama 8, No. 24 Boston College 0
Records: Alabama 43-19, Boston College 37-20
Stadium: Sewell-Thomas Stadium
Attendance: 5,800
GAME NOTES
- BC is 25-25 all-time in 12 NCAA Tournament appearances.
- BC matched its program record for wins at 37; previously set in 2005 at 37-20.
- BC is 11-16 when the opponent scores first and 12-13 when the opponent scores in the first inning.
- Roche posted his 15th multi-hit game of the season and 20th of his career.
- Roman made his first start on the mound since April 22, 2018 as a freshman pitcher at Division III Salve Regina against Southern Maine.
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