TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Interstat) — A six-run first inning, powered by a two-run double from Bryce Fowler, propelled the Alabama Crimson Tide to a 9-3 victory over the North Florida Ospreys on Saturday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

An announced crowd of 3,573 watched the Crimson Tide (13-3) secure the series win after taking the opener Friday night. The Ospreys fell to .500 at 8-8.

The most important part of the game unfolded immediately, as Alabama sent 12 batters to the plate in a chaotic bottom of the first inning to erase an early deficit. North Florida had struck first in the top half when Brody Hosey’s RBI single scored Mac Farner, who had singled and stolen second.

Any momentum for the Ospreys evaporated in the home half. After a flyout, Alabama’s Justin Lebron doubled and scored on a two-base error following a stolen base. Walks to TJ Neal and Mason Vaughn loaded the bases for John Lemm, whose double down the left-field line drove in two to give Alabama a 3-1 lead. Two more walks forced in another run before Fowler, the game’s top star, cleared the bases with a two-run double down the same line, stretching the lead to 6-1 and chasing North Florida starter Cade Hendry.

Reliever Trevor Nikolis entered and finally ended the 45-minute inning, but the damage was decisive. Nikolis provided exceptional long relief for the Ospreys, tossing 4 1/3 hitless innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out three. His effort kept the game within reach, but the Alabama pitching staff consistently limited North Florida’s opportunities.

Crimson Tide starter Zane Adams earned the win, going five innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts. The Ospreys scratched across a run in the fourth on an RBI single from Drew Buchanan and another in the sixth when Buchanan was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, making it 7-3.

Alabama’s bullpen quartet of Sam Mitchell, Luke Smyers, Anthony Pesci and Austin Morris combined for four innings of one-run ball, surrendering only two hits. Pesci struck out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Fowler, who entered the game in a 3-for-11 slump over his previous four contests, broke out emphatically. The center fielder finished 3 for 5 and drove in four runs, adding a fourth-inning RBI single that scored Kade Holt, who had tripled, and a seventh-inning bunt single that plated Mason Torres. Lemm also had a multi-RBI day, going 2 for 5 with a double, a triple and two RBIs.

For North Florida, Buchanan went 2 for 3 with two RBIs. The Ospreys managed seven hits but went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.

Alabama added insurance runs in the seventh on a sacrifice bunt from Will Osterhouse and Fowler’s bunt single. North Florida reliever Jeremiah Stewart followed Nikolis with three hitless innings of his own, though two unearned runs scored on his watch.

The victory, which exceeded Interstat’s game simulator projection of a 7-6 Alabama win, sets up a series finale on Sunday. The Crimson Tide will look for the sweep while the Ospreys aim to salvage a game before returning to Florida.