Diamond Notes: Final Home Weekend Series for Bama Matches the Tide with #18 Texas A&M
The Crimson Tide and Aggies will meet for the 22nd time in series history on Friday night
5/9/2019
TUSCALOOSA, AL – Alabama baseball welcomes 18th-ranked Texas A&M to Sewell-Thomas from Friday through Sunday for the Crimson Tide's final home series of the 2019 campaign. The Tide and Aggies are scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT start in the opener followed by a pair of 2 p.m. first pitches for the final two games of the series. The first two matchups will air on SEC Network+ with the finale earning a national audience on SEC Network.
The final weekend at The Joe will feature numerous promotions when the Crimson Tide squares off with Texas A&M. Saturday's matchup will be the Tide's "Senior Day" celebration. Alabama baseball will recognize its four seniors on-field prior to first pitch. The list of seniors includes Joe Breaux, Sam Finnerty, Keith Holcombe and Jeremy Randolph. The Tide baseball program will also recognize manager Brady Carpenter as part of the pregame ceremonies.
The Crimson Tide will celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday. As part of the celebration, moms can pick up their Alabama Baseball coffee mug at the gates. Also, the mothers of the four Alabama seniors will throw out the ceremonial pitch prior to the game. Sunday's series finale will also be the Tide's final "Kids' Day at The Joe" promotional event. All kids 18-and-under can purchase a $5 general admission ticket. Children 12-and-under will also have the chance to run the bases postgame.
FOLLOW THE TIDE
Fans can follow this weekend's game via the below outlets:
Watch: SEC Network+ (Friday | Saturday) / SEC Network (Sunday)
Listen: 102.9 FM / CTSN / TuneIn App
Twitter: @AlabamaBSB
Live Stats: RollTide.com
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
FRIDAY: UA – Wil Freeman (Jr., RHP) vs. A&M – John Doxakis (Jr., LHP)
SATURDAY: UA – Brock Love (R-Jr., RHP) vs. A&M – Asa Lacy (So., LHP)
SUNDAY: UA – TBA vs. A&M – TBA
LEADING OFF
• Alabama and Texas A&M will meet for the 22nd time in the history of the two programs when the teams square off for the series opener on Friday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Aggies hold the all-time series advantage, 15-6, as well as the series lead in Tuscaloosa, 5-3.
• The two Western Division foes last met for a series from April 12-14, 2018, in College Station, where the then-19th-ranked Aggies swept the Crimson Tide from Thursday through Saturday at Blue Bell Park. Game one went in favor of A&M, 12-6, before the Aggies took game two by a score of 9-6 to earn the series victory. The finale saw the two teams go into extras, with A&M walking it off in a 3-2 win.
• Alabama will send a pair of right-handers to the hill this weekend, first with junior Wil Freeman getting the nod on Friday. The Crimson Tide will then look to its usual game-two starter in Brock Love, a redshirt junior, on Saturday afternoon. Alabama's Sunday starter is still to be announced.
• Texas A&M will call on two southpaws to start the series out. Junior John Doxakis will take the hill on Friday followed by sophomore Asa Lacy in Saturday's pairing. The Aggies have yet to announce a Sunday starter.
ABOUT ALABAMA
• Alabama enters this weekend with a 2-2 record across its last four matchups. The Crimson Tide traveled to Auburn this past weekend for a series with the Tigers, securing a win in the middle game of the three-game set. Alabama then traveled to Troy to square off with the Trojans this past Wednesday evening, leaving Riddle-Pace Field with a 7-3 victory to split the season series between the two in-state foes.
• The Tide suffered a 5-1 loss to Auburn on Friday evening at Plainsman Park. The Tigers kicked off the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first for the 2-0 lead. The score would hold until UA got on the board in the fourth to make it a one-run game.
• Sophomore Tyler Gentry began the inning with a leadoff single before stealing second. A double to center from freshman Drew Williamson put the pair in scoring position for Kolby Robinson. The junior delivered on the opportunity, singling to right to bring in Gentry and set things at 2-1 through four.
• The Tide would get no closer as the Tigers added a pair in the fifth on a misplay for the 4-1 lead. One more run would cross for Auburn in the bottom of the eighth to move the score to 5-1, the eventual final.
• After a 90-minute rain delay, Alabama came away with a 7-6 win early into Sunday morning in a wild contest against Auburn. Entering the ninth down by one, the Tide rallied for two runs to regain the lead that was lost a half inning earlier. The ninth inning rally came with two outs, as a single from senior Joe Breaux tied things up. Breaux then stole second to put himself in scoring position before freshman Tyler Ras delivered a single to left field, scoring Breaux and putting the Tide out front by one.
• A quick 1-2-3 ninth from junior Deacon Medders locked up the win for Alabama and evened the series at one game apiece. Medders (1) collected his first save of the season with the clean frame, while graduate Jeremy Randolph (2-2) picked up the win. Three other Crimson Tide arms contributed on the mound on Saturday, highlighted by a standout start from Brock Love. The redshirt junior tossed 5.1 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts.
• All nine starters were able to reach base safely on the night with six of those players tallying at least one hit. Ras matched junior Morgan McCullough with a three-hit performance to pace the Tide offense. Both Ras and McCullough contributed one RBI and a run scored with Ras delivering the game-winning hit. Breaux and Williamson tied for the team lead in RBI with two apiece while junior Brett Auerbach and Gentry each recorded two runs scored.
• Alabama's comeback hopes were ended late as Auburn came away with a 17-7 win on Sunday. The Crimson Tide and Tigers were knotted at 3-3 after three innings on Sunday.
• Auburn then scored one in the sixth and four in the seventh to deliver what appeared to be the crushing blow, but UA came back with three in the eighth to make it an 8-6 contest headed to the bottom of the eighth. That half inning saw the Tigers score nine runs to put things out of reach. Alabama battled for one in the ninth but would come no closer in the 17-7 series finale.
• The Alabama hitters put together another strong performance on Sunday to record 14 hits with seven of the nine starters tallying at least one hit. McCullough led UA in hits with a 4-for-5 day that included a team-leading two runs scored along with a team-high tying two RBI. Right behind him was Auerbach who contributed a 3-for-5 afternoon with two RBI and a run scored. Gentry and Ras each registered two hits with Ras adding a run scored.
• The Crimson Tide put forth a complete team effort in Wednesday's 7-3 win over Troy. The victory split the 2019 home-and-home series between the two in-state foes.
• Alabama's six bullpen arms combined for 7.0 frames of one-run baseball with junior Casey Cobb earning his first win of the season on Wednesday evening. Randolph picked up his eighth save with the Tide closer striking out three in the ninth.
• Ras split time between the mound and designated hitter spots. The freshman got the start on the hill and finished with a 4-for-5 night at the plate. His offensive effort included two doubles, an RBI and one run scored. Leading the Tide in RBI was Gentry, who totaled four thanks to his 2-for-5 effort that included a home run, a double and one run scored.
ABOUT TEXAS A&M
• Rob Childress is in his 14th season with the Aggies in 2019 and entered the new campaign with a career record of 539-283-2 - all in College Station. Childress is joined by assistant coaches Will Bolt and Justin Seely along with volunteer assistant Jeff Christy.
• Texas A&M returned 17 letterwinners, including six positional starters and seven pitchers, from the 2018 team that finished 40-22 overall and 13-17 in SEC action to finish sixth in the West and 10th overall in the league. The Aggies advanced on to the NCAA Austin Regional where they went 1-2. The 2019 roster is without 13 lettermen from a season ago, a number that includes four positional starters and eight pitchers. The 2019 Aggie roster features 20 newcomers.
• The Aggies were selected to finish fifth in the West and ninth overall in the SEC in the league's preseason poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches.
ON DECK
The Crimson Tide will take Monday off before returning The Joe on Tuesday evening for a matchup with the Samford Bulldogs. Alabama's final home matchup of 2019 is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch with the game being broadcast on SEC Network+.
-UA-
RTR,
Diamond Tide :biga:
The Crimson Tide and Aggies will meet for the 22nd time in series history on Friday night
5/9/2019
TUSCALOOSA, AL – Alabama baseball welcomes 18th-ranked Texas A&M to Sewell-Thomas from Friday through Sunday for the Crimson Tide's final home series of the 2019 campaign. The Tide and Aggies are scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT start in the opener followed by a pair of 2 p.m. first pitches for the final two games of the series. The first two matchups will air on SEC Network+ with the finale earning a national audience on SEC Network.
The final weekend at The Joe will feature numerous promotions when the Crimson Tide squares off with Texas A&M. Saturday's matchup will be the Tide's "Senior Day" celebration. Alabama baseball will recognize its four seniors on-field prior to first pitch. The list of seniors includes Joe Breaux, Sam Finnerty, Keith Holcombe and Jeremy Randolph. The Tide baseball program will also recognize manager Brady Carpenter as part of the pregame ceremonies.
The Crimson Tide will celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday. As part of the celebration, moms can pick up their Alabama Baseball coffee mug at the gates. Also, the mothers of the four Alabama seniors will throw out the ceremonial pitch prior to the game. Sunday's series finale will also be the Tide's final "Kids' Day at The Joe" promotional event. All kids 18-and-under can purchase a $5 general admission ticket. Children 12-and-under will also have the chance to run the bases postgame.
FOLLOW THE TIDE
Fans can follow this weekend's game via the below outlets:
Watch: SEC Network+ (Friday | Saturday) / SEC Network (Sunday)
Listen: 102.9 FM / CTSN / TuneIn App
Twitter: @AlabamaBSB
Live Stats: RollTide.com
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
FRIDAY: UA – Wil Freeman (Jr., RHP) vs. A&M – John Doxakis (Jr., LHP)
SATURDAY: UA – Brock Love (R-Jr., RHP) vs. A&M – Asa Lacy (So., LHP)
SUNDAY: UA – TBA vs. A&M – TBA
LEADING OFF
• Alabama and Texas A&M will meet for the 22nd time in the history of the two programs when the teams square off for the series opener on Friday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Aggies hold the all-time series advantage, 15-6, as well as the series lead in Tuscaloosa, 5-3.
• The two Western Division foes last met for a series from April 12-14, 2018, in College Station, where the then-19th-ranked Aggies swept the Crimson Tide from Thursday through Saturday at Blue Bell Park. Game one went in favor of A&M, 12-6, before the Aggies took game two by a score of 9-6 to earn the series victory. The finale saw the two teams go into extras, with A&M walking it off in a 3-2 win.
• Alabama will send a pair of right-handers to the hill this weekend, first with junior Wil Freeman getting the nod on Friday. The Crimson Tide will then look to its usual game-two starter in Brock Love, a redshirt junior, on Saturday afternoon. Alabama's Sunday starter is still to be announced.
• Texas A&M will call on two southpaws to start the series out. Junior John Doxakis will take the hill on Friday followed by sophomore Asa Lacy in Saturday's pairing. The Aggies have yet to announce a Sunday starter.
ABOUT ALABAMA
• Alabama enters this weekend with a 2-2 record across its last four matchups. The Crimson Tide traveled to Auburn this past weekend for a series with the Tigers, securing a win in the middle game of the three-game set. Alabama then traveled to Troy to square off with the Trojans this past Wednesday evening, leaving Riddle-Pace Field with a 7-3 victory to split the season series between the two in-state foes.
• The Tide suffered a 5-1 loss to Auburn on Friday evening at Plainsman Park. The Tigers kicked off the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first for the 2-0 lead. The score would hold until UA got on the board in the fourth to make it a one-run game.
• Sophomore Tyler Gentry began the inning with a leadoff single before stealing second. A double to center from freshman Drew Williamson put the pair in scoring position for Kolby Robinson. The junior delivered on the opportunity, singling to right to bring in Gentry and set things at 2-1 through four.
• The Tide would get no closer as the Tigers added a pair in the fifth on a misplay for the 4-1 lead. One more run would cross for Auburn in the bottom of the eighth to move the score to 5-1, the eventual final.
• After a 90-minute rain delay, Alabama came away with a 7-6 win early into Sunday morning in a wild contest against Auburn. Entering the ninth down by one, the Tide rallied for two runs to regain the lead that was lost a half inning earlier. The ninth inning rally came with two outs, as a single from senior Joe Breaux tied things up. Breaux then stole second to put himself in scoring position before freshman Tyler Ras delivered a single to left field, scoring Breaux and putting the Tide out front by one.
• A quick 1-2-3 ninth from junior Deacon Medders locked up the win for Alabama and evened the series at one game apiece. Medders (1) collected his first save of the season with the clean frame, while graduate Jeremy Randolph (2-2) picked up the win. Three other Crimson Tide arms contributed on the mound on Saturday, highlighted by a standout start from Brock Love. The redshirt junior tossed 5.1 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts.
• All nine starters were able to reach base safely on the night with six of those players tallying at least one hit. Ras matched junior Morgan McCullough with a three-hit performance to pace the Tide offense. Both Ras and McCullough contributed one RBI and a run scored with Ras delivering the game-winning hit. Breaux and Williamson tied for the team lead in RBI with two apiece while junior Brett Auerbach and Gentry each recorded two runs scored.
• Alabama's comeback hopes were ended late as Auburn came away with a 17-7 win on Sunday. The Crimson Tide and Tigers were knotted at 3-3 after three innings on Sunday.
• Auburn then scored one in the sixth and four in the seventh to deliver what appeared to be the crushing blow, but UA came back with three in the eighth to make it an 8-6 contest headed to the bottom of the eighth. That half inning saw the Tigers score nine runs to put things out of reach. Alabama battled for one in the ninth but would come no closer in the 17-7 series finale.
• The Alabama hitters put together another strong performance on Sunday to record 14 hits with seven of the nine starters tallying at least one hit. McCullough led UA in hits with a 4-for-5 day that included a team-leading two runs scored along with a team-high tying two RBI. Right behind him was Auerbach who contributed a 3-for-5 afternoon with two RBI and a run scored. Gentry and Ras each registered two hits with Ras adding a run scored.
• The Crimson Tide put forth a complete team effort in Wednesday's 7-3 win over Troy. The victory split the 2019 home-and-home series between the two in-state foes.
• Alabama's six bullpen arms combined for 7.0 frames of one-run baseball with junior Casey Cobb earning his first win of the season on Wednesday evening. Randolph picked up his eighth save with the Tide closer striking out three in the ninth.
• Ras split time between the mound and designated hitter spots. The freshman got the start on the hill and finished with a 4-for-5 night at the plate. His offensive effort included two doubles, an RBI and one run scored. Leading the Tide in RBI was Gentry, who totaled four thanks to his 2-for-5 effort that included a home run, a double and one run scored.
ABOUT TEXAS A&M
• Rob Childress is in his 14th season with the Aggies in 2019 and entered the new campaign with a career record of 539-283-2 - all in College Station. Childress is joined by assistant coaches Will Bolt and Justin Seely along with volunteer assistant Jeff Christy.
• Texas A&M returned 17 letterwinners, including six positional starters and seven pitchers, from the 2018 team that finished 40-22 overall and 13-17 in SEC action to finish sixth in the West and 10th overall in the league. The Aggies advanced on to the NCAA Austin Regional where they went 1-2. The 2019 roster is without 13 lettermen from a season ago, a number that includes four positional starters and eight pitchers. The 2019 Aggie roster features 20 newcomers.
• The Aggies were selected to finish fifth in the West and ninth overall in the SEC in the league's preseason poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches.
ON DECK
The Crimson Tide will take Monday off before returning The Joe on Tuesday evening for a matchup with the Samford Bulldogs. Alabama's final home matchup of 2019 is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch with the game being broadcast on SEC Network+.
-UA-
RTR,
Diamond Tide :biga:
