Alabama SS Jett Manning

*** For all the latest Alabama team and recruiting news, sign up for BamaOnLine HERE. ***

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Brad Bohannon era of Alabama baseball started with a bang.

Behind an 8-run fourth inning, the Crimson Tide opened its 2018 season with a convincing 16-2 victory over visiting Valparaiso on a gloomy Friday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

The 16 runs were the most runs scored by an Alabama team on opening day since 1958. It was the second most runs scored by the Tide baseball program in a home opener (17, 1968).

“It’s awesome, it’s exciting,” Bohannon said after the game. “It was a fun day. I told the guys in the dugout I don’t think I could’ve scripted it out any better.”

In his first win as Alabama’s coach, each player in Bohannon’s first-ever lineup proved to be an effective one. Every player scored a run, while seven starters registered at least one RBI.

Third baseman Cobie Vance and newcomer Jett Manning each registered three hits, while Manning and first baseman Hunter Alexander recorded three RBIs apiece. Alabama batted around twice Friday during an 8-run fourth and 5-run sixth inning.

Facing Valpo’s Jon Tieman, Alabama ended his night after three and one-third innings. The right-handed pitcher gave up seven runs on nine hits while striking out three and walking three.

“In the beginning of the game, he started throwing a lot of fast balls and he started working in secondary pitches,” Manning said. “And I think a lot of us were just trying to see the ball down and then trying to find some barrels, and a lot of us started to do that toward the middle of the game.

“So, it worked out well for us.”

After giving up a home run in the top of the first, starting pitcher Sam Finnerty threw six innings of 1-run baseball, tossing 52 strikes on 78 total pitches. He walked one batter and struck out two before being replaced by Tyler Adams in the top of the seventh.

But the Game 1 winner was complimentary of the infield’s play.

“It was unbelievable out there,” Finnerty said. “I mean they were making plays left and right. It’s good to have them behind me. I just tried to find the strike zone, just tried to be me and not try to do too much. I just found the strike zone and gave my team a chance to win.”

The Crimson Tide and Crusaders will meet again Saturday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. CT. Senior RHP Jake Walters will take the mound for Alabama in its second of three games versus Valpo.

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