TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Interstat) — The Alabama Crimson Tide erupted for eight runs in the first three innings and cruised to a 16-2 victory over the Samford Bulldogs in a seven-inning, non-conference baseball game shortened by the Southeastern Conference run rule Tuesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

The offensive onslaught, which featured 13 hits and capitalized on Samford miscues, improved Alabama’s record to 26-8, while Samford fell to 14-17.

The most important part of the game came in the bottom of the first inning, as Alabama immediately answered Samford’s early two-run advantage. After the Bulldogs scratched across two runs in the top of the second on an RBI double by Jackson Harris and a run-scoring single, the Crimson Tide had already established a commanding lead.

Alabama sent 10 men to the plate in the bottom of the first, scoring four runs on four hits and a walk against two Samford pitchers. Jason Torres tied the game with a two-run single up the middle, and Eric Hines followed with an RBI single to give Alabama a lead it would not relinquish. Chase Kroberger’s fielder’s choice brought home the fourth run, setting the tone for the evening.

The Crimson Tide broke the game open in the third. After Torres and Hines singled, Luke Vaughn launched a three-run homer to left-center field. Two pitches later, Kroberger followed with a solo shot to left, extending the lead to 8-2.

Alabama added four more in the fifth, aided by a Samford error that allowed two unearned runs to score. The Crimson Tide then put the game out of reach with a four-run sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Hines to right-center and a two-run double by pinch-hitter Peyton Steele.

Hines, the designated hitter, was the top star for Alabama, finishing a perfect 3 for 3 with a home run, three RBIs, three runs scored and a hit-by-pitch. Torres went 3 for 4 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs. Vaughn’s three-run homer accounted for his only hit, and Kroberger reached base three times, homered, drove in two and scored twice.

On the mound, Alabama starter JT Blackwood earned the win, allowing two runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings. Connor Lehman and Gabe Pesci combined for 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief to close it out.

For Samford, Harris went 2 for 2 with an RBI double before being lifted for a pinch-hitter. The Bulldogs used seven pitchers, with starter Andre taking the loss after recording just one out. Relievers Zak Spurrier and Drew Druckenmiller each recorded scoreless outings.

The victory extended Alabama’s winning streak to four games following a series win at Oklahoma last weekend. Samford has now lost three of its last four.

The result far exceeded the projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 7-5 Alabama win. The Crimson Tide’s ELO probability to win was 74.9%.

Alabama opens a pivotal SEC series at home against Arkansas on Friday. Samford returns home to begin a Southern Conference series against Virginia Military Institute on Friday.