WEEKEND RECAP: Crimson Tide Take Home Frisco Classic

FRISCO, Texas — The Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3) went 2-1 in the Frisco Classic to win its second in-season tournament in just as many years.

The Crimson Tide took the first two games of the weekend with a 12-2 win over Iowa and an 8-7 win over No. 19 Oregon State to clinch the tournament championship before the final day of the weekend. Alabama dropped its final game of the weekend with a 2-8 loss to Houston to finish the weekend 2-1.

Justin Lebron was named the tournament MVP after posting a .462 average with two doubles, two home runs, and seven RBIs. Alabama first baseman Luke Vaughn was the lone member of the Crimson Tide to join Lebron, knocking a .250 average with one home run, four RBIs, one walk, and two hit-by-pitches in his three starts at first base

Game One: 12-2 win over Iowa

The Crimson Tide got off to a fast start on the weekend with a 12-2 win over Iowa.

Starter Tyler Fay posted a strong start, tossing six one-run innings in his most effective outing to date. Sam Mitchell and Ashton Crothwer threw the final three innings for the Tide, allowing a lone run to help close the door on the Hawkeyes.

Vaughn got the scoring started for the Crimson Tide, launching a three-run jack in the top of the first to put Alabama up 3-0. Two innings later, Bryce Fowler lifted a leadoff solo shot to give Alabama a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Hawkeyes cut into the lead with a two-out RBI single to trim the Alabama advantage to 4-1.

The Crimson Tide added a pair in the sixth and one in the eighth to push its lead to 7-1. Iowa pulled one back in the bottom of the eighth thanks to another RBI single.

Up 7-2, the Crimson Tide kept the foot on the gas and blew the game wide open. A two-out, bases-loaded Fowler walk plated Alabama's eighth run of the evening. Lebron followed by lasering a grand slam to left field to help seal the deal for Alabama.

Game Two: 8-7 win over No. 19 Oregon State

In maybe the most exciting game of the young season for Alabama, the Crimson Tide held off a late charge by Oregon State to help clinch the Frisco Classic title with an 8-7 Saturday night victory.

The Crimson Tide did most of its offensive work early, plating six in the first four innings, largely thanks to a trio of home runs — including former ACA Patriot Eric Hines' first of his collegiate career.

The Beavers made a charge in the middle innings, driving in five unanswered runs to cut the Alabama lead to 6-5. Alabama added insurance in the seventh and eighth by plating a trio of runs. 8-5, Alabama.

Oregon State threw everything it had at Alabama in the ninth, pulling within one with the bases loaded and one out.

With the tying run 90 feet away, the Beavers lined a flyball right into the glove of Peyton Steele, who gunned down the tying run at the plate to maintain the slim lead for Alabama. Hagan Banks forced a groundout fielder's choice in the ensuing at-bat to close out the game.

Game Three: 2-8 win over Houston

The weekend ended on a sour note for the Crimson Tide. The Cougars jumped on Alabama early and never looked back.

A Fowler RBI-double and a Lebron solo shot marked the only runs for the Crimson Tide on the day as the Cougars' lineup poured on eight runs to keep Alabama out of striking distance.

Alabama returns to Tuscaloosa on Tuesday to take on Jacksonville State.

For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.