The Crimson Tide welcomes the Gamecocks to The Joe on Tuesday before the Trojans come to town on Wednesday
3/4/2024
TUSCALOOSA, AL – Alabama baseball will open its upcoming five-game homestand with a pair of midweeks at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The 13th-ranked Crimson Tide will first host Jacksonville State on Tuesday with the Troy Trojans coming to town on Wednesday. Both in-state matchups are scheduled for a 4 p.m. CT first pitch on SEC Network+.
Tuesday's contest with the Gamecocks will continue the Tide's '$2 Tuesday' at The Joe. The deal is one of Alabama's season-long promotions, featuring $2 reserved tickets for all fans in attendance.
Follow the Tide
Fans can follow the midweeks via the below outlets:
Watch: SEC Network+
Listen: 100.9 FM / CTSN / The Varsity App
Twitter: @AlabamaBSB
Live Stats: RollTide.com
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups
TUESDAY: UA – Sam Mitchell (Fr., RHP) vs. JSU – Jack Hoppenjans (Jr., RHP)
WEDNESDAY: UA – TBA vs. TROY – Garrett Gainous (R-Jr., RHP)
Leading Off
• Alabama and Jacksonville State will meet for the 47th time in series history when the two clubs square off on Tuesday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Tide holds the all-time advantage, 36-10, including a 29-7 mark in Tuscaloosa. UA enters Tuesday's contest riding an eight-game win streak over the Gamecocks.
• The two teams last met on Feb. 28 of last season in Tuscaloosa, with Alabama earning a 17-3 win.
• Alabama and Troy will meet for the 42nd time in series history when the two teams square off on Wednesday afternoon at The Joe. The Crimson Tide holds the all-time advantage, 29-12, including a 23-5 mark in Tuscaloosa. Alabama enters Wednesday riding a six-game win streak over the Trojans.
• The Tide and Trojans met three times a season ago with Alabama finishing a perfect 3-0. The final, and most recent, matchup came in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional where the Tide outlasted Troy, 11-8, on June 3.
About Alabama
• The Crimson Tide wrapped up the week at 3-1 overall, first downing UAB on Tuesday in Birmingham before going 2-1 in the Frisco Classic at Riders Field over the weekend.
• Alabama opened the season on an 11-game winning streak. The start to the Rob Vaughn era was the best start by a head coach in Alabama baseball history, surpassing the previous record of 10 straight wins set in 1897 by Kid Peeples.
• The weekend in Frisco wrapped up with seven different players being named to the Frisco Classic All-Tournament Team. The group included Bryce Eblin (INF), Matthew Heiberger (RP), Ben Hess (SP), Will Hodo (INF), TJ McCants (OF), Evan Sleight (OF) and Mason Swinney (DH). Sleight was also selected as the Classic's Most Valuable Player.
• Alabama scored three runs in the 10th to come away with a 9-7 win over UAB last Tuesday evening at Regions Field.
• UAB used two innings to gain a 4-0 advantage, which is where the scored stayed until the fifth. In that fifth, a two-run homer from Eblin cut the lead in half, and two innings later, McCants tied things up with a two-run shot of his own. The Tide added two more in the eighth, but one Blazer run in the home half followed by a second tally in the ninth sent the game to extras.
• The Tide wasted no time in extras, scoring three runs in the top of the 10th. The inning featured a two-run double by Gage Millerfollowed by an RBI-single from Ian Petrutz and a wild pitch that brought in a final tally for the three-run advantage. UAB would get one run back in the home half, but a strikeout looking ended things in favor of the Tide.
• Heiberger earned the win, allowing one run on one hit and a walk with three strikeouts over the final 1.2 frames. The Crimson Tide was able to keep things close thanks to an impressive effort from Tyler Fay, who was first out of the bullpen and contributed 3.2 scoreless frames with two strikeouts to keep UA within striking distance.
• Alabama used a standout start from Hess combined with a pair of big innings on offense for a 12-0 run-rule victory over No. 21 Indiana on Friday evening to open the Frisco Classic.
• The junior righty was masterful, maintaining a no-hitter through 4.0 frames and finishing with 5.0 scoreless innings that included just one hit, a walk and a career-high tying 10 strikeouts. He handed the ball over to Coulson Buchanan, who tossed 2.0 scoreless, hitless innings with three strikeouts for the save.
• Alabama's offense needed only the two big innings to post 12 runs – a first that featured five runs followed by a seven-run fourth. All nine starters reached base safely while eight of the nine starters recorded at least one hit. The offense was powered by the 2-3-4 hitters in McCants, Petrutz and Hodo, with the trio all contributing two-hit performances while combining for six runs scored and five RBI. Also of note was Sleight, who went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer.
• The Tide traded blows with Arizona all afternoon Saturday, with the Tide getting the upper hand for a 7-6 win in Frisco.
• Arizona was first on the board, putting up a four-spot in the fourth thanks to a pair of two-run homers. The Tide answered immediately with a three-run fifth and tied things up in the sixth thanks to a solo homer from Hodo.
• Alabama then took the lead for the first time with a run in the seventh, but the Wildcats came right back with a two-spot following the seventh inning stretch. The Tide, once again, rallied to retake the lead with a two-run eighth before holding off a late push from Arizona for the 7-6 victory.
• The hits for Alabama were spread across the order with seven of the nine starters contributing at least one knock. Hodo and Eblin each homered with Eblin's accounting for two runs, the team-high mark for RBI. The Tide second baseman also contributed two runs scored and was matched by Sleight for the team lead in that category.
• Alton Davis II picked up the win with 2.0 scoreless innings of work that included one hit, a walk and three strikeouts. He was followed by Heiberger, with the freshman earning his first career save thanks to a scoreless ninth that included one hit and one strikeout.
• Alabama suffered a 7-5 loss to No. 23 Dallas Baptist in extra innings on Sunday in Frisco Classic finale.
• DBU was first to strike with one in the top of the second, but Alabama countered with a three-spot in the home half. The Patriots answered with one run in the third to cut the lead in half, but the Tide added two more in the fourth to make it a 5-2 affair after four. DBU then tied things up with one run in the fifth and two in the sixth before both teams went scoreless the rest of regulation, sending it to extras.
• In the 12th, Dallas Baptist was able to retake the lead with two runs. Alabama reached a pair of runners with two down in the home half to bring the winning run to the plate, but a strikeout ended the rally.
About Jacksonville State
• Steve Bieser is now in his 12th season overall as a collegiate head coach and first season at the helm of the Jacksonville State program. Bieser entered the 2024 campaign with a career 326-252-1 head coaching record between his two previous stops at Southeast Missouri State and Missouri. A 1989 graduate of SEMO, Bieser is joined on staff by assistant coaches Aaron Everett, Brain Sharp and Tyler Packanik.
• Jacksonville State finished the 2023 season with a 27-30 overall record, including a 18-12 mark in ASUN action.
• The Gamecocks were selected to finish seventh overall in the Conference USA preseason poll.
About Troy
•Skylar Meade is in his third season as head coach at Troy, owning a 72-46 mark across his first two seasons. A 2007 graduate of Louisville, Meade is assisted on staff by Ben Wolgamot, Riley McCauley and Adam Godwin.
• Troy finished 2023 with a 40-22 overall record, including a 18-12 mark in Sun Belt play.
• The Trojans were selected to finish third in the Sun Belt's preseason poll.
On Deck
The Crimson Tide will host the Lipscomb Bisons for its final non-conference weekend series of the 2024 season from March 8-10. The series opener on Friday is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch at The Joe followed by another 6 p.m. start on Saturday. Things wrap up on Sunday with the series finale slated for 1 p.m. All three games will air on SEC Network+.
-UA-
RTR,
Diamond Tide
3/4/2024
TUSCALOOSA, AL – Alabama baseball will open its upcoming five-game homestand with a pair of midweeks at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The 13th-ranked Crimson Tide will first host Jacksonville State on Tuesday with the Troy Trojans coming to town on Wednesday. Both in-state matchups are scheduled for a 4 p.m. CT first pitch on SEC Network+.
Tuesday's contest with the Gamecocks will continue the Tide's '$2 Tuesday' at The Joe. The deal is one of Alabama's season-long promotions, featuring $2 reserved tickets for all fans in attendance.
Follow the Tide
Fans can follow the midweeks via the below outlets:
Watch: SEC Network+
Listen: 100.9 FM / CTSN / The Varsity App
Twitter: @AlabamaBSB
Live Stats: RollTide.com
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups
TUESDAY: UA – Sam Mitchell (Fr., RHP) vs. JSU – Jack Hoppenjans (Jr., RHP)
WEDNESDAY: UA – TBA vs. TROY – Garrett Gainous (R-Jr., RHP)
Leading Off
• Alabama and Jacksonville State will meet for the 47th time in series history when the two clubs square off on Tuesday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Tide holds the all-time advantage, 36-10, including a 29-7 mark in Tuscaloosa. UA enters Tuesday's contest riding an eight-game win streak over the Gamecocks.
• The two teams last met on Feb. 28 of last season in Tuscaloosa, with Alabama earning a 17-3 win.
• Alabama and Troy will meet for the 42nd time in series history when the two teams square off on Wednesday afternoon at The Joe. The Crimson Tide holds the all-time advantage, 29-12, including a 23-5 mark in Tuscaloosa. Alabama enters Wednesday riding a six-game win streak over the Trojans.
• The Tide and Trojans met three times a season ago with Alabama finishing a perfect 3-0. The final, and most recent, matchup came in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional where the Tide outlasted Troy, 11-8, on June 3.
About Alabama
• The Crimson Tide wrapped up the week at 3-1 overall, first downing UAB on Tuesday in Birmingham before going 2-1 in the Frisco Classic at Riders Field over the weekend.
• Alabama opened the season on an 11-game winning streak. The start to the Rob Vaughn era was the best start by a head coach in Alabama baseball history, surpassing the previous record of 10 straight wins set in 1897 by Kid Peeples.
• The weekend in Frisco wrapped up with seven different players being named to the Frisco Classic All-Tournament Team. The group included Bryce Eblin (INF), Matthew Heiberger (RP), Ben Hess (SP), Will Hodo (INF), TJ McCants (OF), Evan Sleight (OF) and Mason Swinney (DH). Sleight was also selected as the Classic's Most Valuable Player.
• Alabama scored three runs in the 10th to come away with a 9-7 win over UAB last Tuesday evening at Regions Field.
• UAB used two innings to gain a 4-0 advantage, which is where the scored stayed until the fifth. In that fifth, a two-run homer from Eblin cut the lead in half, and two innings later, McCants tied things up with a two-run shot of his own. The Tide added two more in the eighth, but one Blazer run in the home half followed by a second tally in the ninth sent the game to extras.
• The Tide wasted no time in extras, scoring three runs in the top of the 10th. The inning featured a two-run double by Gage Millerfollowed by an RBI-single from Ian Petrutz and a wild pitch that brought in a final tally for the three-run advantage. UAB would get one run back in the home half, but a strikeout looking ended things in favor of the Tide.
• Heiberger earned the win, allowing one run on one hit and a walk with three strikeouts over the final 1.2 frames. The Crimson Tide was able to keep things close thanks to an impressive effort from Tyler Fay, who was first out of the bullpen and contributed 3.2 scoreless frames with two strikeouts to keep UA within striking distance.
• Alabama used a standout start from Hess combined with a pair of big innings on offense for a 12-0 run-rule victory over No. 21 Indiana on Friday evening to open the Frisco Classic.
• The junior righty was masterful, maintaining a no-hitter through 4.0 frames and finishing with 5.0 scoreless innings that included just one hit, a walk and a career-high tying 10 strikeouts. He handed the ball over to Coulson Buchanan, who tossed 2.0 scoreless, hitless innings with three strikeouts for the save.
• Alabama's offense needed only the two big innings to post 12 runs – a first that featured five runs followed by a seven-run fourth. All nine starters reached base safely while eight of the nine starters recorded at least one hit. The offense was powered by the 2-3-4 hitters in McCants, Petrutz and Hodo, with the trio all contributing two-hit performances while combining for six runs scored and five RBI. Also of note was Sleight, who went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer.
• The Tide traded blows with Arizona all afternoon Saturday, with the Tide getting the upper hand for a 7-6 win in Frisco.
• Arizona was first on the board, putting up a four-spot in the fourth thanks to a pair of two-run homers. The Tide answered immediately with a three-run fifth and tied things up in the sixth thanks to a solo homer from Hodo.
• Alabama then took the lead for the first time with a run in the seventh, but the Wildcats came right back with a two-spot following the seventh inning stretch. The Tide, once again, rallied to retake the lead with a two-run eighth before holding off a late push from Arizona for the 7-6 victory.
• The hits for Alabama were spread across the order with seven of the nine starters contributing at least one knock. Hodo and Eblin each homered with Eblin's accounting for two runs, the team-high mark for RBI. The Tide second baseman also contributed two runs scored and was matched by Sleight for the team lead in that category.
• Alton Davis II picked up the win with 2.0 scoreless innings of work that included one hit, a walk and three strikeouts. He was followed by Heiberger, with the freshman earning his first career save thanks to a scoreless ninth that included one hit and one strikeout.
• Alabama suffered a 7-5 loss to No. 23 Dallas Baptist in extra innings on Sunday in Frisco Classic finale.
• DBU was first to strike with one in the top of the second, but Alabama countered with a three-spot in the home half. The Patriots answered with one run in the third to cut the lead in half, but the Tide added two more in the fourth to make it a 5-2 affair after four. DBU then tied things up with one run in the fifth and two in the sixth before both teams went scoreless the rest of regulation, sending it to extras.
• In the 12th, Dallas Baptist was able to retake the lead with two runs. Alabama reached a pair of runners with two down in the home half to bring the winning run to the plate, but a strikeout ended the rally.
About Jacksonville State
• Steve Bieser is now in his 12th season overall as a collegiate head coach and first season at the helm of the Jacksonville State program. Bieser entered the 2024 campaign with a career 326-252-1 head coaching record between his two previous stops at Southeast Missouri State and Missouri. A 1989 graduate of SEMO, Bieser is joined on staff by assistant coaches Aaron Everett, Brain Sharp and Tyler Packanik.
• Jacksonville State finished the 2023 season with a 27-30 overall record, including a 18-12 mark in ASUN action.
• The Gamecocks were selected to finish seventh overall in the Conference USA preseason poll.
About Troy
•Skylar Meade is in his third season as head coach at Troy, owning a 72-46 mark across his first two seasons. A 2007 graduate of Louisville, Meade is assisted on staff by Ben Wolgamot, Riley McCauley and Adam Godwin.
• Troy finished 2023 with a 40-22 overall record, including a 18-12 mark in Sun Belt play.
• The Trojans were selected to finish third in the Sun Belt's preseason poll.
On Deck
The Crimson Tide will host the Lipscomb Bisons for its final non-conference weekend series of the 2024 season from March 8-10. The series opener on Friday is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch at The Joe followed by another 6 p.m. start on Saturday. Things wrap up on Sunday with the series finale slated for 1 p.m. All three games will air on SEC Network+.
-UA-
RTR,
Diamond Tide
