[Tuck4Bama]

Bama's baseball team falls out of top 25 with a record of 17W-10L. I think they need some pointers from the softball team.

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by Tuck4Bama

Bama's baseball team falls out of top 25 with a record of 17W-10L. I think they need some pointers from the softball team.

Thanks for the Golden Flake update now back to Crimson Tide Football....

[Tuck4Bama]

Ole Miss Beats Alabama in Slugfest, 15-9 Release: 03/25/2007

OXFORD, Miss. -- The series finale between No. 25 Alabama and No. 13 Ole Miss was the complete opposite of Saturday’s extra inning pitcher’s duel that saw both starters combine for more than 18 innings on the mound.
On Sunday, neither starter made it past the third inning as the Rebels took the series with a 15-9 win in what turned out to be a typical Southeastern Conference series finale slugfest.
Alabama starter, sophomore right-hander Casey Kebodeaux allowed five first inning runs and was replaced by junior left-hander Will Stroup after allowing a lead off single to Brett Basham in the second inning.
Ole Miss starter, sophomore left-hander Brett Bukvich could not pitch with an eight-run lead as he allowed three runs in the third inning and left after he recorded only eight outs in the game.
The two teams combined for 24 runs and 36 hits in the series finale and scored at least one run in every inning except the fifth. Ole Miss went in order in the eighth for the only three-up and three-down inning of the game.
Junior shortstop Zack Cozart led the Ole Miss offense by going 5-for-5 with a home run and three four RBI. In addition to Cozart, Logan Power had three hits and three RBI for the Rebels, while Andrew Clark added three hits and one RBI.
Sophomore designated hitter Alex Avila paced the Crimson Tide by going 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. Sophomore left fielder Kent Matthes, junior first baseman Matt Bentley and junior right fielder Elvin Vargas added two hits each for Alabama.
Ole Miss (18-8, 3-3 SEC) scored five runs in the first inning and built an 8-0 lead through two innings, before Alabama closed the gap to 10-8 in the seventh inning. The Rebels spoiled any idea of Crimson Tide comeback with five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
“Two things about today’s game,” Alabama head coach Jim Wells said. “The guys fought back and played hard. We’ve done that all year. We have to find a Sunday starter on the mound that can get the job done. This has happened two weeks in-a-row.”
The Rebels jumped on Kebodeuax for five runs and five hits in the bottom of the first inning. Jordan Henry reached on a leadoff single and later scored on a passed ball by by catcher Ryan Rhoden. C.J. Ketchum and Fuller Smith had RBI singles and Logan Power added a two-run double as the Rebels scored four of the five runs with two outs.
For the second straight Sunday, Kebodeaux did not make it out of the second inning as he was replaced by junior left-hander Will Stroup after he allowed a leadoff single to Brett Basham to open the second.
Kebodeaux (2-2) took the loss as he gave up six runs on six hits in one-plus inning with one walk and one strikeout.
Nathan Cryer (1-0) the second of five Ole Miss pitchers was credited with the win, despite allowing three runs and three hits in 2 1/3 innings.
The Rebels scored three runs in the second inning when Justin Henry stole third and scored on a throwing error by Rhoden, followed by back-to-back RBI singles by Zack Cozart and Andrew Clark to make it 8-0.
The Crimson Tide chased Bukvich with three runs on three hits in the third inning to close the gap to 8-3. Avila started the rally with a one-out, solo home run to right field. It was his fifth home run of the season and second in the series.
Junior right fielder Elvin Vargas and freshman pinch-hitter Brandon May collected back-to-back RBI singles with two outs to cut the Ole Miss lead to 8-3.
Bukvich, who took an eight-run lead into the inning, could not stand prosperity. He allowed three runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings with one walk and one strikeout and left with a no decision.
Logan Power’s solo home run to lead off the bottom of the third inning pushed the Rebels lead to 9-3.
Alabama (17-10, 3-3 SEC) cut the lead to 9-4 in the top of the fourth when Salem singled up the middle and scored on Avila’s base hit.
Bama loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth inning with three straight walks to senior shortstop Greg Paiml, Salem and sophomore second baseman Jeff Texada. Paiml scored from when Avila hit into a double play and Salem scored on Matthes’ two-out base hit to cut the lead to 9-6.
Ole Miss stretched its lead to 10-6 in the bottom of the inning when Cozart doubled to left with two outs and took third on Matthes’ throwing error. Overbeck greeted reliever Tommy Hunter with an RBI single to extend the lead to four runs.
The Crimson Tide trimmed the lead to 10-8 with two more runs in the seventh inning. Bentley led off the inning with his fifth home run of the season to make it a 10-7 game. Vargas doubled off reliever Craig Rodriguez and later scored on Salem’s sacrifice fly as the Tide cut the deficit to 10-8.
The Rebels put the game away in a bizarre seventh inning that saw two ejections and five runs cross the plate.
Assistant coach Joe Raccuia and head coach Jim Wells were both ejected by home plate umpire Danny Everett for protesting balls and strikes. Raccuia was ejected in the top of the inning and Wells was ejected in the bottom of the inning.
Jordan and Justin Henry had RBI singles Hunter in the seventh inning and Cozart capped a big day with a three-run home run to make it 15-8.
Avila doubled in the eighth inning and scored on Smith’s sacrifice fly to make the final 15-9.
Alabama returns to action next weekend as the Crimson Tide hosts the LSU Tigers in a three-game series at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The teams will play Friday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 31 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 1
at 2 p.m. All three games will be televised by JUMBO and CSS Sports.
GAME NOTES:
*Junior right fielder Elvin Vargas (New York, N.Y.) made is first career SEC start Sunday at Ole Miss.
*Sophomore designated hitter Alex Avila (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) has homered in the last two games of the series against Ole Miss. He hit a solo home run in the seventh inning Saturday and added a solo home run in the third inning in Sunday’s series finale.
*The 16 runs scored by Ole Miss were the most allowed by Alabama since a 16-8 loss to Houston in the 2003 NCAA College Station Regional.
*The 20 hits collected by Ole Miss were the most allowed by Alabama since Texas A&M picked up 20 hits in a 16-5 win over Alabama in the 2003 NCAA College Station Regional.
*Senior center fielder Emeel Salem (Mountain Brook) went 1-for-4 with two runs scored to extend his on-base streak to 40 consecutive games, dating back to the 2005 season. He has reached base safely in all 27 games this year.

[Stoney]

Well that brings us to our Ziglar meats special when you tailgate it has to be Ziglars or it isn't the best. Full pad practice got underway today....

[Tuck4Bama]

GAMES 28-30: LSU TIGERS (15-11, 1-4-1 SEC) vs. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (17-10, 3-3 SEC)

SEWELL-THOMAS STADIUM -- TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA

ALABAMA HOSTS LSU IN SEC SERIES
Two teams that dominated the Southeastern Conference in the late 1990s square off this weekend in Tuscaloosa as the No. 25 University of Alabama baseball team hosts the LSU Tigers in a three-game SEC series at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The series begins Friday, March 30 at 6:36 p.m. (CDT). The teams will also play Saturday, March 31 (6:06 p.m.) and Sunday, April 1 (2:06 p.m.) All three games will be regionally televised by JUMBO Sports, the Alabama Cable Network and CSS Sports. Alabama (17-10, 3-3 SEC), the defending SEC Champion, trails Arkansas by one game in SEC Western Division after two weekends of league play. The Crimson Tide opened the season with a series win over Tennessee before dropping a series at No. 13 Ole Miss last weekend. LSU (15-11-1, 1-4-1 SEC) 1-2 SEC) has dropped both SEC series this season, losing at No. 3 South Carolina (March 16-1 and at home to Kentucky last weekend. Both Alabama and LSU have struggled after getting off to strong starts this season. Alabama opened the season with a 12-2 record, but has lost eight of its last 13 games. LSU began the year with a 7-2 ledger, but has gone 8-9-1 in its last 18 games. Alabama has four players on its roster from the state of Louisiana, including seniors Brandon Belcher (Ruston) and Bernard Robert (Denham Springs) and sophomores Casey Kebodeaux (Mandeville) and Jeff Texada (New Iberia). The Crimson Tide received some good news on the injury front this week when Belcher and sophomore right-hander Austin Hyatt (Marietta, Ga.) are expected to return to the mound. Belcher has missed six weeks with a muscle strain in his left forearm. He threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and has not pitched since. Hyatt has not pitched since a one-inning stint against No. 17 Nebraska March 10.

THE HEAD COACHES
Alabama head baseball coach Jim Wells (Northwestern State, 1980) is the winningest coach in school history. He has compiled a 540-256 (.67 record in 13 seasons at the Capstone. Overall, Wells has posted a 732-345 (.680) record in 18 seasons. He has led Alabama to two SEC Championships, three SEC Western Division titles, three CWS appearances and six SEC Tournament titles. Wells is 24-32 (.429) in his career against LSU, including a 22-26 (.45 mark at Alabama. LSU head coach Paul Mainieri (Florida International, 1980) is in his first season as head coach of the Tigers and 25th season as a collegiate head coach. Prior to coming to Baton Rouge, Mainieri was the head coach at Notre Dame, where he compiled a 533-212-3 (.714) record in 12 seasons and took the Fighting Irish to the College World Series in 2002. Mainieri has also served as head coach at Air Force (152-158, .490) and St. Thomas (179-121-1, .596). His overall collegiate record stands at 879-503-5 (.636) entering the Alabama series. He is 1-1 (.500) in his career against the Crimson Tide.

STARTING PITCHERS
Alabama sophomore left-hander Miers Quigley (Roswell, Ga.) will make his eighth start of the season in the series opener against LSU. Quigley is 4-0 with a 2.26 ERA this season for the Crimson Tide. Alabama is 6-1 (.857) in his previous seven starts with wins over No. 17 Nebraska and No. 13 Ole Miss. LSU will counter with junior left-hander Charlie Furbish (South Portland, Maine). Furbush is 3-3 with a 4.12 ERA in his seven previous starts. He leads the LSU staff with 39 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings this season.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
Odr No. Name Pos. Bats 2007 Stats
1 2 Emeel Salem CF L/L .393 (42x107), 4 HR, 20 RBI, 19 SB
2 14 Jake Smith 3B R/R .286 (24x84), 4 HR, 23 RBI, .500 Slg
3 16 Alex Avila DH L/R .324 (34x205), 5 HR, 26 RBI, 11 2B
4 22 Kent Matthes RF R/R .333 (37x111), 6 HR, 31 RBI, 23 R
5 25 Matt Bentley 1B L/L .318 (26x8, 5 HR, 19 RBI, .557 Slg
6 34 Ryan Rhoden C R/R .337 (31x92), 1 HR, 12 RBI, 14 R
7 10 Jeff Texada 2B R/R .275 (22x80), 1 HR, 9 RBI, 13 BB
-- or -- 6 Brandon May R/R .327 (17x52), 0 HR, 7 RBI, 3 2B
8 32 Brandon Belcher LF L/L .286 (12x42), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 BB
9 3 Greg Paiml SS R/R .295 (26x8, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 4 SACs


ALABAMA-LSU SERIES
*Alabama leads the all-time series with LSU, 187-141-3 (.569) in a series that dates back to the 1906 season.
*The series opener will mark the 332nd all-time meeting between these two longtime SEC Western Division rivals.
*The two teams have met every year since 1947.

[Tuck4Bama]

Baseball Falls to LSU 5-4 in Series Opener Release: 03/30/2007


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – LSU (16-11-1, 2-4-1 SEC) defeated Alabama (17-11, 3-4 SEC) 5-4 in front of 5,462 fans Friday night at Sewell- Thomas Stadium, on a two-out top of the ninth go ahead, three run homerun by LSU’s Michael Hollander.

The Tide struck first when Emeel Salem lead off the fourth inning with a towering shot over the right field wall, which was the first run and the first hit of the game for the Tide. Two hitters later Kent Matthes hit another solo shot off the centerfield batter’s eye to give the Tide a 2-0 lead.

Bama added an unearned run in the sixth inning on a groundball off the bat of Kent Matthes that LSU shortstop Michael Hollander could not handle scoring Bama freshman Jake Smith making the score 3-1.

Smith added his fifth home run of the season in the eight inning to give the Crimson Tide a 4-2 lead.

Neither Alabama starting pitcher Miers Quigley nor LSU starter Charlie Furbursh allowed a hit until the fourth inning and combined for 18 strikeouts.

Quigley pitched extremely well for the Tide, striking out eight while allowing two runs and walking five. Tommy Hunter (2-3) missed the opportunity for his third save of the year, surrendering the go ahead home run in the ninth.

Game two of the LSU weekend series will begin at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow.

-UA-

[Stoney]

Why is the baseball team so bad this year?

[Tuck4Bama]

Baseball Drops Series Finale with LSU 7-3 Release: 04/01/2007


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- LSU second baseman Chris McGhee and center fielder Jared Mitchell had two hits each to lead the Tigers to a 7-3 series-clinching win over the University of Alabama Sunday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The duo teamed up to break open a close game in the seventh inning and give LSU its seventh series win in the last nine meetings with the Crimson Tide.
McGhee (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3 SB) and Mitchell (2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 2 SB) combined for four hits, four runs scored, three RBI and five stolen bases in the win.
Clinging to a 4-3 lead, Mitchell laced an RBI double into the left field corner to score Steven Broschofsky giving LSU a 5-3 lead. Broschofsky led off the inning with a triple to right-center field. After Mitchell stole third base, McGhee beat out a squeeze bunt for an RBI single to score Mitchell from third and push the Tigers lead to 6-3.
The two-run inning came after Alabama loaded the bases in the sixth inning, but did not score. Alabama stranded nine runners in the loss to LSU, with seven of those coming in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
LSU junior right-hander Jared Bradford pitched the final three innings for his fourth save of the season and second of the series.
LSU (17-12-1, 3-5-1 SEC) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning off losing pitcher Brandon Belcher, who was making his first start on the mound since opening day.
Michael Hollander and Blake Dean collected back-to-back one-out singles, before Belcher walked Sean Ochinko to load the bases. After Jordan Mayer struck out, LSU right fielder Steven Waguespack laced a two-strike triple into right center field to clear the bases and give the Tigers an early three-run lead.
Alabama starter Brandon Belcher (1-1) worked two innings, allowing three runs and three hits in his second start of the season. Belcher had not pitched for Alabama since throwing 5 2/3 shutout innings opening day against Georgia State. He missed his last six starts with a strained muscle in his left forearm.
The Crimson Tide loaded the bases with one out in the fourth inning, but managed only one run. Senior shortstop Greg Paiml reached on a throwing error by third baseman Buzzy Haydel to lead off the inning.
After sophomore designated hitter Alex Avila popped out, sophomore left fielder Kent Matthes doubled over the head and off the glove of Jared Mitchell in center to put runners at second and third. Junior first baseman Matt Bentley was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Sophomore catcher Ryan Rhoden followed with a ground out to short to score Paiml from third, before Vargas popped up to end the inning.
Bama closed the gap to 4-3 with two runs in the fifth inning. Freshman third baseman Brandon May led off the inning with a triple off the wall in left center and scored on sophomore second baseman Jeff Texada’s base hit to center.


Senior center fielder Emeel Salem reached on a fielder’s choice that erased Texada at second base. Avila followed with single that was fielded in shallow right field by McGhee at second base. Salem scored on the RBI single and Avila took second on McGhee’s wild throw to home plate. Matthes was intentionally walked and Bentley flied out to center to end the inning.
The Crimson Tide missed out on its best chance to take the lead in the sixth inning as Paiml grounded out to third base, leaving the bases loaded.
LSU starter Ryan Byrd, making his first SEC start, held the Crimson Tide to three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings for his fourth win of the season. Paul Bertuccini wriggled out of trouble in the sixth inning to preserve LSU’s lead.
After the two-run seventh inning, LSU added a run in the ninth when McGhee walked, stole second and scored on Hollander’s base hit to give LSU a 7-3 lead.
Avila led Alabama with three hits, while Texada added two hits in the loss.
Alabama will face UAB at Regions Park (formerly Hoover Met) Wednesday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. The Crimson Tide is on the road in SEC play next weekend to take on Vanderbilt in a three-game series in Nashville.
GAME NOTES:
*Alabama has lost seven of its last nine regular season series to LSU, dating back to the 2000 season. LSU’s series win over Alabama was the Tigers first in Tuscaloosa since 2001.
*Senior Brandon Belcher (Ruston, La.) made his first appearance on the mound after missing the last six weeks with a strained muscle in his left forearm. Belcher last pitched for the Crimson Tide on opening day when he shutout Georgia State on one hit through 5 2/3 innings with no walks and six strikeouts. The LSU game marked Belcher’s first SEC start since March 21, 2005 at Auburn. He missed the entire 2006 season recovering from “Tommy John” surgery.

*Alabama allowed three runs in the top of the first inning and has been outscored 19-1 in the first two innings in its last three Sunday SEC games. Tennessee held a 6-1 lead after two innings March 18 and Ole Miss held an 8-0 lead after two innings March 25.
*Senior center fielder Emeel Salem (Mountain Brook) was intentionally walked in the sixth inning to extend his on base streak to 43 consecutive games, dating back to the 2006 season. He has reached base in all 30 games this year. Salem went 0-for-4 and saw his team-best 10-game hitting streak come to an end Sunday.
*Sophomore right-hander Austin Hyatt (Marietta, Ga.) made his first appearance on the mound since March 10 as he worked 2 2/3 innings against LSU. Hyatt allowed one run, two hits and added two strikeouts.
*Alabama has lost its last four Sunday games.

[Tuck4Bama]

Originally Posted by Stoney

Why is the baseball team so bad this year?

Seems to me it is bad recruiting and questionable coaching.

Just my opinion

[Stoney]

Well should we start a thread to guess about who will be the next baseball coach?

[Tuck4Bama]

No. 1 Vanderbilt Edges Alabama, 3-0

As of April 6

overall 19-13
Home 17-8
Away 2-5
SEC 4-6

[Stoney]

How much longer till baseball is mercifully over?

[Tuck4Bama]

Last regular season game is Sat. May 19.

[Stoney]

Fantastic!

[Tuck4Bama]

Meingasner Leads Vandy Past Bama, 4-2 Release: 04/07/2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Matt Meingasner had three hits and two RBI to lead No. 1 Vanderbilt past the University of Alabama, 4-2, on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Field in Nashville.

The Vandy left fielder’s big offensive day at the plate was more than enough offense for the Commodores pitching staff, which held Alabama two runs and three hits as the Crimson Tide lost its third straight Southeastern Conference game and third straight SEC series.

Alabama has managed only two runs and six hits in the series this weekend in Nashville, but has had chances to win both games.

“We are swinging the bats very well right now,” a frustrated Jim Wells said following the loss. “We have not put good swings on good pitches in a long, long time. It’s very frustrating.”

Vanderbilt starter, freshman left-hander Mike Minor (5-0) held the Crimson Tide to two unearned runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings for his fifth win of the season. The Vandy bullpen, consisting of Cody Crowell and Casey Weathers, pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings to seal the win.

Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez and and designated hitter Dominic de la Osa swatted back-to-back, two-out home runs to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. It was Alvarez’s 11th home run of the season, while de la Osa hit his seventh of the year.

The Commodores made it 3-0 in the fourth inning when catcher Shea Robin drew a leadoff walk and scored on Meingasner’s two-out double.

Alabama snapped its 15-inning scoreless streak with two runs on two hits and two Vandy errors in the sixth inning to narrow the margin to 3-2 in the top of the sixth inning.

Senior left fielder Brandon Belcher reached on an error by Vandy first baseman Brad French to open the inning and moved to second on Salem’s one-out single through the left side of the infield. After a double steal of second and third, Belcher then trotted home on catcher Shea Robin’s throwing error.

Matthes followed with a base to put runners on the corners and Smith was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out.

Vandy starter Mike Minor left the game after the Tide loaded the bases and was replaced by Crowell. Rhoden followed with an RBI ground out and Bentley ended the inning with a ground out as Crowell preserved the lead.

“We had the bases loaded and 2-0 count and we hit a ground ball to third base,” Wells said. “Again, we had a shot, we just did not come through. We were able to stay in the game. It was a winnable game. Vanderbilt’s pitching is outstanding. It is very hard to win a college baseball game without scoring runs.”

A two-out walk cost the Crimson Tide a run in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Commodores stretched its lead to 4-2 to chase starter Bernard Robert.

Ryan Flaherty reached on leadoff single and moved into scoring position when Ryan Davis drew a two-out walk. Meingasner followed with an RBI single to left to extend the lead and chase Robert.

Robert allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

Josh Copeland replaced Robert and stranded two base runners when first baseman Matt Bentley made a nice play on Brad French sharp grounded down the line to end the inning.

Crowell worked two scoreless innings and Weathers added 1 2/3 scoreless innings for his third save as the Commodores clinched the series win.

The two teams will wrap up this three-game series Sunday, April 8 with 1 p.m. (CDT) game at Hawkins Field. Alabama will send sophomore right-hander Austin Hyatt (2-1, 1.96 ERA) for his second career start and first SEC. Vanderbilt will counter with sophomore Nick Christiani (5-2, 3.92 ERA).

GAME NOTES:
*Alabama has managed just four runs and 11 hits in its last three games.

*During its last four games, Alabama is 1-for-29 with runners in scoring position and 0-for-7 with the bases loaded. Alabama has not had an RBI hit since the fifth inning against LSU April 1, a span of 31 2/3 innings.

*The Crimson Tide juggled it batting order significantly for Saturday’s game at Vanderbilt. Only four players -- sophomore RF Kent Matthes (4th), sophomore C Ryan Rhoden (6th), junior 1B Matt Bentley (7th) and senior SS Greg Paiml (9th) -- hit in their usual spots in the order against Mike Minor.

*Senior center fielder Emeel Salem (Mountain Brook) dropped to third in the batting order for today’s game with Vanderbilt, marking the first time in his career he has hit third in the batting order. Salem has been the Tide’s leadoff hitter 140 times in his 170-game career.

*Senior left fielder Brandon Belcher (Ruston, La.) moved from eighth to to the leadoff spot on Saturday, marking just the fifth time in his career he has hit first in the batting order. Belcher went 0-for-5 in the loss and saw his 10-game hitting streak come to an end.

*Sophomore DH Alex Avila (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) batted eighth in the order for the first time in his career.

*Vandy’s Pedro Alvarez and Dominic de la Osa hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning, marking the first time since May 22, 2005 when Auburn’s Josh Bell and Karl Amonite hit back-to-back home runs against T.J. Large in the final game of the regular season.

*Senior right-hander Bernard Robert (Denham Springs, La.) added his sixth pickoff of the season when he erased Vandy center fielder David Macias at first base with one out in the third inning. Robert leads all SEC pitchers with those six pickoffs, including three in the last two games.

*Both bullpens combined for six scoreless innings Saturday afternoon. Alabama’s Josh Copeland (0.1 IP, 1 BB) and Will Stroup (2 IP, 4 H, 1 K) had 2 1/3 scoreless frames. Vanderbilt’s Cody Crowell (2.0 IP, BB, K) and Casey Weathers (1.2, 2 BB, 2 K) added 3 2/3 scoreless innings.

-- UA --