The Crimson Tide and Tigers will meet for the eighth time in the annual non-conference game
March 28, 2016
TUSCALOOSA, AL - The Crimson Tide takes to the road for a four-game roadtrip, starting first with Tuesday's meeting with in-state rival Auburn for the annual MAX Capital City Classic. The two teams will meet for the eighth consecutive year in Montgomery for the non-conference matchup. First pitch of Tuesday's contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. Mike Morgan and Gabe Gross will have the call.
LEADING OFF
The Crimson Tide is currently ranked or receiving votes in all major polls. UA is seeded 21st in the latest Baseball America and 25 in the College Baseball News polls. The Tide is also receiving votes in the D1Baseball, NCBWA and USA Today Coaches polls. Auburn is not ranked in any of the five polls.
The Tigers meet the Tide in Montgomery holding an 11-13 overall record and a 1-5 mark in SEC play. A week ago, Auburn shut out Alabama State, 11-0, before being swept by No. 18 Arkansas this past weekend.
Alabama and Auburn will meet for the 283rd time and eighth time overall in Montgomery for the MAX Capital City Classic. The Crimson Tide holds the advantage, 155-127, in the all-time series, but the Tigers sport a 6-1 record in Montgomery.
The Crimson Tide will look to senior left-hander Jon Keller for the start on Tuesday evening. Keller has made two starts this season and owns a 2.70 ERA (3 ER/10.0 IP) with two walks and five strikeouts. He has not factored into the decision in either outing. Overall, Keller is 1-0 with a 1.62 ERA (3 ER/16.2 IP) in six total appearances.
The Tigers will call on sophomore lefty Andrew Mitchell for the midweek contest. Mitchell is 3-0 overall in seven appearances (four starts) this season and manages a 4.05 ERA (12 ER/26.2 IP). He has struck out 28 while walking 17.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP
UA - Jon Keller (Sr., LHP) vs. AU - Andrew Mitchell (So., LHP)
SCOUTING ALABAMA
Alabama travels to Montgomery after finishing last week at 2-2 overall. The Crimson Tide first fell to UAB, 8-0, on Tuesday night at Regions Field before taking two-of-three games from Tennessee in conference play. The win secured the Tide its second SEC series victory in as many weekends.
Friday's series opener with Tennessee went in favor of the Crimson Tide, 7-3, as UA bounced back from an early three-run deficit to claim the victory in game one. Starter Geoffrey Bramblett allowed three runs in the first inning, but settled down the next 5.1 innings for his team-leading third win of the year. After giving up three hits in the first, Bramblett allowed just five more the rest of the way, finishing his night with six punchouts and no walks. Alabama scored two in the third and put together a four-run fifth to secure the win. The inning was highlighted by a bases-clearing double by Chance Vincent to break the 3-3 tie and give UA a 6-3 lead.
Saturday featured another doubleheader, with Alabama claiming the 11-3 win in game one. The Tide collected 10 hits leading to the 11 runs to claim the series victory. The offense was highlighted by Cody Henry's 2-for-5 game which included a pair of doubles, a team-high four RBI and two runs scored. Also adding multiple RBI was Cobie Vance, who finished with three on his 1-for-4 day. A seven-run seventh highlighted the scoring.
Game two of Saturday's twinbill went in favor of the Volunteers, 6-3. The two teams were even at 3-3 heading into the ninth before a close play at the plate went to Tennessee for the 4-3 lead. One at-bat later, UT tripled to right to put the game out of reach.
Alabama's offense on Saturday was highlighted by Will Haynie, with the junior collecting three hits, a home run, three RBI, two runs scored and a walk. Hunter Webb finished the day at .500 (4-8) with a double, three runs scored and two walks. Connor Short also contributed to the Tide offense on Saturday, finishing with three hits, including a double, with two RBI, one run scored and a walk.
The Crimson Tide was blanked by UAB, 8-0, on Tuesday evening. The shutout loss was Alabama's first shutout of the season. The Blazers registered 12 hits, including four doubles, and forced the Tide to use a total of five pitchers by night's end. Sophomore Tyler McMurray and junior Colton Freeman each made their first appearances of the year.
Alabama returned home this season after spending 2015 on the road. The Tide played a total of 34 "home" games across the state of Alabama on top of the 22 road contests slotted into the schedule. Thirty of the team's home games were played at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover. The Crimson Tide also played a weekend series at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile and a single game inside Joe W. Davis Municipal Stadium in Huntsville.
In addition to the "home" contests, UA also traveled to Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery for the annual MAX Capital City Classic against Auburn, and then to Regions Field in Birmingham for an away game with UAB.
Alabama's roster features 21 letterwinners from the 2015 squad that reached the quarterfinals of the 2015 SEC Tournament. The 2016 Tide returns five positional starters, and five pitchers who made five or more career starts
CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC SERIES HISTORY
Alabama and Auburn will meet again in the Capital City Classic, the eighth time in the history of the event.
Auburn owns the all-time CCC record, going 6-1 across the first seven contests. Below is a recap of all seven games:
+ 2015: Auburn 5, Alabama 3
The Tigers received a solid start from Keegan Thompson, with the righty tossing 7.1 frames and allowing three runs with 12 strikeouts. UA rallied in the ninth, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate but could not score.
+ 2014: Alabama 4, Auburn 3
The Tide scored the game-winning run in the top of the ninth on a bunt from Ben Moore that led to an errant throw to first. Alabama's Thomas Burrows was named MVP for his 3.0 scoreless innings pitched.
+ 2013: Auburn 6, Alabama 3
Alabama committed three errors, leading to four unearned runs for Auburn.
+ 2012: Auburn 8, Alabama 3
Auburn put the game out of reach with three runs in the eighth inning to move ahead by five for the eventual 8-3 final.
+ 2011: Auburn 2, Alabama 1
The Tigers and Tide were knotted up at 1-1 until a two-out double in the second inning gave Auburn the final lead.
+ 2010: Auburn 8, Alabama 6
The score stayed at 5-4 from the fourth inning until the seventh, when an RBI single to center widened the gap for AU.
+ 2009: Auburn 8, Alabama 7
Auburn scored two runs in the ninth inning to erase a one-run deficit en route to an 8-7 win over Alabama.
ALABAMA FIRST PITCH - DOUG DUKE
Former Alabama standout Doug Duke will represent the Crimson Tide by throwing out a first pitch in the Capital City Classic.
Duke, who played at Alabama from 1984-86, was a two-time All-American during his time in Tuscaloosa. He was a second-team selection as a sophomore and earned first-team recognition during his junior season in 1986.
He owns the Alabama record for career slugging percentage (.758) and holds the single-season record by a catcher for average (.388 - 1985) and home runs in a season (27 - 1986).
Duke is tied for second all-time in Alabama history for career homers with 50, and is tied for eighth in career batting average at .356.
ON DECK
Up next for Alabama is a trip to Athens for a three-game series with Georgia. The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs are scheduled for a Thursday-Saturday series, with the first two games set for a 6 p.m. CT start. Saturday's series finale will start at 11 a.m. CT. All three games will air live on the SEC Network with Dave Neal and Chris Burke on the call.
-UA-
RTR,
Diamond Tide :biga:
March 28, 2016
TUSCALOOSA, AL - The Crimson Tide takes to the road for a four-game roadtrip, starting first with Tuesday's meeting with in-state rival Auburn for the annual MAX Capital City Classic. The two teams will meet for the eighth consecutive year in Montgomery for the non-conference matchup. First pitch of Tuesday's contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. Mike Morgan and Gabe Gross will have the call.
LEADING OFF
The Crimson Tide is currently ranked or receiving votes in all major polls. UA is seeded 21st in the latest Baseball America and 25 in the College Baseball News polls. The Tide is also receiving votes in the D1Baseball, NCBWA and USA Today Coaches polls. Auburn is not ranked in any of the five polls.
The Tigers meet the Tide in Montgomery holding an 11-13 overall record and a 1-5 mark in SEC play. A week ago, Auburn shut out Alabama State, 11-0, before being swept by No. 18 Arkansas this past weekend.
Alabama and Auburn will meet for the 283rd time and eighth time overall in Montgomery for the MAX Capital City Classic. The Crimson Tide holds the advantage, 155-127, in the all-time series, but the Tigers sport a 6-1 record in Montgomery.
The Crimson Tide will look to senior left-hander Jon Keller for the start on Tuesday evening. Keller has made two starts this season and owns a 2.70 ERA (3 ER/10.0 IP) with two walks and five strikeouts. He has not factored into the decision in either outing. Overall, Keller is 1-0 with a 1.62 ERA (3 ER/16.2 IP) in six total appearances.
The Tigers will call on sophomore lefty Andrew Mitchell for the midweek contest. Mitchell is 3-0 overall in seven appearances (four starts) this season and manages a 4.05 ERA (12 ER/26.2 IP). He has struck out 28 while walking 17.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP
UA - Jon Keller (Sr., LHP) vs. AU - Andrew Mitchell (So., LHP)
SCOUTING ALABAMA
Alabama travels to Montgomery after finishing last week at 2-2 overall. The Crimson Tide first fell to UAB, 8-0, on Tuesday night at Regions Field before taking two-of-three games from Tennessee in conference play. The win secured the Tide its second SEC series victory in as many weekends.
Friday's series opener with Tennessee went in favor of the Crimson Tide, 7-3, as UA bounced back from an early three-run deficit to claim the victory in game one. Starter Geoffrey Bramblett allowed three runs in the first inning, but settled down the next 5.1 innings for his team-leading third win of the year. After giving up three hits in the first, Bramblett allowed just five more the rest of the way, finishing his night with six punchouts and no walks. Alabama scored two in the third and put together a four-run fifth to secure the win. The inning was highlighted by a bases-clearing double by Chance Vincent to break the 3-3 tie and give UA a 6-3 lead.
Saturday featured another doubleheader, with Alabama claiming the 11-3 win in game one. The Tide collected 10 hits leading to the 11 runs to claim the series victory. The offense was highlighted by Cody Henry's 2-for-5 game which included a pair of doubles, a team-high four RBI and two runs scored. Also adding multiple RBI was Cobie Vance, who finished with three on his 1-for-4 day. A seven-run seventh highlighted the scoring.
Game two of Saturday's twinbill went in favor of the Volunteers, 6-3. The two teams were even at 3-3 heading into the ninth before a close play at the plate went to Tennessee for the 4-3 lead. One at-bat later, UT tripled to right to put the game out of reach.
Alabama's offense on Saturday was highlighted by Will Haynie, with the junior collecting three hits, a home run, three RBI, two runs scored and a walk. Hunter Webb finished the day at .500 (4-8) with a double, three runs scored and two walks. Connor Short also contributed to the Tide offense on Saturday, finishing with three hits, including a double, with two RBI, one run scored and a walk.
The Crimson Tide was blanked by UAB, 8-0, on Tuesday evening. The shutout loss was Alabama's first shutout of the season. The Blazers registered 12 hits, including four doubles, and forced the Tide to use a total of five pitchers by night's end. Sophomore Tyler McMurray and junior Colton Freeman each made their first appearances of the year.
Alabama returned home this season after spending 2015 on the road. The Tide played a total of 34 "home" games across the state of Alabama on top of the 22 road contests slotted into the schedule. Thirty of the team's home games were played at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover. The Crimson Tide also played a weekend series at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile and a single game inside Joe W. Davis Municipal Stadium in Huntsville.
In addition to the "home" contests, UA also traveled to Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery for the annual MAX Capital City Classic against Auburn, and then to Regions Field in Birmingham for an away game with UAB.
Alabama's roster features 21 letterwinners from the 2015 squad that reached the quarterfinals of the 2015 SEC Tournament. The 2016 Tide returns five positional starters, and five pitchers who made five or more career starts
CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC SERIES HISTORY
Alabama and Auburn will meet again in the Capital City Classic, the eighth time in the history of the event.
Auburn owns the all-time CCC record, going 6-1 across the first seven contests. Below is a recap of all seven games:
+ 2015: Auburn 5, Alabama 3
The Tigers received a solid start from Keegan Thompson, with the righty tossing 7.1 frames and allowing three runs with 12 strikeouts. UA rallied in the ninth, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate but could not score.
+ 2014: Alabama 4, Auburn 3
The Tide scored the game-winning run in the top of the ninth on a bunt from Ben Moore that led to an errant throw to first. Alabama's Thomas Burrows was named MVP for his 3.0 scoreless innings pitched.
+ 2013: Auburn 6, Alabama 3
Alabama committed three errors, leading to four unearned runs for Auburn.
+ 2012: Auburn 8, Alabama 3
Auburn put the game out of reach with three runs in the eighth inning to move ahead by five for the eventual 8-3 final.
+ 2011: Auburn 2, Alabama 1
The Tigers and Tide were knotted up at 1-1 until a two-out double in the second inning gave Auburn the final lead.
+ 2010: Auburn 8, Alabama 6
The score stayed at 5-4 from the fourth inning until the seventh, when an RBI single to center widened the gap for AU.
+ 2009: Auburn 8, Alabama 7
Auburn scored two runs in the ninth inning to erase a one-run deficit en route to an 8-7 win over Alabama.
ALABAMA FIRST PITCH - DOUG DUKE
Former Alabama standout Doug Duke will represent the Crimson Tide by throwing out a first pitch in the Capital City Classic.
Duke, who played at Alabama from 1984-86, was a two-time All-American during his time in Tuscaloosa. He was a second-team selection as a sophomore and earned first-team recognition during his junior season in 1986.
He owns the Alabama record for career slugging percentage (.758) and holds the single-season record by a catcher for average (.388 - 1985) and home runs in a season (27 - 1986).
Duke is tied for second all-time in Alabama history for career homers with 50, and is tied for eighth in career batting average at .356.
ON DECK
Up next for Alabama is a trip to Athens for a three-game series with Georgia. The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs are scheduled for a Thursday-Saturday series, with the first two games set for a 6 p.m. CT start. Saturday's series finale will start at 11 a.m. CT. All three games will air live on the SEC Network with Dave Neal and Chris Burke on the call.
-UA-
RTR,
Diamond Tide :biga:
