Alabama went through a treacherous week with the ousting of its head baseball coach and a betting investigation that drew national scrutiny to Tuscaloosa, but the team took back the narrative on Saturday with a 2-1 series-clinching victory over No. 5 Vanderbilt at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

In the bottom of the eighth, Mac Guscette sent a 0-1 pitch over the left-field wall for what proved to be the game-winning solo home run. For most of the afternoon, it was a pitcher’s duel as both sides managed just 6 hits apiece.

Vanderbilt (34-13, 17-7 SEC) got on the board first with a 2-out RBI double in the top of the third. But Alabama answered one frame later thanks to a solo shot from Drew Williamson in the bottom of the fourth. Both teams would go scoreless until the eighth when Guscette’s solo homer clinched the game and series for the Tide.

Kade Woods (4-1) earned the win with 2 relief frames that included 3 strikeouts. Alton Davis II followed with a scoreless ninth to record his sixth save of the season. The relief duo entered after an impressive start by Jacob McNairy, who allowed just 1 run on 4 hits and a walk in 6 innings of work. McNairy fanned 7 batters, tying a career-best for strikeouts in a game.

Vanderbilt reliever Thomas Schultz (2-2) was saddled with the loss.

Alabama (32-16, 11-13 SEC) has now homered in 39 of its 48 games this season. It has also hit multiple home runs in 13 of its 24 SEC contests.

The Tide head to Montgomery next for a neutral site matchup with Troy on Tuesday, May 9.