Alabama INF Chandler Avant

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama’s baseball team won its 11th game of the season Wednesday evening, but it was arguably the most impressive win of the young Brad Bohannon era, as the Crimson Tide defeated No. 15 Southern Miss, 3-0, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

Alabama used five pitchers in a 2-hit shutout of a ranked team. Bohannon’s bunch improved to 11-2 on the season, including a 9-0 record at home, the longest home winning streak since the 2010 campaign.

A 2-run fourth inning gave the Tide some early breathing room, and a 1-run seventh provided UA with insurance.

“It was a good win for us,” Bohannon said after the game. “I told the kids yesterday, ‘If we want to be a good team the two things we have to do is consistently play pretty good baseball and we’ve got to beat some good teams. And if we beat multiple good teams over time, then heck, man, you’re pretty. That’s a very good club (in Southern Miss).”

With two hits, second baseman Chandler Avant paced Alabama offensively and provided one of three RBIs. Jett Manning and Walker McCleney brought home the Tide’s other pair of runs.

Garret Rukes got the start on the mound for Alabama and pitched three innings of 1-hit baseball against the 15th-ranked Golden Eagles. Brock Love, Mason Duke, Deacon Medders and Dylan Duarte combined to round out the 5-pitcher shutout for Alabama.

Love earned his first win of the season, while Duarte picked up the save for the Tide.

Alabama was able to defeat five ranked teams in 2017, including a series sweep of Auburn, so defeating USM was a good first step for the Tide. But having won all four of its midweek games and surrendering only four runs this year, the players expect nothing less.

“I think we know that we can play at a high level, we can play with anyone,” Love said. “So, I don’t we treated it any different, honestly. We just kind of approach every day day to day, try to get better each and every day. It’s always good to play ranked teams, but if we perform at a high level, I feel like we can play with anyone.”

Alabama will next host New Mexico State for a 3-game series March 9-11 in Tuscaloosa.

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).