May 8, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

Complete Release in PDF Format

Complete Release in PDF Format

Crimson Tide Closes Home Baseball Slate with No. 22 Florida

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama closes out the home portion of its 2008 schedule with a three-game series against No. 22 Florida this weekend at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

The series opener is Friday, May 9 at 6:35 p.m. (CDT). The teams will also play on Saturday, May 10 at 4:05 p.m. (CDT) and Sunday, May 11 at 1:05 p.m. (CDT). The series finale has been moved up one hour to accommodate Florida's travel schedule. The game will be televised live by Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS) with Chris Stewart (play-by-play) and Scott McClanahan (color) call the action to a regional audience.

As the SEC race heads into the final two weekends, Alabama (28-22, 12-12 SEC) is tied with Ole Miss for second place in the SEC Western Division and trails division-leading LSU by percentage points with six games to play. Overall, Florida (29-18, 13-11 SEC) is in fifth-pace, one game ahead of Alabama and Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide holds the tie-breaker over the Rebels after its series win in Tuscaloosa (March 28-30) earlier this season.

Alabama's expected pitching rotation includes junior left-hander Miers Quigley (13 G, 4-4, 4.96 ERA) and junior right-handers Austin Hyatt (13 G, 3-3, 4.84 ERA) and Robert Phares (12 G, 2-3, 5.91 ERA). Florida is expected to counter with right-hander Billy Bullock (13 G, 4-3, 4.13 ERA), left-hander Stephen Locke (18 G, 3-2, 3.28 ERA) and junior Patrick Keating (12 G, 8-0, 3.22 ERA).

HEAD COACH Jim Wells: Alabama head coach Jim Wells has compiled a 582-294 (.664) record in 876 games in his 14th season at the Capstone. He is the winningest coach in school history and has worked more games than any other Tide coach. Wells has led the Crimson Tide to two SEC Championships (1996 and 2006), three College World Series appearances (1996, 1997 and 1999), three SEC Western Division titles (1996, 2002 and 2006), six SEC Tournament championships (1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003) and 10 NCAA Regionals. He was named SEC Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2002 and the Baseball America National Coach of the Year in 1996. Overall, Wells has compiled a 776-383 (.670) record in 1,159 games as he enters his 18th season at the Division I level. Prior to Alabama, he spent five years at Northwestern (La.) State, where he compiled a 192-89 (.683) record and led the Demons to three Southland Conference championships and two NCAA Regional appearances.

RUTLEDGE RANKS FOURTH IN TOTAL HITS: Alabama freshman shortstop Josh Rutledge (Cullman, Ala.) leads the SEC and ranks fourth nationally with 82 hits heading into this weekend's series against Florida. William & Mary junior first baseman Mike Sheridan leads all Division I hitters with 86 hits in 47 games. West Virginia senior infielder Tyler Kuhn is second with 85 hits, followed by Florida State junior catcher Buster Posey with 83 hits. Troy senior outfielder Bryan Miller, Sam Houston State senior outfielder Todd Sebek and Georgia Southern junior outfielder Chris Shehan are tied with Rutledge in fourth place with 82 hits. In 48 games, Rutledge is hitting a team-best .389 (82 for 211) with eight extra base hits, 23 RBI and 49 runs scored. He is currently riding a 26-game hitting streak, the longest in the SEC this season and fifth-longest in school history. Rutledge has also hit safely in 23 of 24 SEC games in his rookie season, including a school-record 21-game hitting streak.

SENIOR DAY: Alabama will recognize its four seniors on Saturday, May 10 in a pregame ceremony beginning at 3:45 p.m. The senior class consists of Matt Bentley, Brain Clark, Josh Copeland and Will Stroup.

ALABAMA-FLORIDA SERIES: Alabama holds a 48-37 (.565) lead over Florida in a series that dates back to the 1920 season. The Crimson Tide won 10 of the first 11 meetings (1920-1948) with the Gators, including an 11-4 in Tuscaloosa in the very first meeting. Florida posted an 11-1 win in 1927 for its first series win. Alabama and Florida met 31 times from 1920-84, which included seven post-season meetings. Alabama won a best-of-three series over Florida to claim the 1968 SEC Championship. After dropping the first game in Gainesville (L, 3-4), Alabama rebounded to win the next two games in Tuscaloosa (W, 5-0 and 3-0) to advance to the District III Playoffs in Gastonia, N.C. Alabama and Florida met in four straight SEC Tournaments from 1981-84, with the Gators winning three times. The two teams began meeting on a regular basis in 1986. Florida won five of the six series from 1986-94 and two teams split a rain-shortened two-game series in 1991. The 1990 series was cancelled by SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer due to the death of Florida pitcher, Steve Georgiadis. Since 1995, Alabama has won seven of the 11 regular season series. The Crimson Tide's series win in 1995 was their first over the Gators since winning the 1968 SEC Championship. It was the Tide's first regular-season series win over the Gators since 1950. Alabama won series in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2002, before Florida snapped the streak with three straight series wins from 2003-05. Alabama claimed a series win in Tuscaloosa in 2006, while Florida won the series in Gainesville last year. The Crimson Tide owns a 26-14 (.650) all-time record over the Gators in Tuscaloosa. Alabama head coach Jim Wells is 28-14 (.667) in his career against Florida, including a 12-game winning streak from 1997-2002. The Crimson Tide defeated the Gators five out of six times in 2002. Alabama swept the regular season series in Tuscaloosa and then added two wins en route to the SEC Tournament championship in Hoover. Wells is 13-4 (.765) against the Gators in Tuscaloosa. He is also 7-3 (.700) in neutral site games. Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan is making his coaching debut against Alabama.

FLORIDA SCOUTING REPORT: Florida (29-18, 13-11 SEC) have equaled their win total from the 2007 season and stand in fifth place in the overall SEC standings, one game ahead of sixth-place Alabama and Ole Miss. Florida is on the road for the second straight weekend, having lost two of three at No. 12 South Carolina last weekend at Sarge Frye Field. Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan is in his first season as the Gators head coach. He spent the last nine seasons as an assistant coach at Clemson for Coach Jack Leggett. The Gators have enjoyed much success this season thanks to pitching and defense. Florida has used 15 pitchers this season, including nine that have made 10 or more appearances on the mound. The staff has compiled a 29-18 record two complete games, two shutouts, nine saves and 4.05 ERA. Seven hurlers have logged more than 30 innings this season. In SEC play, Florida has the second-lowest ERA among the 12 conference teams. UF sports a 13-11 record and a 3.89 ERA in 24 league games. The weekend rotation will consist of sophomore right-hander Billy Bullock (Balm, Fla.), junior left-hander Stephen Locke (Tampa, Fla.) and junior right-hander Patrick Keating (Harrisburg, Ill.). The trio has combined for 15-5 (.750) record, including a perfect 8-0 ledger by Keating, this year. In SEC play, the Gators weekend starters are a glistening 11-2 (.846). Florida has three pitchers in the Top 10 in the league in ERA, including Keating (3.22, 7th), Locke (3.28, 8th) and freshman right-hander Tommy Toledo (3.33, 9th) and three pitchers in the Top 10 in appearances, including sophomore left-hander Tony Davis (26, 2nd), sophomore right-hander Clint Franklin (23, t5th) and senior right-hander Josh Edmondson (22, t8th). Florida leads the SEC and ranks third nationally with 60 double plays this season. Junior Avery Barnes (High Springs, Fla.) leads the Gators offense. He is second on the SEC on stolen bases (22), fourth in runs scored (56), fifth in hitting (.389), sixth in on-base percentage (.468) and ninth in hits (68). Sophomore shortstop Cole Figueroa (Tallahassee, Fla.) is fifth in the SEC in runs scored (51) and seventh in RBI (47). He is the son of former Major Leaguer, Bien Figueroa. A talented freshman Josh Adams (Jacksonville, Fla.) is fifth in the SEC with 17 doubles this season. In SEC play, he is second in doubles (10), sixth in hitting (.367) and seventh in on-base percentage (.467).

SEC RECORD: Alabama is 12-12 (.500) in SEC play and tied with Ole Miss for second place in the Western Division with six games to play. The Crimson Tide and Rebels are percentage points behind division-leading LSU (12-11-1) heading into the final two weekends. Alabama has the toughest schedule remaining among those three teams as the Tide plays Florida and league-leading Georgia the next two weekends. The Gators (13-11) and Bulldogs (17-6-1) are 30-17-1 (.635) in SEC play this season. Ole Miss closes out the season with Auburn and Kentucky, who are a combined 21-27 (.429) in league play. LSU has the most favorable schedule of the top three teams in the SEC Western Division, as the Tigers close out the year with Mississippi State and Auburn. The Bulldogs and Tigers are a combined 17-31 (.354). Since an 0-4 start in SEC play, the Tide has gone 12-8 (.600) in its last 20 conference games and has won its last three SEC series. Alabama's 12-8 record since March 22 is the best among Western Division teams and second-best in the conference behind Georgia's 14-5-1 (.725) ledger. In its last 20 SEC games, Alabama is hitting .307 (221 for 721) with 33 home runs and 128 RBI. The pitching staff has gone 12-8 with five saves and a 5.08 ERA. Since March 22, the Alabama bullpen is 8-2 (.800) with five saves and 2.38 ERA in the last 20 SEC games. The pen has been involved in 15 of the 20 decisions. The Tide is 5-3 in one-run SEC games since March 22.

SEC TOURNAMENT RACE WIDE OPEN HEADING INTO STRETCH RUN: The race for the 2008 SEC Tournament is heating up with six games remaining in the regular season. Georgia (17-6-1) is the only team to have clinched a berth in this year's eight-team double-elimination tournament and no team has been mathematically eliminated from contention at this time. The Bulldogs could wrap up both the SEC Eastern Division and overall SEC championship this weekend in Nashville. Eleven of the 12 SEC teams have double-digit wins and 10 of the 12 teams have 10 or more losses. LSU (12-11-1) has won six straight SEC games to take over first place in the SEC Western Division, percentage points ahead of second place Alabama (12-12) and Ole Miss (12-12). All three teams are home this weekend, as LSU hosts Mississippi State in the final series at venerable Alex Box Stadium, and Alabama hosts Florida and Ole Miss hosts Auburn. Alabama and Vanderbilt (14-9) conclude this season with the most difficult SEC schedule. The Crimson Tide and Commodores close out the season with Florida (13-11) and Georgia in the final two weeks. The Gators and Bulldogs are a combined 30-17-1 (.635) this season. LSU has the easiest remaining schedule as the Tigers host Mississippi State (7-17) and travel to Auburn (10-14) to close out the year. The Bulldogs and Tigers are 17-31 (.354) in league play. Arkansas (10-13) has the next easiest schedule as the Razorbacks wrap up the year with South Carolina (13-11) and Mississippi State, who are a combined 20-28 (.417) in SEC play.

Seed Team Games Remaining Combined SEC Records

1. Georgia at Vanderbilt, Alabama 26-21 (.553)

2. LSU Mississippi State, at Auburn 17-31 (.354)

3. Vanderbilt Georgia, at Florida 30-17-1 (.635)

4. South Carolina at Arkansas, Tennessee 21-26 (.447)

5 Florida at Alabama, Vanderbilt 26-21 (.553)

6. Alabama Florida, at Georgia 30-17-1 (.635)

7. Ole Miss Auburn, at Kentucky 21-27 (.438)

8. Kentucky at Tennessee, Ole Miss 23-25 (.479)

Tennessee Kentucky, at South Carolina 24-24 (.500)

10. Arkansas South Carolina, at Mississippi State 20-28 (.417)

11. Auburn at Ole Miss, LSU 24-23-1 (.510)

12. Mississippi State at LSU, Arkansas 22-24-1 (.479)

Brandon May NAMED SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: University of Alabama sophomore left fielder Brandon May was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week after leading the Crimson Tide to a crucial road series win at Arkansas over the weekend, the SEC Office announced Monday, May 5. Against Arkansas, May hit .500 (7 for 14) with six runs scored, five extra-base hits and five RBI. He added two hits and scored three runs in UA's 11-7 series-opening win at Arkansas. May recorded his first career multi-homer game in the Tide' 11-6 win on Saturday that clinched Alabama's first road series win of the year. He finished the game going 3 for 5 with three runs scored, three extra-base hits and four RBI. He was 2 for 4 with an RBI double in Sunday's finale. In four games, May hit .450 (9 for 20) with three home runs and seven RBI, leading the Tide to a 3-1 road record. He also tallied a 1.050 slugging percentage and .476 on-base mark during the week. He went 2 for 6 with two runs scored, one home run and two RBI in the Tide's 10-6 win at Samford. May's two-run home run in the third inning ignited the Crimson Tide offense and brought the team back from a four-run deficit en route to the win.

RUTLEDGE AMONG NCAA HITS LEADERS: Alabama freshman shortstop Josh Rutledge (Cullman, Ala.) is among all NCAA Division hitters with 82 hits this season. William & Mary junior first baseman Mike Sheridan leads the NCAA with 86 hits (47 G, 192 AB) this year. West Virginia's Tyler Kuhn is second nationally with 85 hits (46 G, 197 AB), while Florida State's Buster Posey is third with 83 hits (47 G, 179 AB). Rutledge leads all NCAA freshmen with 82 hits this season and is second among NCAA Division I shortstops. West Virginia's Jedd Gyorko is second among NCAA freshmen with 80 hits, while West Virginia's Tyler Kuhn leads all shortstops with 85 hits.

NCAA Hits Leaders (Through Games of May 4, 2008)

Rank Player School Games Hits

1. Mike Sheridan William & Mary 47 86 (86 for 192)

2. Tyler Kuhn West Virginia 46 85 (85 for 197)

3. Buster Posey Florida State 47 83 (83 for 179)

4. Josh Rutledge ALABAMA 48 82 (82 for 211)

Bryan Miller Troy 49 82 (82 for 212)

Todd Sebek Sam Houston State 49 82 (82 for 223)

Chris Shehan Georgia Southern 48 82 (82 for 188)

8. Jose' Duran Texas A&M 48 81 (81 for 207)

9. Jedd Gyorko West Virginia 46 80 (80 for 189)

Tim Park William & Mary 47 80 (80 for 182)

Ben Woodbury Missouri State 47 80 (80 for 193)

NCAA Freshmen Hits Leaders (Through Games of May 4, 2008)

Rank Player School Games Hits

1. Josh Rutledge ALABAMA 48 82 (82 for 211)

2. Jedd Gyorko West Virginia 46 80 (80 for 189)

3. Jose Lozada Bethune Cookman 50 78 (78 for 182)

4. Null Castillo Florida International 48 74 (74 for 197)

5. Christopher Auten New Mexico State 50 73 (73 for 204)

NCAA Shortstop Hits Leaders (Through Games of May 4, 2008)

Rank Player School Games Hits

1. Tyler Kuhn West Virginia 46 85 (85 for 197)

2. Josh Rutledge ALABAMA 48 82 (82 for 211)

3. Jose' Duran Texas A&M 48 81 (81 for 207)

4. Jason Altenhof Appalachian State 49 78 (78 for 203)

5. Gordon Beckham Georgia 47 75 (75 for 182)

RUTLEDGE LEADS SEC WITH 82 HITS: In addition to his No. 4 national ranking, Rutledge also paces the SEC with 82 hits this season. Vanderbilt's David Macias and Georgia's Gordon Beckham are tied for second with 75 hits, followed by Kentucky's Sawyer Carroll (74 hits) and South Carolina's Justin Smoak (73 hits). In 48 games, Rutledge leads Alabama with a.389 batting average (82 for 211) with eight extra base hits, 23 RBI and 49 runs scored. H also paces the Tide with 26 multi-hit games this season. Rutledge is seeking to become the sixth player in school history to lead the SEC in total hits, joining George Johnson (55, 1967), David Magadan (114, 1983), Mike Twardoski (94, 1986), Dax Norris (105, 1996) and G.W. Keller (107, 1999).

RUTLEDGE SEEKS SEC BATTING TITLE: Rutledge is currently second in the SEC with .433 (45 for 104) batting average in conference games. South Carolina's Justin Smoak currently paces the SEC with a .440 (40 for 91) batting average. Rutledge leads the SEC with 45 hits in conference play and ranks fourth in plate appearances (117), fourth in at-bats (104) and fifth in on-base percentage (.487). Overall, Rutledge has hit safely in 23 of his 24 SEC games this season and has posted a team-best 14 multi-hit games.

RUTLEDGE LEADS SEC ROOKIES: Rutledge also leads all SEC freshmen in hitting, total hits and multi-hit games heading into the Florida series. Through 48 games, Rutledge leads all SEC freshmen with a .386 (82 for 211) average, 82 hits and 24 multi-hit games.

RUTLEDGE HITTING STREAKS: Rutledge is riding a 26-game hitting streak, the fifth-longest hitting streak in school history. During the streak, he is batting .434 (49 for 113) with six extra-base hits, 18 RBI and 26 runs scored. He has 15 multi-hit games since the streak began on March 26 at Jacksonville State. The 26-game hitting streak is the longest in the SEC this season. Ole Miss third baseman Cody Overbeck is second with a 24-game hitting streak, which was snapped in the series opener at Alabama on March 28. The freshman is also riding a school-record 21 game hitting SEC hitting streak. During the streak, Rutledge is hitting .447 (42 for 90) with five extra base hits, nine RBI and 21 runs scored. He also has 13 multi-hit games in the streak, which began on March 21 against Vanderbilt. For the season, Rutledge has hit safely in 23 of his 24 SEC games. He was 0 for 5 at Kentucky on March 16.

ALABAMA'S ALL-TIME HITTING STREAKS

Rank Player Streak Dates

1. Andy Phillips 36 April 3-June 16, 1999

2. Roberto Vaz 32 February 14-April 4, 1997

3. Gabe Scott 27 February 25-April 22, 2005

David Magadan 27 February 22-April 1, 1981

5. Josh Rutledge 26 March 26-Present

G.W. Keller 25 April 17, 1998-February 18, 1999

7. Robby Glenn 22 February 15-March 22, 1992

8. Jeremy Brown 20 April 28-June 11, 1999

Paul Phillips 20 February 23-April 1, 1998

Dax Norris 20 February 18-March 19, 1996

11. Travis Garner 18 April 16-May 17, 2003

Travis Garner 18 February 28-April 2, 2003

Brent Boyd 18 March 31-May 12, 2000

Allan Stallings 18 March 9-April 6, 1985

15. Jeremy Brown 17 March 31-April 27, 2001

16. Emeel Salem 16 March 11-April 7, 2006

Sam Bozanich 16 April 1-21, 1998

Andy Phillips 16 March 4-April 1, 1998

Brad Oliver 16 March 19-April 8, 1993

20. G.W. Keller 15 May 15-June 6, 1997

Mick Kerns 15 March 22-April 12, 1992

ALABAMA'S ALL-TIME SEC HITTING STREAKS (1995-2008)

Rank Player Streak Dates

1. Josh Rutledge 21 March 21-Present

2. Aaron Clark 20 March 16-April 28, 2001

Andy Phillips 20 April 3-May 16, 1999

Sam Bozanich 20 March 28-May 10, 1998

5. Gabe Scott 16 March 18-April 22, 2005

Dustan Mohr 16 April 5-May 10, 1997

7. Brent Boyd 15 April 8-May 12, 2000

G.W. Keller 15 April 10-May 10, 1998

9. Emeel Salem 14 April 21-May 19, 2007

Travis Garner 14 April 18-May 7, 2003

Travis Garner 14 April 6-May 5, 2002

Matt Frick 14 April 4-May 4, 1997

RPI: Alabama is ranked No. 62 in the latest NCAA RPI computer rankings, released on Tuesday, May 6. The Tide has compiled a 22-21 (.512) record in 43 games against the Top 150 RPI this season. Alabama is 8-11 (.421) against the Top 50 RPI, 7-7 (.500) against teams rated 51-100 and 7-3 (.700) against teams ranked from 101-150. Of the Tide's 26 opponents this season, 23 teams are ranked in the Top 150 RPI this week.

Record vs. Top 1-50 RPI (8-11, .421)

15. Southern Miss (L 3-6), 17. Georgia (May 15-17), 18. Florida (May 9-11), 22. LSU (L, 0-3, W, 6-5, L, 9-7), 24. Vanderbilt (L, 1-2, W, 9-7, W, 10-3), 25. Arkansas (W, 11-7, W, 11-6, L,4-5), 33. New Orleans (L, 5-8, L, 17-8), 38. Dallas Baptist (W, 8-1), 40. Kentucky (L, 5-7, L 2-15, L 1-6) and 47. Ole Miss (W, 6-5, W, 5-3, L, 1-2).

Record vs. Top 51-100 RPI (7-7, .500)

63. Auburn (L, 4-5, W 5-4, W 17-7), 74. Cal Poly (W, 10-1, L, 7-16, L, 2-6), 75. Troy (L, 4-5, W, 8-2), 89. Tennessee (W, 12-11, L, 5-13, L, 4-6), 90. South Alabama (L, 9-10) and 95. Jacksonville State (W, 12-6, W 5-0).

Record vs. Top 101-150 RPI (7-3, .700)

109. Southeastern Louisiana (W 7-0), 111. Nevada (W, 7-4), 115. Samford (W, 9-5, W, 10-6), 123. Mississippi State (W 21-7, L 4-6, W 4-3). 136. Texas-Arlington (L 9-10, L 8-12) and 141. Lipscomb (W 8-4).

Record vs. Top 151-200 RPI (1-1, .500)

181. UAB (W, 6-4, L, 5-8)

Record vs. Top 201-296 RPI (4-0, 1.000)

242. Youngstown State (W, 15-7, W, 7-4, W, 6-2) and No. 258 Mississippi Valley State (W, 12-4).

HOME GAMES: The Crimson Tide is 19-8 (.704) at home this season. Alabama has won five of its seven home series this season, including all four SEC series against No. 4 Vanderbilt, No. 15 Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Auburn. The two home series losses came to Cal Poly (Feb. 22-23) and New Orleans (March 18-19). The Crimson Tide posted a five-game home winning streak from March 5-12. In 27 home games this season, Alabama is hitting .307 (279 for 910) with 30 home runs and 184 RBI. Hitting Leaders: Rutledge (.411, 44-107, 31 R, 6 2B, 13 RBI), May (.320, 33-103, 25 R, HR, 22 RBI), Wilson (.305, 32-105, 24 R, 4 HR, 18 RBI), Avila and Bentley (6 HRs) and Matthes (5 HR, 29 RBI). Alabama pitchers are 19-8 with a 3.81 ERA and seven saves this season. The staff has worked 243 innings and allowed 140 runs (103 ER) and 256 hits, with 200 strikeouts and 97 walks. Pitching Leaders: Kilcrease (7 G, 1 GS, 3-0, 0.83 ERA), Copeland (10 G, 2-0, 1.88 ERA, 3 SV), Phares (7 G, 5 GS, 2-1, 3.03 ERA) and Stroup (8 G, 2 GS, 2-0, 3.16 ERA). UA opponents are 8-19 with 6.91 ERA at the Joe this season, with two saves. Alabama is fielding .960 (43 errors) at home this season.

WELLS' HOME RECORD: Alabama has compiled a 377-109 (.776) record at the Joe under Coach Wells since 1995. The Crimson Tide is averaging 26.9 wins per season under Wells. Alabama led the nation in home wins in 1997 (36), 1998 (30), 1999 (37) and 2002 (35). Alabama won a school record 37 home games in 1999 as the Tide posted a 37-4 (.902) record at the Joe. Included in that win total was three wins at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional and two wins at over LSU at the NCAA Super Regional as the Tide advanced to the College World Series for the third time in four years. Alabama won a school-record 32 regular-season home games in 1997, 1999 and 2002. Alabama has won 89 of its 110 (80.9 percent) home series since the 1995 season. Alabama also posted a school-record 27-game winning streak at the Joe from May 1, 2001 until April 17, 2002.

WELLS' SEC HOME RECORD: Alabama is 134-67 (.667) in SEC home games in the Wells era. Alabama has recorded double-digit home wins six times, including a glistening 13-2 SEC home record in 1999 and 2002. Overall, Alabama has won 52 of the 68 SEC home series (76.5 percent) in the Wells era. The Tide won all five SEC home series in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2006. In fact, Alabama won 18 consecutive SEC home series from 1996-2000. Tennessee snapped the streak by winning two of three at the Joe from April 13-15, 2000. The Tide has had one only losing SEC home record under Wells, going 4-11 (.267) in 2004 when it lost all five home series.

SEC HOME SUCCESS: With four SEC series wins this season, Alabama has won 17 of its last 19 SEC home series, dating back to the 2005 season. The Crimson Tide has also won seven straight SEC home series, dating back to last season. The current streak includes series wins over Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Auburn. Since 1995, Alabama has won 28 of its 36 SEC series against Eastern Division teams. The Crimson Tide has won nine straight SEC home series against Eastern Division foes, dating back to the 2005 season. From 1995-2000, Wells guided the Tide to 13 straight home series wins against Eastern Division teams. Since 1995, Alabama has won 24 of its 34 home series against Western Division teams and has won seven of its last eight series, dating back to the 2006 season. From 1996-2000, Wells directed UA to 11 straight home series wins over SEC Western Division clubs.

OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION: Alabama has shown great improvement on offense this season, with a number of players having career years for the Tide. For the season, Alabama is second in the SEC in runs scored (361), hits (541), RBI (322), at-bats (1,764) and plate appearances (2,058). In SEC play, Alabama leads the league in runs scored (154), slugging percentage (.480), at-bats (855) and total bases (410). In its last five games, Alabama is hitting .372 (74 for 199) with 14 home runs and 49 RBI. The Tide is averaging 10.6 runs and 14.8 hits during those five games. In its last 10 games, Alabama is hitting .324 (118 for 364) with 19 home runs and 75 RBI. The Tide is averaging 8.3 runs and 11.8 hits per game over the last 10 games. In its last three SEC series against Mississippi State, Auburn and Arkansas, the Tide is hitting .329 (109 for 331) with 17 home runs and 71 RBI. The Crimson Tide has scored 10 or more runs in four of its last nine SEC games, including three in-a-row against Auburn (April 27) and Arkansas (May 2-3). In the last two series with the Tigers and Hogs, the Tide is hitting .340 (78 for 229) with 12 home runs and 47 RBI. UA hit eight home runs in the Arkansas series, the most against any SEC team this season.

BULLPEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Alabama has gone with a four-man bullpen the last half of the season and the combination of seniors Will Stroup and Josh Copeland, sophomore Austin Graham and freshman Jimmy Nelson has paid big dividends down the stretch.

Since March 22, the Tide bullpen has gone 8-2 (.800) with five saves and 2.38 ERA in its last 20 SEC games. Stroup (22.1 IP), Copeland (17.2 IP) and Graham (13.2 IP) have worked 53 2/3 of the 64 1/3 innings (83.2 percent) in those 20 league games. For the season, the bullpen is 12-4 (.750) with 10 saves and 3.15 ERA in 48 games. In 24 SEC games, UA relievers are 8-2 (.800) with five saves and 2.70 ERA. In the last five games, Alabama's bullpen is 3-1 (.750) with two saves and 3.48 ERA. Over the last 10 games, the bullpen is 5-2 (.714) with three saves and 3.38 ERA.

HOME RUNS: Alabama has cracked 64 home runs in 50 games this season, an average of 1.28 home runs per game. The 64 home runs surpasses last year's total of 58 homers in 57 games. Alabama is 20th among NCAA Division I teams with 64 home runs and ranks 27th with its 1.28 home runs per game this season. The Tide is third in the SEC with 64 home runs, behind South Carolina (88) and Arkansas (69). In SEC games, Alabama is second with 36 home runs. South Carolina leads the league with 38 home runs in conference play.

*A total of 14 different players have hit at least one home run for the Crimson Tide this season. A total of 11 different players have hit at least one home run in SEC play.

*Alex Avila (12), Matt Bentley (10) and Ross Wilson (10) have hit double figure home runs, marking the first time since 2003 the Tide has had three players with 10 or more home runs.

*The 2008 season marks the eighth time under Coach Wells the Crimson Tide has had at least three players hit double-digit home runs in a season.

Year THREE Players with 10 or more Home Runs

2008 Alex Avila (12), Matt Bentley (10) and Ross Wilson (10)

2003 Beau Hearod (20), Adam Pavkovich (10) and Al Hecklinski (10)

2002 Scott McClanahan (14), Hearod (12) and Jeremy Brown (11)

2000 Sam Bozanich (18), Brent Boyd (14), Kelly Gulledge (13), Ben King (13) and Brown (10)

1999 Andy Phillips (22), G.W. Keller (15), Brown (15) and Gulledge (11)

1998 Matt Frick (22), A. Phillips (21), Jayson Cox (15), Keller (14), Drew Bounds (13) and Paul Phillips (10)

1997 Dustan Mohr (25), Roberto Vaz (22), Keller (21), Robbie Tucker (20), Frick (16), A. Phillips (15), Joe Caruso (15)

and David Tidwell (10) (UA set NCAA record w/4 players with 20+ home runs)

1996 Caruso (14),Chris Moller (13) and Mohr (10)

*The Tide has homered in 33 of 50 games this season, including 17 of 24 SEC games.

*Alabama is 23-10 (.697) when hitting at least one home run and 7-12 (.368) without a home run. The Tide is 14-12 (.538) when the opposition hits at least one home run and 14-10 (.583) when opponents go without a home run.

*Alabama hit a season-high eight home runs in its three-game series at Arkansas (May 2-4). The previous high was seven home runs at LSU (April 4-6). The eight home runs are the most in an SEC series since hitting 11 home runs against Ole Miss (April 21-23) during the 2000 season.

*The Crimson Tide stroked a season-high five home runs in its 11-6 win over Arkansas on May 3. The last time Alabama hit five home runs in a game was Feb. 21, 2004 against Cincinnati. The last time Alabama hit five home run in an SEC game was April 22, 2000 against Ole Miss.

*The previous high this season was four home runs against Youngstown State (March 7), Tennessee (April 13), Mississippi State (April 19) and Auburn (April 27).

*The Crimson Tide hit two home runs in the series finale at LSU (April 6) to snap its longest home run drought of the season. May's second inning home run against LSU was Alabama's first home run since March 28, covering a span of six games, 56 1/3 innings and 192 at-bats.

*Alabama has hit 35 solo home runs, 18 two-run home runs, nine three-run home runs and two grand slams this season.

*The Crimson Tide has 20 home runs with no outs, 31 home runs with one out and 20 home runs with two outs.

*Alabama has hit 13 home runs in the seventh inning, the most of any inning this season. In fact, 37 of the 62 home runs have come in the sixth (8), seventh (13), eighth (9) and ninth (3) innings.

*The Tide has hit 20 home runs this season with two strikes in the count.

*Alabama players have seven multi-home run games this season, including three by Bentley, two by Wilson and one by Avila and May. Bentley hit two home runs against Samford (March 12), Ole Miss (March 28) and Auburn (April 27). Wilson has multi-home run games against Mississippi State (April 19) and South Alabama (April 23). Avila hit two home runs at North Alabama (March 11). May hit two home runs against Arkansas (May 3).

*The Crimson Tide has hit three home runs in an inning three times this season against Youngstown State (Wilson, Avila and Matthes), Mississippi State (Wilson, 2 and Howell) and Auburn (Bentley, Odle and Smith). Prior to the YSU game, the last time UA swatted three home runs in an inning came against Mississippi State's Paul Maholm (Jeremy Brown, Aaron Clark and Beau Hearod) on May 4, 2001.

*A total of five players have hit their first career home run this season. May homered in the 2008 season opener against Cal Poly for his first career home run and then hit his first SEC home run at Kentucky on March 14. May now has five home runs this season, including three dingers in a four-game SEC stretch from April 6-12. Wilson slugged his first career home run against UT Arlington (Feb. 28). Junior CF Alex Kubal hit his first home run against Nevada (Feb. 29). Junior 1B Wes Henderson hit his first career home run against New Orleans on March 19. Junior Jeff Texada hit his first career SEC home run (150 at-bats) against Vanderbilt (March 22). Junior catcher Mike Sharp hit is first career home run at Tennessee on April 12.

*Avila has homered against nine of the 11 SEC teams in his UA career, including Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. Avila has never hit a home run against Auburn (9 games) or Georgia (6 games).

*Avila has homered in his last at-bat in each of the last two seasons against North Carolina (3-run HR) and Florida (solo HR).

*Bentley has homered against eight of the 11 SEC teams in his UA career, including Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Tennessee. He has not homered against Georgia (May 15-17), LSU or Vanderbilt.

BACK-TO-BACK HOME RUNS: Alabama has hit back-to-back home runs six time this season, including four times in its last three SEC games. Alabama hit three straight home runs in the seventh inning against Auburn on April 27. The Tide also hit back-to-back home runs twice in its win at Arkansas on May 3.

Date Opponent Consecutive Home Runs Inning

March 7, 2008 Youngstown State Ross Wilson and Alex Avila 7th

April 12, 2008 at Tennessee Matt Bentley and Mike Sharp 6th

April 27, 2008 Auburn Bentley and Tyler Odle 7th

Auburn Odle and Jake Smith 7th

May 3, 2008 at Arkansas Avila and Brandon May 4th

May and Kent Matthes 8th

BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK HOME RUNS: Alabama hit three consecutive home runs in the seventh inning against Auburn on April 27, 2008, which is believed to a be a first in the modern era of Crimson Tide baseball. Bentley cracked a three-run, opposite field home run to left field and Odle followed with an opposite field blast to left center field. Smith capped the home run streak with a shot down the left field line. All three home runs came off Auburn bullpen ace Bryan Woodall.

TEAM NOTES: Alabama is playing its 116th season of baseball and defeated Cal Poly, 10-1, in the 2008 season opener ... Cal Poly scored 11 unearned runs in a 16-7 win over Alabama on Feb. 23 ... The Crimson Tide captured the 2008 Southwest Diamond Classic championship in Frisco, Texas, with a 2-1 record ... After losing to Texas Arlington on the first day, Alabama rebounded to beat Nevada and Dallas Baptist to win the championship ... Alabama has played in four minor league ballparks this season, including Dr Pepper Ballpark (Frisco, Texas), Riverwalk Stadium (Montgomery, Ala.), Regions Park (Hoover, Ala.) and Trustmark Park (Pearl, Miss.) ... Alabama honored the 1983 College World Series team (March 8) at Sewell-Thomas Stadium as the team celebrated its 25th anniversary this season .. The Crimson Tide played the dedication game at University Field in Florence, Ala., on Tuesday, March 11 ... The Crimson Tide beat North Alabama, 15-2, in front a stadium record 1,874 fans ... It was UA's first trip to Florence since 1967 ... The Crimson Tide has played throughout the state of Alabama this season with stops in Montgomery, Florence, Jacksonville, Hoover, Mobile and Birmingham ... Alabama celebrated the 60th anniversary of Sewell-Thomas Stadium on Friday, March 21, which included a post-game fireworks show ... The Crimson Tide turned a season-high four doubles plays in a 12-6 win over Jacksonville State on March 25 ... Alabama played its 1,500th all-time game at Sewell-Thomas Stadium on March 28 against Ole Miss ... Alabama and LSU played a day-nigh double header at Alex Box Stadium on Saturday, April 5 ... LSU won the first game 3-0 (completion of Friday night's suspended game) and Alabama won the nightcap, 6-5, in 11 innings ... The Crimson Tide played its final game at venerable Alex Box Stadium on April 6, losing 9-7 to LSU in Baton Rouge ... Odle scored five runs in UA's 12-4 win over Mississippi Valley State (April 8) ... Alabama honored MSU's retiring head coach Ron Polk in a pregame ceremony on Saturday, April 19 ... The dean of SEC coaches is retiring after 35 years of coaching ... Polk coached his 125th all-time game against the Tide on Saturday, April 19th ... Wilson tied an Alabama record with two home runs in the seventh inning against Mississippi State on April 19 ... Coach Wells missed the Lipscomb (April 22) and South Alabama (April 23) games while tending to his ailing mother in Shreveport, La. ... Three Alabama teams held reunions at the Joe during the Auburn series (April 25-26) ... The 1961 and 1962 teams were recognized prior to the series opener, while the 1968 SEC Championship team held its 40th anniversary on Saturday, April 26.

MAY RECORD: Alabama has compiled a 129-67 (.658) record in the month of May under Coach Wells. The Tide has played 196 games since 1995. From 1995-2001, Alabama went 88-23 (.793) in the month of May. The Crimson Tide went 29-2 (.935) in May during the 1996 and 1997 seasons. Since 2002, Alabama is 41-44 (.482) in the month and has had losing records in 2003 (7-10) and 2004 (4-8). Alabama is 56-45 (.555) in SEC games in the month of May since 1995. The Tide went 10-2 (.833) in SEC play in the month of May in 1996 and 1997. In addition, the Tide has compiled a 56-23 (.667) record in the post-season during the month of May. Alabama was a glistening 19-2 (.905) in post-season games in the month of May in 1996 and 1997. The Crimson Tide was 6-6 (.500) during the month of May last season. The Tide hit .293 (122 for 477) with 15 home runs and 68 RBI. The Crimson Tide and the opposition scored 66 runs apiece last year in 12 games in May. The Tide staff was 6-6 with two saves and 5.62 ERA. Bentley hit .356 (16 for 45) with four home runs and nine RBI in 12 games, while May hit .302 (13 for 43) with two RBI in 12 games. Hyatt was 1-0 with one save and 0.00 ERA in three games last season in May.

STARTERS: Alabama's starters are hitting .310 (528-for-1,701) with 63 home runs and 315 RBI in 50 games. A total of 16 different players have started at least one game for the Crimson Tide this season. May is the only player to play and start all 50 games this season. Wilson is second on the list with 49 starts, as he did not start the Mississippi Valley State game on April 8. Rutledge and Avila have started 48 games for the Tide, while Smith has posted 47 starts. UA opponent's are hitting .284 (467-for-1,643) with 39 home runs and 238 RBI. Alabama's starting pitchers are 16-18 (.471) with two complete games and 5.80 ERA. The Tide has 16 quality starts (6 IP, 3 ER or less) on the mound this year. Alabama has used nine different starting pitchers. Hyatt (3-3, 5.25 ERA) leads the way with a career-high 10 starts. Opponent starters are 12-20 (.375) with two complete games, one shutout and a 6.70 ERA. In SEC play, Alabama's starters are hitting .295 (244-for-828) with 35 home runs and 132 RBI. Alabama has used 15 different starters, with four players (Avila, May, Rutledge and Wilson) starting all 24 games. On the mound, the Crimson Tide has used five different starting pitchers. UA starters are 4-10 (286) with one complete game and a 6.95 ERA. Junior RHP Robert Phares is 2-2 with a staff best 5.48 ERA in seven starts. Hyatt (8 GS, 1-3, 6.11 ERA) is the only pitcher to start all eight series.

RESERVES: The Crimson Tide bench is 14 for 62 (.245) with one home run and seven RBI. The bench has scored 10 runs and recorded three extra base hits. Alabama pinch-hitters are 7 for 33 (.212) this season. Junior OF Tyler Odle has the most pinch-hit opportunities and is 3 for 11 (.273) in that role this season. Junior OF Ryan Rhoden is 2 for 8 (.250), but had a key two-run single in the Tide's 9-7 win over Vanderbilt on March 22. Junior Vin DiFazio is hitless in six pinch-hit opportunities this season. Overall, Odle is 5 for 17 (.294) off the bench with one RBI. Alabama opponents are hitting .245 (23-for-94) off the bench this season, with 16 runs scored and 11 RBI. The Tide's bullpen is 12-4 (.750) with 10 saves and 3.15 ERA this season. Copeland (19 G, 3-2, 4 SV, 2.51 ERA), Stroup (14 G, 3-1, 2.45 ERA) and Graham (12 G, 1-0, 3 SV, 1.93 ERA) have combined for 45 appearances out of the bullpen. The bullpen has posted 21 scoreless outings this season. From March 22-April 1, the Alabama bullpen allowed only three earned runs (1.30 ERA) in 20 2/3 innings and accounted for three wins and three saves in seven games. UA opponents have compiled a 10-8 (.533) record with 11 saves and a 5.99 ERA. In SEC play, Alabama's bench has been much more productive with a .346 (9 for 26) average, with one home run and six RBI. Alabama's bullpen is 8-2 (.800) with five saves and a 2.70 ERA in league play. Copeland (12 G, 3-0, 2.29 ERA) and Stroup (10 G, 3-1, 1.61 ERA) have logged 10 or more appearances. Graham is 1-0 with two saves and 3.29 ERA in seven SEC relief appearances. He has 17 strikeouts and has not walked a batter in 13 2/3 innings.

WINS: Alabama is hitting .339 (335 for 989) in its 28 wins this season and averages 9.4 runs and 11.9 hits per game. The Crimson Tide has 107 extra base hits, including 52 doubles, eight triples and 47 home runs. Alabama owns a 58-24 scoring edge in the first two innings and holds a 43-8 scoring lead in the seventh inning during its wins. Hitting Leaders: Rutledge (.419, 52-124, 35 R, 17 RBI), May (.385, 42-109, 32 R, 5 HR, 31 RBI), Avila (.365, 35-96, 34 R, 9 HR, 31 RBI) and Bentley (.326, 29-89, 29 R, 8 HR, 26 RBI).

On the mound the Tide is 28-0 with 10 saves, two shutouts, one complete game and a 3.39 ERA. The Crimson Tide has worked 252 innings and allowed 119 runs (95 ER) and 241 hits, with 225 strikeouts and 95 walks. Pitching Leaders: Kilcrease (6 G, 2 GS, 3-0, 0.44 ERA) Nelson (5 G, 1 GS, 3-0, 1.84 ERA), Quigley (5 GS, 4-0, 2.34 ERA) and Copeland (12 G, 3-0, 4 SV, 2.79 ERA). Alabama has been pretty consistent on defense during its 28 wins this season. The Tide is fielding .963 and has made 41 errors (1.46 per game) and turned 23 double plays.

LOSSES: The Crimson Tide is hitting .267 (207 for 774) in its 22 losses this season and averages 4.5 runs and 9.4 hits per game. Alabama has been outscored 176-98 in its losses. One of the telling signs is the Tide's early deficits. Alabama has been outscored 99-37 in the first four innings of its losses, including a 24-8 deficit in the first inning; 26-7 in the second inning; 26-11 in the third inning and 23-11 in the fourth inning. The Crimson Tide is 3-16 when trailing after six innings. Hitting Leaders: Rutledge (.345, 30-87, 14 R, 6 RBI), May (.329, 28-85, 18 R, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and Matthes (.301, 25-83, 10 R, 2 HR, 7 RBI). Alabama pitchers are 0-22 with a 6.53 ERA in the losses this season. The staff has worked 187 1/3 innings and allowed 176 runs (136 ER) and 249 hits, with 142 strikeouts and 107 walks. Pitching Leaders: Copeland (7 G, 0-2, 1.93 ERA) and Hyatt (5 G, 3 GS, 0-3, 4.71 ERA). Alabama's defense has also contributed to the 21 losses this season, as UA is fielding .949 with 42 errors (1.9 per game) and turned 21 double plays.

SIX-PACK: One sure way to know the outcome of an Alabama baseball game this season is to check the scoreboard at the end of the sixth inning. The Crimson Tide is 24-2 (.923) this season when leading after six innings and 3-16 (.158) when trailing after six innings.

BIG INNINGS: Alabama has scored five or more runs in an inning 12 times this season, including a pair of six-run innings in the Arkansas series. The Crimson Tide scored six runs in the fourth inning of the series opener to take 7-4 lead. Alabama added another six-run inning in the eighth inning on Saturday, May 3 to take an 8-3 lead. Overall, UA has produced seven five-run innings, three six-run innings and two eight-run innings this year. UA opponents have scored five or more runs in an inning eight times this season, including two five-run innings, two six-run innings, two seven-run innings and two eight-run innings.

SCORING FIRST: Alabama is 16-9 (.640) when scoring first this season and 12-13 (.480) when the opponent scores first. The Crimson Tide is 13-6 (.684) when scoring in the first inning and has tallied at least one first-inning run in five of its last eight games. Alabama is 8-10 (.444) in games in which the opponent scores in the first inning. There have been 13 games in which neither team scored in the first inning. In SEC play, the trend is reversed as UA is 3-6 (.333) when scoring first and 9-6 (.600) when the opponent scores first. Alabama is 4-3 (.571) in league games when its scores in the first inning and 7-4 (.636) when SEC opponents score in the first inning.

DOUBLE DIPPING: Alabama has compiled a 222-10 (.957) record under since 1995 when scoring 10 or more runs in a game. The Crimson Tide is 12-0 (1.000) this season when scoring 10 or more runs and owns a 38-game winning streak, dating back to 2005. Alabama's last loss when scoring 10 or more runs was an 11-10 loss at No. 9 Ole Miss on April 9, 2005. The Crimson Tide won five straight games when scoring 10 or more runs to end the 2005 season and then went 12-0 in 2006 and 9-0 in 2007. Coach Wells has compiled a 257-13 (.952) all-time record in 266 games when scoring 10 or more runs. He was 35-3 (.921) at Northwestern State when scoring 10 or more runs. The Crimson Tide is 96-3 (.970) since the start of the 2001 season when scoring 10 or more runs in a game. Alabama won 42 consecutive games when scoring 10 or more runs from May 19, 2000 until March 30, 2003. The 42-game winning streak when scoring 10 or more runs was the longest by a Wells coached team. His previous best was 36 consecutive games from 1993-96 at Northwestern State (9-0) and Alabama (27-0)

BASES LOADED: Alabama has struggled this season with the bases loaded. In 50 regular-season games, the Tide is hitting .246 (17 for 69) with the bases loaded. In 24 SEC games, Alabama is 5 for 32 (.156) with the bases loaded. Alabama has hit two grand slams this season. Howell's seventh-inning grand slam against MSU on April 19 snapped a pair of lengthy droughts with the bases full. The grand slam was UA's first hit in 10 at-bats with the bases loaded, dating back to the SE Louisiana game on April 9. It also snapped a streak of 15 straight hitless at-bats in SEC play, dating back to the Ole Miss game on March 28. Alabama has left the bases loaded 25 times this season, including two times in the same game against Troy (March 4), New Orleans (March 18), Ole Miss (March 29), Tennessee (April 13) and Samford (April 29). The Tide is 2-3 (.400) in those games. Alabama is 5-14 (.263) in the 19 games in which the Tide has left the bases loaded at least once this season. The Tide has stranded three base runners in an inning against Cal Poly (Feb. 23), Texas Arlington (Feb. 28), Troy (March 4), North Alabama (March 11), Samford (March 12), Kentucky (March 14 and March 16), New Orleans (March 18), Vanderbilt (March 29), UAB (April 2), LSU (April 6), SE Louisiana (April 9), Tennessee (April 13), Southern Miss (April 16), Mississippi State (April 19 - game one), Mississippi State (April 19 - game two), South Alabama (April 23) and Auburn (April 25). The Tide has left the bases loaded at least once in eight of its last 14 games.

ONE-RUN GAMES: Alabama has compiled a 115-95 (.548) record in 210 one-run games under Wells. The Tide is 5-7 (.417) this season in one-run games. Alabama posted a 5-8 record in one-run games last season. Overall, Wells coached teams are 151-117 (.563) in 268 one-run games. He was 38-23 (.623) in one-run games at Northwestern State.

EXTRA INNINGS: Alabama is 65-62-3 (.511) in extra inning games. The Tide is 22-25 (.468) in extra inning games under Wells, including a 1-3 (.250) this season. UA went 3-0 in extra innings games during the 2000 season. The Tide was 3-4 (.429) in extra innings games in 2006 and 2007. Since 2004, Alabama is 8-15 (.348) in extra inning games.

ERRORS: Alabama leads the SEC with 83 errors (.957) in 50 games this season. The Crimson Tide is on pace to make 93 errors this season, which would be the sixth-most errors in school history. The school record for errors in a season is 130 set by the 1986 club. Four other teams have made 100 errors in a season, including 1975 (120), 2000 (108), 1991 (108) and 1985 (101). Alabama has played better defense in SEC games, fielding .966 (30 errors) in 24 conference games. The Tide is seventh in the SEC in fielding and sixth in fewest errors made in league play. Alabama made 10 of the 19 errors in three SEC games, including four against Vanderbilt (March 22) and three in each game of a double header at Tennessee (April 12). The Crimson Tide has played nine error-less games this season, most recently against Auburn (April 27) and is 6-3 (.667) when playing error-less baseball. Alabama has made at least one error in 41 of 50 games and has 25 multiple error games this year. The Crimson Tide recorded a season-high six errors in a 12-8 loss at Texas Arlington on March 1. Alabama also made four errors in a game four times this season against Cal Poly (Feb. 23), New Orleans (March 18 and March 19) and Vanderbilt (March 22). Junior infielder Jeff Texada leads the team with 10 errors this season. Rutledge has eight errors and Wilson has seven errors.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT: Alabama batters have been hit by 71 pitches this season, the second-most in the SEC this season. Kentucky leads the league with 74 hit batters. The Crimson Tide's 71 hit batters are tied for the third most in a season in school history. The 2000 Crimson Tide team was hit 71 times. The 2003 team holds the single-season record with 80 hit batters, while the 2005 team ranks second with 75 hit batters.

Most Hit Batters: 1. 80 (2003); 2. 78 (2005); 3. 71 (2008 and 2000); 5. 59 (2007); 6. 57 (1999); 7. 55 (1998 and 1996); 9. 54 (2006 and 2001).

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT, II: By contrast, Alabama pitchers have hit 43 batters this season, the sixth-highest total in school history. The school record is 62 hit batters held by the 2005 team.

Most Hit Batters: 1. 62 (2005); 2. 51 (2007); 3. 47 (1999); 4. 46 (2001); 5. 44 (2000); 6. 43 (2008);

7. 42 (2002); 8. 37 (2006 and 2003); 10. 36 (1998 and 1991).

WILD PITCHES: Alabama continues to lead the SEC with 54 wild pitches this season. The 54 wild pitches equal the fourth-highest total in school history. The 1993 team also had 54 wild pitches. Ten different pitchers have at least one wild pitch this season. Alabama has four of the SEC's Top 8 wild pitch leaders this season. Graham leads the league with eight, while Hyatt, Stroup and Howell are tied for third place with seven wild pitches. The UA single-season record for wild pitches is 62 set in 1999. Alabama opponents have scored 19 times from third base this season as a result of a wild pitch (12), balk (3) or passed ball (4). Alabama single-season wild pitch leaders: (1) 62 (1999); 2. 61 (1997); 3. 57 (2007); 4. 54 (2008 and 1993); 6. 52 (2000); 7. 49 (2006); 8. 48 (2005); 9. 47 (1991) and 10. 44 (1989 and 1996).

BALKS: The Crimson Tide also leads the SEC with 19 balks this season. Quigley heads the list with an SEC-leading seven balks, while junior RHP Robert Phares and Kebodeaux have three each. Alabama's 19 balks are more than twice as many as Florida's (9) second place total. Alabama opponents have scored three times from third base this season as the result of a balk.

OUTFIELD ASSISTS: Alabama has recorded 14 outfield assists this season, with five different outfielders posting at least one assist. Matthes leads they way with seven outfield assists, which is tied for sixth on the school's single-season charts. Ted Williams (1986), Mike Twardoski (1985) and Ronnie Hardin (1971) hold the single-season record with nine outfield assists. Matthes had three outfield assists in the Auburn series, including a school-record tying two assists in the series opener. He doubled off Auburn's leadoff man at first base in the first inning and then threw out Hunter Morris at home plate to end the seventh inning. His third assist came in game two of the series when he nailed pinch-hitter Ben Jones, who had rounded first base too wide following a two-out hit. Matthes has 16 career outfield assists, which ranks second to Scott McClanahan's school-record 22 assists set from 1999-2002.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: The 2008 Alabama baseball roster contains three seniors, 19 juniors, six sophomores and eight freshmen. The 36 players hail from 10 different states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri and New Jersey.

SOMETHING OLD: The Crimson Tide roster contains 19 veteran players, with the majority of the experience coming from the position players. The Tide returns 11 players who started at least one game last season, including Alex Avila, Matt Bentley, Del Howell, Kent Matthes, Brandon May, Kyle Moore, Tyler Odle, Ryan Rhoden, Jake Smith and Jeff Texada. Alabama returns six experienced pitchers, including Josh Copeland, Austin Graham, Austin Hyatt, Casey Kebodeaux, Miers Quigley and Will Stroup.

SOMETHING NEW: Alabama welcomes 15 newcomers to the 2008 roster, including seven transfers and eight true freshmen. The transfers include pitchers Jarrod Hewes (Faulkner State CC), Jamie Manning (Wallace State CC), Patrick Nappi (Shelton State CC) and Robert Phares (Shelton State CC); catchers Mike Sharp (Kansas CC) and David Woods (Meridian CC); and outfielder Alex Kubal (Gulf Coast CC). The list of true freshmen include pitchers Connor Hoehn, Nathan Kilcrease, Jimmy Nelson and Tyler White and infielders Jon Kelton, Josh Rutledge and Ross Wilson. Freshman pitcher Austin Evans and junior catcher Vin DiFazio both redshirted last year.

FEBRUARY: Alabama posted a 2-3 (.400) record in the month of February, its first losing opening month since 1994. The Tide hit .294 (52-for-177) with 35 runs scored, five home runs and 30 RBI. Rutledge was UA's leading hitter in February with a .391 (9-for-23) with seven runs scored. May hit .368 (7-for-19) with six runs scored, one home run and six RBI. The Tide pitching staff struggled with a 5.11 ERA in the month of February. The staff allowed 35 runs and 45 hits in 40 innings. Hyatt (1-0, 1 SV, 0.82 ERA) allowed one earned run in 11 innings in his two appearances. Stroup (1-0, 1.08 ERA) allowed one earned run and two hits in five innings in the season opener. Alabama fielded .951 (10 errors) in February and turned five double plays. The Tide averaged two errors per game in February. The 10 errors led to 12 unearned runs in the month.

SWDC RECAP: Alabama went 2-1 to win the 2008 Southwest Diamond Classic championship at Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas, on February 28-March 1. The Crimson Tide won its eighth overall regular-season tournament championship with its 8-1 win over DBU on march 1. The other championships include 1951 Rollins College Tournament, 1969 Alabama Classic, 1971 Joe Sewell Classic, 1972 Joe Sewell Classic, 1974 Joe Sewell Classic, 2002 Hormel Foods Classic and 2003 Minute Maid Park College Classic. As a team, the Tide hit .354 (40-for-113) with 24 runs scored, 15 extra base hits (8 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR) and 20 RBI. Alabama averaged eight runs and 13.3 hits per game. On the mound, Alabama was 2-1 with a 5.19 ERA. Hyatt and Stroup were 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA (14.2 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB 16 K) in their two wins against Nevada and DBU.

RUTLEDGE NAMED MVP: Freshman shortstop Josh Rutledge (Cullman, Ala.) was named the 2008 SWDC Most Valuable Player after hitting .643 (9-for-14) in three games with six runs scored, three stolen bases, one triple and one RBI. He also posted a .786 slugging percentage and .600 on-base mark. Rutledge posted back-to-back four-hit games in wins over Nevada (4-for-5, 3 R, 2 SB) and Dallas Baptist (4-for-4, R, 3B, RBI, SB, SFly) going 8-for-9 (.889) in wins over the Wolf Pack and Patriots.

SWDC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: In addition to Rutledge, the 2008 SWDC MVP, Alabama placed four other players on the All-Tournament Team, including junior RHP Austin Hyatt (7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K), junior center fielder Alex Kubal (.625, 5-for-8, 3 R, HR, 3 RBI), junior LHP Will Stroup (7.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K) and freshman second baseman Ross Wilson (.357, 5-for-14, 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI). Sophomore left fielder Brandon May (.456, 5-for-11, R, 3 2B, 2 RBI) also had a stellar tournament but did not make the All-Tournament team.

FOUR-HIT GAMES: Rutledge tallied back-to-back four-hit games against Nevada (Feb. 29) and Dallas Baptist (March 1). He is the first Alabama player to post two straight four-hit games since Matt Downs had back-to-back four-hit games at Tennessee on May 18-19, 2006 in Knoxville. Downs was 4-for-10 (.400) with four RBI in the two wins over UT.

MARCH: Alabama finished the month of March with a 13-9 record, which included six wins in the last seven games to close out the month. Alabama had two six-game winning streaks and one six-game losing streak in the month of March. The Tide hit .293 (222-for-757) in 22 games, with 26 home runs and 136 RBI. Rutledge led the Tide in hitting for the second straight month with a .363 (33-for-91) average with 20 runs scored and 10 RBI. May was the second-leading hitter for the second straight month, with 20 runs scored, one home run and 14 RBI. The pitching staff went 13-9 with a 4.59 ERA with one complete game and four saves. Copeland appeared in nine games and went 1-1 with three saves and 1.35 ERA. Five pitchers won two games for the Tide in March. Alabama posted a .954 fielding percentage (34 errors) and turned 19 double plays in March.

KENTUCKY SERIES RECAP: Alabama suffered a three-game sweep to open SEC play last weekend at No. 4 Kentucky. The Crimson Tide was outscored 27-8 in the three-game series. The series was Kentucky's first over Alabama since 1993 and it was the first sweep since 1992. Alabama had not been swept since the 2006 season when the Tide lost all three games at Arkansas on May 4-6, 2006. Alabama hit .235 (23-for-102) in the UK series with three home runs and seven RBI. May hit .421 (8-for-19) in five games last week with six runs scored, one home run and three RBI. He also walked three times. In the three-game series at Kentucky, May hit .500 (5-for-10) with three runs scored, one home run and one RBI. He hit is first career SEC home run in the third inning of the series opener on March 14. May also compiled a .800 slugging percentage and .615 on-base mark in the series. Avila hit .300 (6-for-20) with five runs scored, four home runs and 10 RBI in five games from March 11-16. Avila hit four home runs in three straight games against UNA, Samford and Kentucky. He hit a pair of three-run home runs and drove in a career-best seven runs in the Tide's 17-2 win at UNA on March 11. He finished the week with a .950 slugging mark. Sophomore LHP Del Howell made his SEC debut on the mound at Kentucky on March 15 and struck out eight batters in five innings, both career highs. Graham made his first career SEC start at Kentucky in the series finale on March 16 and held the Wildcats to five runs and six hits in six innings of work. He also added five strikeouts.

VANDY SERIES RECAP: Alabama won its first series of the 2008 season, taking two of three games from fourth-ranked Vanderbilt at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. After dropping the opener 2-1 to extend its losing streak to six games, Alabama bounced back to take the series by winning the next two games. The Crimson Tide beat the Commodores 9-7 in game two of the series and then posted a lopsided 10-3 series-clinching win in the finale. The Crimson Tide hit .314 (33-for-105) against the Commodores with nine extra base hits, four home runs and 17 RBI. May (6-for-10, 2 R, RBI), Rutledge (7-for-13, 4 R) and Wilson (5-for-13, R, 2B, 2 RBI) were a combined 18-for-33 (.545) in the series with seven runs scored and three RBI. Alabama had a fabulous weekend on the mound after struggling in seven of its last eight starts. The Crimson Tide posted a 2.33 ERA in the three-game series and held the Commodores to a .202 (20-for-92) batting average. All three starters pitched into the eighth inning in the series as the Tide used only four total pitchers on the weekend. Hyatt (9 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) recorded his first career complete game in the series opener with Vanderbilt. Graham (7 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 8 K) recorded his first career SEC and added eight strikeouts in a career-high seven innings in game two of the Vanderbilt series. Junior Robert Phares (7.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K), making his first SEC start, notched his first collegiate win in the Tide's series-clinching victory. Copeland made two relief appearances and retired 10 of the 11 (7 K) batters he faced.

OLE MISS SERIES RECAP: Alabama won its second straight SEC series by taking two of three from No. 15 Ole Miss at Sewell-Thomas Stadium (March 28-30). The story of the weekend for both teams was pitching, as both teams hit less than .280 in a three-game series and combined for 22 runs. Bentley was the offensive star in the Tide's 6-5 series-opening win, swatting two home runs of Lance Lynn and Scott Bittle. Bentley capped an incredible 11-pitch at-bat with a solo home run to right center field off Lynn in the sixth inning as UA took a 5-3 lead. He homered again in the eighth off Bittle to give the Tide a 6-5 lead. The home runs by Bentley are the home runs allowed by Lynn and Bittle this season. Copeland earned the win with 2 2/3 innings of relief as Ole Miss stranded seven base runners in the final three innings. The second game of the series was suspended in the third inning due to rain and lightning and resumed on Sunday with the Rebels holding a 3-2 lead. The Crimson Tide came back took the series with a 5-3 come-from-behind win in game two. Kubal and Rutledge had back-to-back two-out hits in the sixth to give the Tide the lead for good. Smith added an RBI single in the seventh for a key insurance run. Alabama missed a chance at a sweep, losing the series finale, 2-1, in nine innings. Ole Miss scored single runs in the first and ninth innings, as Logan Power plated the game-winner for the Rebels. The Crimson Tide managed only four hits and seven base runners, but left the winning run at second base when UM left fielder Fuller Smith's diving catch robbed Avila of a game-winning hit in the eighth inning. Phares pitched into the ninth inning for Alabama in his second career SEC start.

LSU SERIES RECAP: Alabama dropped two of three games at LSU in the Crimson Tide's final appearance at venerable Alex Box Stadium. LSU will be moving into its new baseball home in 2009. A trio of Tiger pitchers Blake Martin, Jared Bradford and Daniel Bradshaw combined for a five-hit shutout in the series opener to extend LSU's scoreless streak to 27 innings. The Crimson Tide was shut out for the first time since a 6-0 loss to Arkansas in 2007 SEC Tournament at Regions Park. The last time Alabama was shut out in an SEC road game was a 3-0 loss to Vanderbilt and David Price on April 6, 2007. It was UA's first shutout in Alex Box Stadium since a 3-0 loss in 2002. The 3-0 loss marked the fifth time Alabama has been shut out in Alex Box Stadium since the park opened in 1938. Alabama won game two, 6-5, in 11 innings as Odle's squeeze bunt scored Kubal with the winning run. Copeland threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. He struck out five LSU batters and walked six in the win. In all, Alabama pitchers issued 11 walks in the game and not one LSU batter who walked scored a run. Alabama (11) and LSU (14) stranded 25 bases runners in the game. LSU rallied from a three-run deficit in the sixth-inning to post a 9-7 win. Trailing 7-4 in the sixth, LSU got three runs in the sixth and added one in the seventh and one in the eight for the win.

Alabama has lost its last six series in Baton Rouge and has not won a series since posting back-to-back series win in 1995-96. May went 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in the series finale. Smith hit a two-run home run.

STREAK BUSTERS: Alabama has stopped three double-digit hitting streaks this season. On March 28, Hyatt and Copeland halted Ole Miss 3B Cody Overbeck's SEC-leading 24-game hitting streak. Overbeck went 0-for-5 in the series opener against the Tide. On April 2, junior RHP Casey Kebodeaux and a trio of freshman RHPs Nathan Kilcrease, Jimmy Nelson and Connor Hoehn snapped UAB first baseman Ryan Keedy's 19-game hitting streak at Regions Park. Keedy was 0-for-3 with two walks against the Tide. On April 12, Hyatt, Stroup, Graham and Copeland snapped Tennessee left fielder Shawn Griffin's 10-game hitting streak. Griffin was 0-for-5 and made the final out of the game, stranding the tying run at third base.

TENNESSEE RECAP: Alabama dropped two of three at Tennessee (April 12-13), losing its third consecutive road series of the 2008 season. The Crimson Tide hit .322 (37-for-115) in the series with seven home runs and 19 RBI. The seven home runs were the most in an SEC series since the Tide belted seven at LSU during the 2006 season. After a rain out on Friday night, the Tide and Vols played a day-night double header on Saturday, April 12. Alabama won a slugfest, 11-10, in the opener and hit four home runs in the process. Smith, May, Bentley and Sharp all homered in the win, with Bentley and Sharp hitting back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning that put the Tide ahead to stay. The Tide fell 13-5 in game two as UT blew open a close game with a seven-run, sixth inning, highlighted by Kentrail Davis' three-run home run. UT lefty Bryan Morgado (7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 10 K) was too much for the Tide on the mound. The Tide let one slip away in the series finale, falling 6-4. The Tide took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning, but 12 men left on base doomed the Tide. Alabama left the bases loaded in the fifth and seventh innings and had two runners thrown out at home. UT left fielder Shawn Griffin hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning for the win.

Ross Wilson TIES HOME RUN RECORD: Wilson tied an Alabama single game record with two home runs in the seventh inning against Mississippi State on April 19. Wilson led the Crimson Tide's eight-run seventh inning with a solo home run off MSU reliever Forrest Moore. After the Tide batted around, Wilson hit a two-run home run off a second MSU relief pitcher Greg Houston, a former teammate of Wilson's as Hoover (Ala.) High School, to cap the eight-run inning. Wilson become the fourth player in school history to swat two home runs in an inning, joining Frank Velleggia (vs. Columbus State, 1983), Joe Caruso (vs. UAB, 1996) and G.W. Keller (vs. Niagara, 1999).

WILSON NAMED SEC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Wilson was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after leading the Crimson Tide to an SEC Western Division series win over long-time rival Mississippi State over the weekend at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Wilson was Alabama's leading hitter against Mississippi State, going 4-for-9 (.444) with three home runs and five RBI. He also scored five runs, added four walks and posted a 1.444 slugging percentage with 13 total bases in the series. He tied the Alabama single-game record with two home runs in the seventh inning in the series opener against MSU. He led off the inning with a solo home run off Forest Moore and capped the inning with a two-run home run off former Hoover High School teammate Greg Houston. Wilson hit a game-winning two-run home run in the seventh inning in the series finale as Alabama claimed the series with a 4-3 win. For the season, Wilson is hitting .251 (42-for-167) with six home runs and 28 RBI in 40 starts for the Tide.

MISSISSIPPI STATE SERIES RECAP: Alabama won its third SEC home series of the season and sixth in-a-row dating back to last year, by taking two of three from long-time SEC Western Division rival Mississippi State at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Crimson Tide hit .304 in the series with five home runs and 24 RBI. Alabama posted a resounding 21-7 win in the series opener, scoring six runs in the fourth inning and blowing the game open with eight runs in the seventh inning. The Tide hit four home runs in the series opener to match its season high. Avila, Wilson and Howell all homered in the win. Avila's three-run home run capped the six-run fourth inning. Wilson tied an Alabama record with two home runs in the seventh inning off two different pitchers. Howell added a seventh-inning grand slam, the first of his career. Alabama's 21 runs in the series opener marked the third time in series history the Tide had scored 20 runs against the Bulldogs and were the second-most runs scored by UA in series history. UA beat MSU 29-10 in 1943 for the most runs scored in series history. Alabama also beat Mississippi State 20-1 in 1946. The Bulldogs bounced back to win the second game of Saturday's double header 6-4. MSU erased a 4-1 deficit by scoring two runs in the sixth and seventh innings. The Crimson Tide won the series with a 4-3 victory in Sunday's rubber game. Wilson hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning off Michael Busby to win the game. It was one of only five hits by the Tide offense in the series finale. Wilson hit three home runs in the series to double his season total to six homers. Sophomore RHP Austin Graham pitched three scoreless innings for the win in relief. Mississippi State hit .333 (37-for-111) in the series and all 11 extra base hits were doubles. The Bulldogs had at least one base runner in all 27 innings, but left 38 men on base in the three-game set.

APRIL RECAP: Alabama posted an 11-9 (.550) record in the moth of April to complete its 11th winning record in the month under Coach Wells. Alabama closed the month by winning five of its last seven games, including a three-game winning streak. The Tide hit .321 (228 for 711) with 25 home runs and 131 RBI. UA outscored its opponents, 148-120. The Tide went 4-2 in one-run games in April. The pitching staff went 11-9 with one shutout, four saves and 4.73 ERA in April. The Crimson Tide made 29 errors in 20 games. Alabama went 2-2 in SEC series in the month of April, including home series wins over Mississippi State and Auburn. Ross Wilson hit five home runs an drove in nine runs in 19 games.

RUTLEDGE NAMED SEC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Rutledge was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after sterling performance for the Crimson Tide last week against arch-rival Auburn, the league office announced on Monday, April 28. Rutledge had a monster week at the plate for Alabama as he hit .524 (11 for 21) with one double, one triple, four RBI and seven runs scored. He compiled a .600 on-base mark and a .667 slugging percentage in five games last week. He also posted three multi-hit games over that span. In a three-game series with arch-rival Auburn, Rutledge hit .727 (8 for 11) with four runs scored and reached base via one double, one triple, two runs batted in, two walks and one hit by pitch. He tallied an on-base percentage of .800 and posted a slugging percentage of 1.000 while leading Alabama to its seventh straight home series win. He was 3-for-4 with two runs scored in the series opener with the Tigers, including a triple and run scored in first inning. He went 1-for-2 with one run scored, one walk and one hit by pitch in game two of the series. The Cullman, Ala., native capped the weekend with a 4-for-5 performance on Sunday with one run scored and two RBI. It was Rutledge's third four-hit game of the season, tying Brandon May for the most on the team.

AUBURN SERIES RECAP: Alabama won its seventh straight SEC home series as the Tide took two of three from arch-rival Auburn, April 25-27, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Crimson Tide hit .342 (38 for 111) in the series with four home runs and 23 RBI. Alabama averaged 8.67 runs and 12.67 hits per game against Auburn. The Crimson Tide hit four home runs, including three in-a-row in the seventh inning, to cruise to a 17-7 series-clinching win in the finale. Rutledge and sophomore third baseman Jake Smith had four hits each to lead the Tide's 21-hit attack. Avila added three hits and senior first baseman Matt Bentley cracked two home runs and drove in a career-high six runs. Alabama scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to even the series with a 5-4 win on Saturday in front of the fourth-largest paid crowd (6,459) in stadium history. Junior Tyler Odle had a pinch-hit single and May added an RBI single to right in the inning. Junior right fielder Kent Matthes had a two-run double in the first inning and turned in a highlight-reel catch to rob AU's Joseph Sanders of a home run in the fourth inning. Senior Josh Copeland (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) was the winning pitcher, while sophomore Austin Graham (2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K) earned his first career save. Auburn's Michael Hurst (0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER) suffered the loss. Auburn used a four-run sixth inning, including Brian Fletcher's three-run home run, to beat Alabama, 5-4, in the opener. Grant Dayton (5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) earned the win on the mound, while Bryan Woodall notched his 10th save of the year. Rutledge had three hits to lead the Alabama offense, while freshman second baseman Ross Wilson and junior first baseman Wes Henderson added two hits each. Avila knocked in two runs with a bases loaded single in the fifth inning. Junior Miers Quigley (5.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) took the loss.

IN-STATE SCHOOLS: Alabama holds a 496-246 (.668) record against teams from the state of Alabama. The Samford game (April 23) ended a stretch of five straight games against in-state foes. Coach Wells is 111-49 (.694) in his career against in-state schools.

STATE CHAMPIONS: Alabama posted a 9-4 (.692) record against in-state teams this season, including at least one win against six of the seven schools it played. Alabama posted two wins over Jacksonville State, Auburn and Samford to earn series wins. The Tide also defeated North Alabama in the lone meeting in March. Alabama split two-game series with Troy and UAB and dropped its only meeting with South Alabama. Alabama hit .312 (143 for 458) against in-state schools with 18 home runs and 98 RBI. The pitching staff went 9-4 with one complete game, one shutout, four saves and 4.01 ERA this season.

FIRST-TIME OPPONENTS: Alabama will meet four first-time opponents this season, including Cal Poly, Texas-Arlington, Dallas Baptist and Youngstown State. All of those meetings will come in the first 11 games of the 2008 season.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: The 2008 Alabama baseball schedule features 11 team's that have won at least one football national championship. Alabama has 12 football national championships to its credit. Including Alabama, the 12 teams have combined to win 31 football national titles. There are five Football Bowl Championship teams that have won at least Associated Press or BCS National Championship, including Auburn (1957), Florida (1996 and 2006), Georgia (1980), LSU (1959, 2003 and 2007) and Tennessee (1998). The other six schools have won national championships at the Football Subdivision (formerly I-AA) and Division II levels, including Cal Poly (1980), Jacksonville State (1992), North Alabama (1993, 1994 and 1995), Troy (1984 and 1987) and Youngstown State (1991, 1993, 1994 and 1997). In addition, four UA opponents have one at least one baseball national championship, including Cal Poly (1989), Jacksonville State (1990-91), LSU (1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2000) and Troy (1986 and 1987). Those four teams have accounted for 10 baseball national titles.

CELEBRATIONS: The Crimson Tide baseball team will host three reunions this season at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Alabama welcomes back to campus the 1983 College World Series runner-up, March 7-9, when the Crimson Tide hosts Youngstown State. The 1983 CWS team will celebrate its 25th anniversary this season. Alabama will celebrate the 60th birthday of "The Joe" on Friday, March 21, when the Crimson Tide opens SEC play against the defending SEC Champion Vanderbilt Commodores. The celebration will include a large birthday cake and party favors for Tide fans, along with the return of all former baseball lettermen for the game. One former player, representing each decade of "The Joe's" existence will throw out the first pitch. The final celebration will take place April 25-27, when the Crimson Tide hosts the Auburn Tigers. The Crimson Tide will honor the 1968 team that weekend as the SEC Champions hold their 40th reunion in Tuscaloosa.

ALABAMA'S PRO PLAYERS: Thirteen former University of Alabama baseball players made their 2008 season debuts when professional baseball opened its season on Thursday, April 3, 2008. Former All-American and left-hander Taylor Tankersley was the only UA player to open the season in the Major Leagues as he began his third season in the Florida Marlins bullpen. Since then, Tankersely has been joined by another former All-American Lance Cormier, who earned a promotion to the Baltimore Orioles on May 3, 2008. Cormier began the season with Triple-A Norfolk (Vir.) Tides in the International League, but was 1-1 with a 0.98 ERA in nine appearances at the time of his promotion. He had logged 11 consecutive scoreless innings for the Tides, dating back to April 16, when the Orioles purchased his contract. Another former pitcher made the move to Triple-A on May 3, 2008 as the New York Yankees promoted David Robertson to the Columbus (Ohio) Clippers of the International League. Robertson began the year at Double-A Trenton (N.J.) Thunder. He played in low-A, high-A and Double-A last season and finished the year with more any innings pitched than any other professional pitcher not to allow a home run in 2007. He is also on the fast track to the big leagues with the Yankees. The Crimson Tide now has five former players at the Triple-A level, including Wade LeBlanc, Adam Pavkovich, Andy Phillips, Paul Phillips and Robertson. Three of those Triple-A players are in the International League, including Andy Phillips (Louisville Bats), Paul Phillips (Charlotte Knights) and Robertson (Columbus Clippers). The other two players - LeBlanc and Pavkovich are in the Pacific Coast League. LeBlanc opened the year with the Portland (Ore.) Beavers, while Pavkovich is back for his third season with the Salt Lake (Utah) Bees. Phillips was on the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster this spring and was one of the last players sent to Louisville. LeBlanc is on the fast-track to the big-leagues in just his second full season with the San Diego Padres. He was mentioned this spring by manager Bud Black as the Padres potential No. 5 starter, but will begin the year in Triple-A. The Crimson Tide has six players at the Single-A level, including Matt Downs, Tommy Hunter, Cale Iorg, T.J. Large, Greg Paiml and Emeel Salem. Hunter, Paiml and Salem began their first full season of pro ball on April 4. Hunter, a supplemental first-round pick by the Texas Rangers in June, 2007, was the opening day starter for the Bakersfield Blaze in the California League. Downs (San Jose Giants) and Large (Lancaster Jethawks) also play in the California League. Iorg, who was taken in the sixth round last season by the Detroit Tigers, opened the 2007 season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers in the Florida State League. Paiml (Kannapolis Intimidators) and Salem (Columbus Catfish) are both in the South Atlantic League.

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