Alabama Meets UAB at Hoover Met Wednesday Night
4/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Game 35: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE AT UAB BLAZERS
The HOOVER MET -- HOOVER, ALABAMA -- 7:06 PM
APRIL 14, 2004 -- UA IS 25-8 (.757) ALL-TIME AT THE MET
Date Game Time Radio/TV
Apr 14 vs. UAB (Hoover Met) 7:06 PM CTSN, WRTR-FM (105.5), CSS-TV
Apr 16 vs. Auburn 6:30 PM CTSN, WRTR-FM (105.5), WEB-TV
Apr 17 vs. Auburn 4 PM CTSN, WRTR-FM (105.5), WEB-TV
Apr 18 vs. Auburn 2:06 PM CTSN, WRTR-FM (105.5), CSS-TV
ON THE MOUND: UA - 24 Andrew Walker (RH, 9 G, 2-0, 2.80) vs. UAB - To Be Announced
RADIO: The games will be aired locally on WRTR-FM (105.5) or WACT-AM (1420) in Tuscaloosa. David Crane and Chris Stewart will broadcast the UAB game on WRTR-FM (105.5) and the network. Comcast Sports Southeast will televise the game to a regional audience, with Matt Stewart and Matt Coulter calling the action.
INTERNET BROADCAST: Live stats (home games only) and audio broadcasts can be found at http://www.rolltide.com/
TICKETS: Single-game tickets and standing-room only tickets are available for $5 each and the gates will open two hours prior to each game. Tickets to the UAB are $6 in advance and $8 at the Hoover Met on Wednesday. There will be a $3 charge for parking. Tickets may be purchased through UAB (205.975.UAB1) or Southtix (205.933.1280).
BAMA BASEBALL GEARS UP FOR RIVALRY WEEK
The Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team plays four games this week against in-state rivals, beginning with the UAB Blazers at the Hoover Met. The Alabama-UAB game is set for 7:06 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14. Rivalry week continues this weekend as the Crimson Tide plays host to the Auburn Tigers in a three-game series at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, beginning with Friday's (April 16) series opener at 6:30 p.m. The Crimson Tide defeated the Blazers 5-3 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium on Mar. 3. Mark Haske (2-for-4, R, RBI) and Evan Bush (2-for-4, 2 R, HR, RBI) had two hits each to lead the Crimson Tide's 11-hit attack. Bush's solo home run in the fourth inning gave UA the lead for good at 3-2. Jeffrey Norris (5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) earned the win, while Seth Johnson (0.2 IP, 2 H, BB, K) notched the save. Alabama has compiled a 25-8 (.757) all-time record here at the Hoover Met, including back-to-back SEC Tournament championships in 2002-03. Overall, Alabama has won four SEC Tournament titles here at the Hoover Met. The UAB game marks the first regular season appearance by Alabama here at the Met since dropping a 10-2 decision to UAB on April 9, 1997. The Crimson Tide and Blazers have split four games here at the Met, with UAB winning the last meeting (10-2) in 1997. Bama's first-ever game at the Hoover Met was a 14-3 win over UAB during the 1989 season.
THE RECORDS
Alabama (21-13, 4-8 SEC) continues to struggle in SEC play, losing its fourth series of the year this past weekend against Vanderbilt. Since March 17, Alabama is 7-9 (.438) in its last 16 games. UAB (14-17, 2-9 C-USA) brings an eight-game losing streak into the Alabama game. UAB opened the season by winning 10 of its first 12 games, but since Mar. 9 has lost 14 of its last 18 games.
THE COACHES
Alabama's Jim Wells is in his 10th season with the Crimson Tide program. He has compiled a 430-189 (.696) record at the helm of the Crimson Tide. Overall, Wells is 622-278 (.692) in 15 seasons at Northwestern State and Alabama. UAB coach Larry Giangrosso has compiled a 110-155 (.415) record in his sixth year at UAB.
NEXT GAME
Alabama hosts the Auburn Tigers in a three-game SEC series this weekend, beginning Friday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m.
UAB SERIES
Alabama leads the all-time series with UAB, 32-12 (.727), including a series sweep last year. In fact, Alabama has won the last four meetings with UAB.
*UAB has not beaten Alabama since the 2001 season when the Blazers pulled off back-to-back wins over Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.
*The Alabama-UAB series began in 1974 with the Crimson Tide sweeping the four games played that season.
*Alabama has compiled a 19-4 (.826) all-time record in Tuscaloosa against UAB.
*The Crimson Tide has a modest three-game home winning streak against the Blazers, but have outscored UAB 25-5 in those three wins.
*Alabama is 16-5 (.761) against UAB here in Birmingham, including a 1-2 (.333) mark here at the Hoover Met.
*Alabama head coach Jim Wells is 12-5 (.706) in his career against UAB.
*UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso is 2-7 (.277) in his career against Alabama.
BAMA VS. CONFERENCE USA
Alabama owns a 190-76 (.714) all-time record against teams from Conference USA.
*Alabama is 5-0 (1.000) against the league this season, having swept a three-game series from Cincinnati (Feb. 20-22) and beaten UAB (Mar. 3) and Southern Miss (Mar. 10) earlier this season.
*The league was formed in 1995-96 and since that time, Alabama is 27-7 (.794) against member schools.
*Since the formation of the league, Alabama has faced Southern Miss (11-0), UAB (9-4), Houston (4-2), Cincinnati (3-0) and Tulane (0-1).
SCOUTING REPORT: UAB
UAB brings a 14-17 record into Wednesday's game at the Hoover Met. The Blazers have lost 15 of their last 22 games, including a three-game sweep at Memphis this past weekend.
*On offense, the Blazers are batting .272 (294-for-1,082) through 31 games with 19 home runs and 157 RBI. UAB averages 5.5 runs and 9.5 hits per game this season.
*Senior outfielder Sam Clark is the leading hitter for UAB. In 29 games, Clark is hitting .306 (30-for-98) with three home runs and 15 RBI this season.
*Junior catcher Eugene Rodriguez is the second-leading hitter with a .296 (24-for-71) average in 26 games this season.
*Junior Nathan McCorkle (29 G, .280, 28-for-100) leads the club with four home runs this season.
*The leading run-producer is junior transfer Cole Helms (.284, HR, 23 RBI), who played last season at Tennessee Tech.
*The UAB pitching staff has compiled a 14-17 with a 4.80 ERA (281.1 IP, 289 H, 178 R, 150 ER, 138 BB, 230 K) this season.
*The bullpen is anchored by junior Eric Roberts (19 G, 2-2, 3.38 ERA), who leads the Blazers in appearances, ERA and saves (2) this season. In 37 1/3 innings, he has allowed 29 hits, 19 runs, 14 earned runs, 13 walks and 41 strikeouts.
ALABAMA-AUBURN SERIES
Alabama and Auburn first met on the diamond in 1896 and have staged some classic battles in the series 230-game history. Since that first meeting, Alabama has posted a 130-105 (.553) series edge and has won six of the last nine series with Auburn.
*Alabama won the overall series last year, three games to two, including a pair of wins in the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met.
*Auburn took two of three at Plainsman Park to win the regular-season series.
*Unlike the football series, the home team has dominated the UA-AU baseball series, winning 10 of the last 11 games played.
*Dating back to 1998, the home team has posted a 15-4 (.789) record in the Alabama-Auburn series.
*Alabama is the last road team to win a series, taking two of three at Auburn in 1997.
*Auburn has not won a series here in Tuscaloosa since 1994.
*The home team has also won the last six series, with Alabama being the last road team to win a series in 1997.
*Alabama has won four straight home series with Auburn, dating back to 1994.
*The home team has won seven of the last eight regular-season series.
*The Crimson Tide also brings a five-game home winning streak into the weekend series over Auburn. The Tigers last win here in Tuscaloosa came during the 2000 season.
*Alabama won all four games played here in 2002, including a 6-3 elimination game at the NCAA Regional.
*Alabama swept the 2002 series here at the Joe.
*Brent Boyd's walk-off, two-run homer lifted Alabama to a 6-5 win in game two of the series.
*Scott McClanahan threw out an Auburn base runner at the plate in the top of the 7th inning then capped the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning as UA posted a 7-0 win.
*Alabama head coach Jim Wells is 10-2 (.833) at home in his career against Auburn.
Alabama-Auburn Series File
at Tuscaloosa: UA leads, 70-37 (.654)
at Auburn: AU leads, 52-38 (.578)
Neutral Sites: UA leads, 23-16 (.590)
Wells vs. AU: 22-15 (.594)
Renfroe vs. UA: 5- 7 (.417)
UA Win Streak: 12 (1907-51)
AU Win Streak: 9 (1978-79)
Last Series Sweep
at Tusc. at Aub.
UA 2002 1983
AU 1976 2001
TIDE-TIGER TIDBITS
Here are some notebook items concerning the Alabama-Auburn baseball teams.
*Alabama sophomore pitcher Allen Ponder is a native of Auburn and attended Lee-Scott Academy.
*Ponder's sister, Christen, is a recent graduate of Auburn University and was a member of the Auburn University Marching Band. She played the saxophone.
*Alabama second baseman Allen Rice and Auburn pitcher Lee Carter were teammates for coach Mike O'Berry at Pelham High School.
BAMA AT THE HOOVER MET
Alabama has compiled an all-time record of 25-8 (.756) here at the Hoover Met. The Crimson Tide's first game at the Met was a 14-3 win over UAB in 1989.
*Alabama has dominated the SEC Tournament scene here at the Hoover Met, winning post-season titles in 1996, 1999, 2002 and 2003.
*The Crimson Tide has a six-game winning streak here at the Hoover Met, dating back to the 2002 SEC Tournament. Alabama has won two straight SEC post-season titles.
21 UP, 13 DOWN
Alabama has compiled an 21-13 (.618) record through 34 games of the 2004 season. Here is how the Crimson Tide fares in its 21 wins and 13 losses.
*In its 21 wins this season the Alabama Crimson Tide has:
*Hit .319 (224-for-703) with 17 home runs and 166 RBI
*Averaged 8.67 runs and 10.67 hits per game
*Compiled a 1.57 ERA (189 IP, 136 H, 176 K)
*Committed 23 errors in those 21 games
*In its 13 losses this season the Alabama Crimson Tide has:
*Hit .207 (89-for-429) with six home runs and 30 RBI
*Averaged runs 2.78 runs and 6.85 hits per game
*Compiled a 4.91 ERA (110 IP, 126 H, 114 K)
*Committed 15 errors in 13 losses
SCHEDULE GETTING TOUGHER
As the season rolls into conference play, the competition gets tougher for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team.
*Playing in the toughest baseball conference in the nation, Alabama embarks on a 30-game league schedule that features eight teams ranked in this week's four baseball polls.
*Overall, Alabama has had 12 of its opponents ranked in at least one of the four major polls during the 2004 season.
*Alabama has eight of its 2004 opponents currently ranked in one of the four major polls, including Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Vanderblt, Auburn, South Carolina, LSU and Florida.
*Four other teams have been ranked at some point during the season, including Kansas State, Birmingham Southern, Georgia and Miss. State.
*LSU, Ole Miss and South Carolina are ranked in the Top 10 this season.
*Alabama lost two of three on the road to No. 35 Georgia (Mar. 19-21) to open SEC play.
*The Crimson Tide has alrso dropped back-to-back home series to No. 5 Ole Miss (Mar. 26-28) and No. 25 Vanderbilt (April 9-11).
*Alabama plays at both South Carolina (April 23-25) and LSU (April 30-May 2) this season in back-to-back weekends in April and May.
TOUGH STRETCH
Alabama is in the midst of playing five consecutive ranked SEC opponents, including two of those series in the road in consecutive weekends.
*The stretch began last week when Alabama hosted No. 25 Vanderbilt here in Tuscaloosa. The Commodores won the series, two games to one, but both wins were by one run and UA had the tying or winning runs on base when the games ended.
*Alabama will arch-rival and No. 12 Auburn this weekend at the Joe.
*After the Auburn series, Alabama will face South Carolina and LSU in back-to-back road series before returning home to play the Florida Gators.
SEC SLUMP
Alabama has lost seven straight Southeastern Conference series for the first time in the Jim Wells era.
*The seven straight series losses are the most by Alabama since the 1993-94 seasons, when UA dropped nine straight league series.
*The Crimson Tide closed out the 1993 season by losing the final series at Auburn and then lost all eight SEC series in 1994, the final season for coach Dr. Barry Shollenberger.
*Alabama has also lost its first four SEC series this season for the first time since 1994.
*In 1994, Alabama lost all eight SEC series and set the school futility record for fewest SEC wins (4) and most SEC losses (22).
*Alabama's four straight SEC series losses (in the same season) are a first for a Wells-coached team. The previous high was three straight series losses against Tennessee, Auburn and LSU in 2001 and Tennessee, South Carolina and Miss. State last year.
*Alabama has also lost seven straight Sunday SEC games, dating back to last year. The streak includes losses to Tennessee, South Carolina, Miss. State, Georgia, Ole Miss, Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
SEC SERIES LOSING STREAK
Year Series Results
May 2, 2003 Alabama 6, Tennessee 2
May 3, 2003 Tennessee 10, Alabama 3
May 4, 2003 Tennessee 7, Alabama 4
May 9, 2003 S. Carolina 2, Alabama 1
May 10, 2003 S. Carolina 9, Alabama 6
May 11, 2003 S. Carolina 5, Alabama 1
May 16, 2003 Miss. State 11, Alabama 8
May 17, 2003 Alabama 15, Miss. State 7
May 18, 2003 Miss. State 9, Alabama 1
March 19, 2004 Georgia 5, Alabama 4
March 20, 2004 Alabama 7, Georgia 5
March 21, 2004 Georgia 7, Alabama 5
March 26, 2004 Ole Miss 11, Alabama 1
March 27, 2004 Alabama 2, Ole Miss 1
March 28, 2004 Ole Miss 4, Alabama 2
April 2, 2004 Alabama 6, Arkansas 3
April 3, 2004 Arkansas 7, Alabama 2
April 4, 2004 Arkansas 11, Alabama 6
April 9, 2004 Vanderbilt 6, Alabama 4
April 10, 2004 Alabama 3, Vanderbilt 1
April 11, 2004 Vanderbilt 3, Alabama 2
CUTTING UP THE OPPOSITION
Alabama recorded a season-high 16 strikeouts in its 20-2 blowout win over Morehead State on Mar. 24. The 16 strikeouts are the second-highest total in the Jim Wells era.
*The highest strikeout total is 17 against Murray State on March 12, 1996 here in Tuscaloosa.
*Alabama has recorded 131 double-figure strikeout games in the Wells era, including 11 this year.
*Junior right-handers Andrew Walker (9) and Eric Mennen (2) combined for 11 strikeouts in the Tide's 10-1 win over Louisiana Tech on April 6th.
*Alabama has recorded double-figure strikeouts in six of its last seven home games. The one exception was against No. 5 Ole Miss on March 27 and LeBlanc struck out eight batters in the complete game win.
*The Crimson Tide struck out Ole Miss All-American Stephen Head four times on Mar. 28.
*Alabama also struck out Georgia freshman phenom Josh Morris four times in a Mar. 19 game at Athens.
*The Crimson Tide's best season was in 1999 when the Tide recorded 23 double digit strikeout games.
2004 Double-Figure Strikeout Games
Opp (Date) Pitchers Total Ks
UNO (Feb. 13) LeBlanc, Belcher 13
UNO (Feb. 14) 6 Pitchers 12
Cincinnati (Feb. 22) 3 Pitchers 10
SEMO (Mar. 13) LeBlanc 10
SEMO (Mar. 14) Belcher, Tankersley 13
BSC (Mar. 17) Walker, Tankersley 13
MSU (Mar 24) Ponder, Mennen 16
Ole Miss (Mar 26) 4 Pitchers 12
Ole Miss (Mar 28) Belcher, Tankersley 15
Arkansas (Apr 2) 3 Pitchers 12
La. Tech (Apr 6) Walker, Mennen 11
Single-Game Strikeouts (Wells Era)
Rank Strikeouts Opponent (Date)
1. 17 Murray State (1996)
2. 16 Morehead State (2004)
16 Centenary (1996)
4. 15 Ole Miss (2004)
15 Rhode Island (2003)
15 Niagara (1999)
15 South Carolina (1999)
15 UAB (1999)
15 Eastern Illinois (1998)
15 Vanderbilt (1996)
15 Vanderbilt (1996)
15 Troy State (1995)
THE JOE
Alabama fans have made Sewell-Thomas Stadium (aka - The Joe) one of zaniest places to watch a college baseball game. Alabama posted the nation's best home record three consecutive years (1997-99), including a school record 37-4 (.902) in 1999. Joe Caruso, an All-American second baseman and fan favorite, added to the lore of the stadium during his four-year career (1994-97) at Alabama. Another ballpark tradition is the playing of "Cotton Eyed Joe" during the middle of the fifth inning. This upbeat song literally has the fans dancing in the aisles as they cheer on their beloved Crimson Tide.
*Alabama led the nation in home wins in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2002.
*The Crimson Tide won a school-record 37 home games in 1999, posting a 37-4 (.902) record at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
*Alabama matched the all-time record with 32 regular-season home wins in 2002, which included a modern day record 27-game winning streak.
*The Crimson Tide went 32-2 (.941) at home during the 2002 regular season and fashioned a 35-4 (.897) overall mark.
*The 1997 (32-3, .914) and 1999 (32-4, .889) teams also won 32 regular season home games.
*Alabama's regular-season home winning percentage (32-2, .941) in 2002 was also the best in school history.
Home Record Under Coach Wells
Year Record (Pct.)
1995 22-10 (.688)
1996 25-9 (.735)
1997 36-3 (.923)
1998 30-3 (.909)
1999 37-4 (.902)
2000 24-10 (.706)
2001 26-9 (.743)
2002 35-4 (.897)
2003 22-11 (.667)
2004 17-5 (.773)
Totals: 274-67 (.804)
*Alabama set the modern day school record with 27 consecutive home wins in 2002.
The streak began with a 17-0 win over Jacksonville State on May 1, 2001 as Alabama won the final four home games of the 2001 season.
*The Crimson Tide extended that streak by winning its first 23 home games in 2002. The school-record 27-game home winning streak came to an end on April 19, 2002 when Ole Miss handed Alabama a 4-3 loss.
*The previous school record was a 24-game winning streak (Apr 21, 1996-Mar. 8, 1997).
*Alabama had a 13-game home winning streak earlier this season. The began with a 12-11 comeback win over New Orleans on Feb. 15 and ended with an 11-1 loss to Ole Miss on March 26.
Most Recent Home Winning Streaks
Rank Strk Date
1. 27 5-1-01/4-17-02
2. 24 4-21-96/3-8-97
3. 16 2-27/4-3-99
4. 15 4-17-99/2-11-00
5. 13 Feb. 15-Mar. 24, 2003
BAMA AT HOME
*Alabama is 17-5 (.773) at home this season, suffering a loss to New Orleans and SEC series losses to No. 5 Ole Miss and No. 25 Vanderbilt.
*The Crimson Tide posted a 13-game home winning streak from Feb. 15-March 24, the fifth longest streak in the modern era of baseball.
*Since that 13-game home winning streak, Alabama has lost four of its last seven home games, including back-to-back SEC series to Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
*In 22 home games this season, Alabama is batting .297 (217-for-730) with with 17 home runs and 143 RBI.
*Bama is averaging 7.09 runs and 9.86 hits per game at the Joe this year.
*On the mound, Alabama is 17-5 with a 2.00 ERA.
*The staff has worked 198.0 innings and allowed only 148 hits, 61 runs, 44 earned runs and walked 59 and struck out 204 batters.
*Alabama also has three complete games, three shutouts and six saves at home this season.
2004 HOME BATTING LEADERS
Player Stats
Allen Rice, INF .397, 1 HR, 15 RBI
Carlos Sosa, DH .371, 3 HR, 23 RBI
Zac Welch, 1B .328, 4 HR, 20 RBI
Rocky Scelfo, INF .324, 1 HR, 13 RBI
Evan Bush, INF/OF .299, 3 HR, 12 RBI
2004 HOME PITCHING LEADERS
Player Stats
Seth Johnson 8 G, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 SV
17.1 IP, 11 H, 12 K
Taylor Tankersley 5 G, 1-1, 0.92 ERA, 1 SV
19.2 IP, 12 H, 2 ER, 21 K
Wade LeBlanc 6 GS, 4-1, 1.30 ERA
48.1 IP, 46 K, 4 CG
*Last year, Alabama compiled a 22-11 (.667) at the Joe, suffering some uncharacteristic losses to Rhode Island, West Alabama, Samford and Jax State.
*The 11 home losses were the most in the Jim Wells era.
*Alabama also entered the 2004 season with a five-game home losing streak, the longest in the Wells era. UA closed out the 2003 season by losing its last five home games to Samford, South Carolina (3) and Jacksonville State.
*Alabama lost nearly as many home games last year (11) as it did in the two previous seasons (13) combined.
*Alabama has won 64 of 74 weekend series at home under coach Wells since 1995.
*Dating back to the 2001 season, Alabama has won 17 of its last 22 home weekend series.
*Dating back to the 2002 season, Alabama has swept six of its last 12 SEC home series.
*From 1996-2000, Alabama won 29 consecutive three-game series here at home, including 18 straight in SEC play.
Alabama Home Series (Since 1995)
Year Series Won-Lost
1995 7 5-2
1996 7 6-1
1997 8 8-0
1998 7 7-0
1999 8 8-0
2000 8 7-1
2001 8 6-2
2002 8 7-1
2003 8 6-2
2004 6 4-2
SEC Series Results (Since 1995)
Year SEC Series Record
1995 5-3
1996 9-1
1997 8-2
1998 8-2
1999 7-3
2000 6-4
2001 5-5
2002 6-4
2003 3-5
2004 0-2
EARLY INNING STRUGGLES
The Crimson Tide has really struggled in the early innings of its first six SEC home games this season.
*In fact, Alabama did not score run in the first five innings of its first four SEC home games. That streak ended with a first-inning run against Vanderbilt on April 10.
*During the first seven innings of its six SEC home games, Alabama is batting only .194 (27-for-139) with one home run and four RBI.
*Alabama has been outscored 25-5 in the first seven innings in its six SEC home games.
*The Crimson Tide has also been outscored 11-1 in the first three innings of its first six SEC home games.
*The first inning is the only inning in which Alabama is batting over .300 in its six SEC home games. The Crimson Tide is hitting .318 (7-for-22) in the initial inning.
*The next best inning is the fourth inning, where the Tide is batting .280 (7-for-25).
*Alabama has not gotten a hit during the third inning of an SEC home game this season, going 0-for-9 (.000) with two strikeouts.
*The fifth inning has been a sore spot for Alabama this season as the Ole Miss and Vandy outscored UA 11-0 in six games.
LATE INNING RALLIES
While the Crimson Tide offense has pretty much be silent during the first seven innings in its six SEC home games, the eighth and ninth innings have been quite exciting.
*Alabama has one last at-bat win over No. 5 Ole Miss and nearly pulled off two more against No. 25 Vandy, leaving the tying or winning runs on base when the last out was recorded.
*While the Tide is hitting only .194 during the first seven innings during SEC home games, the final two innings are a different story.
*Alabama is batting .432 (19-for-44) in the eighth and ninth innings this season in its six SEC home games.
*The Crimson Tide has scored 10 of its 25 SEC runs in the eighth and ninth innings at home this season.
*In the eighth inning, Alabama is batting .435 (10-for-23) with four runs scored. All four runs came off Jeremy Sowers on April 9 as the Tide nearly erased a six-run deficit in a 6-5 loss.
*In the ninth inning, the Crimson Tide is hitting .429 (9-for-21) with six runs and five RBI.
*Alabama scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat No. 5 Ole Miss 2-1 on Mar. 27.
*Bama scored one run in the ninth inning against Vandy on April 9 to close the gap to 6-5 before leaving the tying run on second base. Freshman Brandon Belcher narrowly missed a game-tying home run with a double off the top of the wall in the ninth inning.
*Trailing 3-0 to Vanderbilt on April 11, Alabama scored two runs and loaded the bases in the ninth before pinch-hitter Matt Downs was robbed of a game-winning, two-run double when VU right-fielder Worth Scott made an over-the-shoulder catch before crashing into the wall and making the spectacular game-saving catch.
PLAYING DEFENSE
Alabama is on pace to become the best defensive team in Alabama baseball history, with just 37 errors in its first 34 games.
*The Crimson Tide is currently fourth in the SEC with a .970 fielding mark.
*The current .970 fielding clip is .001 point less than the all-time Alabama record (.971) held by the 1996 team.
*In fact, only two Alabama teams have fielded better than .970 in a single-season. The 1994 team is second with a .970 fielding clip.
*Alabama's .970 fielding clip is its lowest mark in the last few weeks due a recent rash of errors by the Tide defense.
*After playing errorless baseball in a three-game series at Georgia (Mar. 19-21), Alabama has had at least one error in 11 of its last 12 games.
*During those 12 games, Alabama has made 18 errors (446 chances) for a .960 fielding mark since Mar. 24th.
*Despite the recent struggles, Alabama has ben pretty solid on defense all season and played 11 errorless games this season.
*The Crimson Tide has made one error or less in 22 of its 34 games this season.
*In addition, Alabama did not make an error in the three-game series at Georgia (Mar. 19-21), marking the first time in the Wells era the Crimson Tide played an errorless three-game SEC series.
*The Crimson Tide has had two lengthy errorless streaks this season.
*From Mar. 10-14, Alabama played a season-high 31 1/3 innings without an error over a span of four games.
*From Mar. 17-24, Alabama posted an errorless streak of 30 1/3 innings over four games.
Single-Season Fielding (Wells Era)
Yr Fld% Gms Errors
1995 .965 64 85
1996 .971 69 78
1997 .966 70 93
1998 .963 64 89
1999 .966 69 84
2000 .957 65 109
2001 .968 55 67
2002 .964 66 95
2003 .962 62 88
2004 .970 34 37
APRIL SHOWERS
Alabama has compiled a 115-59 (.661) all-time record under Jim Wells in the month of April.
*The Crimson Tide is 3-4 (.429) this year in April.
*The most wins in the Wells era during the month of April was a 15-2 (.882) ledger in 2002.
*The 2002 team also holds the record for longest April winning streak by a Wells-coached team by winning 10 consecutive games.
*In 1997-98, Alabama went 28-11 (.718) in the month of April, winning 14 games each season.
*The worst April under Wells came in 2001 when the Crimson Tide posted a 7-11 (.389) record, with a three-game losing streak.
Year-By-Year April Record (1995-2004)
Year Record (Pct.)
1995 12-9 (.571)
1996 12-5 (.706)
1997 14-6 (.700)
1998 14-5 (.737)
1999 12-5 (.706)
2000 13-5 (.722)
2001 7-11 (.389)
2002 15-2 (.882)
2003 11-7 (.611)
2004 3-4 (.429)
Totals 115-59 (.661)
TIDE KEEPS SCORING STREAKS ALIVE
Alabama has scored in 115 consecutive games, the fourth longest scoring streak in school history.
*The Crimson Tide has not been shutout since suffering a 5-0 loss at Georgia on May 5, 2002.
*The current streak nearly came to an end on March 26 as the Crimson Tide trailed No. 5 Ole Miss 11-0 with two outs in the ninth inning.
*Thanks to three straight two-out, pinch-hit singles by Ryan Beagle, Gabe Scott and Mark Haske, the Tide's scoring streak lives.
*The streak was tested two more times against Vanderbilt (April 9-11).
*In the series opener, Alabama trailed 6-0 before scoring four runs in the eighth inning. UA scored once in the ninth and left the tying run on second base when the game ended.
*In the series finale, Vanderbilt blanked Alabama for eight innings before the Crimson Tide scored two runs and loaded the bases in the ninth. Vandy RF Worth Scott made an over-the-shoulder catch of sophomore PH Matt Downs deep fly ball to right center field to preserve the win. Scott made the catch, slammed into the wall and landed on his back before showing the ball to the umpire for the game's final out.
*The school record is a 273-game scoring streak from 1996-2000, which at one time was also the SEC record.
*Here is a look at the Tide's longest scoring streaks.
ALL-TIME SCORING STREAKS
Rank Streak Years
1. 273 1996-2000
2. 199 1930-41
3. 125 1988-92
4. 115 2002-Present
5. 109 1922-26
6. 104 1977-79
HOME SCORING STREAK ALIVE
Alabama has also scored in 326 consecutive home games, the longest streak in school history.
*The last time Alabama was shutout at home was April 12, 1995 in a 5-0 loss to UAB here at the Joe.
*In all, Alabama has only been shutout 61 times at home, and not since 1995.
HOME SCORING STREAKS
Rank Streak Years
1. 326 1995-Present
2. 196 1930-47
3. 147 1988-92
4. 145 1982-88
5. 144 1970-75
SEC HOME SCORING STREAK EXTENDED
Thanks to those three straight two-out, pinch-hit singles against No. 5 Ole Miss on March 26, Alabama has also scored in a school record 165 consecutive home SEC games.
*Alabama has not been shutout in a home SEC game since suffering a 10-0 loss to LSU in 1992.
*The Crimson Tide has only suffered 21 home SEC shutouts since the league was formed in 1933, and none since 1992.
HOME SEC SCORING STREAKS
Rank Streak Years
1. 273 1996-2000
2. 199 1930-41
3. 125 1988-92
4. 109 1922-26
5. 104 2002-Present
104 1977-79
