Jason Jackson discusses managing pitching staff during elimination game

Jason Jackson will pitch as many players as he can if it means Alabama has a shot at rallying against Wake Forest on Sunday.

Trailing 10-3 in the fifth innings, Jackson has already used three pitchers. Jacob McNairy earned the start but lasted 2.1 innings after giving up seven runs on six hits and a walk. He allowed four home runs as the Demon Deacons busted the game wide open.

“We wanted to get some length out of J-Mac. He wasn’t as crisp today, left some breaking balls up. He made some 0-2 mistakes and they made him pay for it,” Jackson said on the ESPN broadcast. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck kind of day, right? It’s win or go home.

“We have a lot of bullets down there and we’re going to use them and see if we can’t get back in this thing.”

Kade Woods relieved McNairy in the third inning, but he only lasted until the end of the inning. He allowed three earned runs on two hits — both of which went for home runs. Hunter Furtado calmed things down a bit once arriving in the game to begin the fourth. In his first two innings on the mound, Furtado struck out four batters and did not allow a run.

Now that Alabama has found some stability on the mound, it’s the Crimson Tide bats that will need to get going now.

“Just keep our same approach. Let’s try to have some good ABs, get some on base, and pull one out here,” Jackson said. “This score can change real quick.”

Find out whether Alabama can overcome a seven-run deficit, or if they succumb to the top-ranked Demon Deacons live on ESPN and ESPN+.

ESPN announces longtime producer passed away Saturday prior to start of Winston-Salem Super Regional

ESPN has announced the death of Kyle Brown, a producer with over a decade of experience with the company. He suffered a “medical emergency,” which was why the Wake Forestvs. Alabama Super Regional opener was delayed by over two hours.

“On Saturday morning, beloved ESPN director Kyle Brown suffered a medical emergency and tragically passed away at the NCAA Baseball Super Regional in Winston-Salem, N.C,” a statement by ESPN read. “A 16-year ESPN employee, Kyle was a deeply admired member of our production team — and highly accomplished, having captured two Sports Emmy Awards while working a multitude of sports from baseball and basketball to Monday Night Football and college football.

“A former Ohio State pitcher, Kyle cherished the opportunity to have a career in sports. His ESPN family wishes to extend our deepest condolences and full support to Kyle’s loved ones, including his wife, Megan, their four children, Makayla (14), Carson (11), Camden (9) and Madyn (6), and their beloved dog Rookie.”