Bama Opens Series Tonight With No. 25 Vanderbilt
4/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Games 32-34: VANDERBILT COMMODORES at ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
SEWELL-THOMAS STADIUM -- TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA -- 6:30 PM
APRIL 9, 2004 -- FIRST OF TWO CONSECUTIVE SEC HOME SERIES
Date Game Time Radio/TV
Apr 9 vs. Vanderbilt 6:30 PM CTSN, WRTR-FM (105.5)
Apr 10 vs. Vanderbilt 4 PM CTSN, WRTR-FM (105.5)
Apr 11 vs. Vanderbilt 2:07 PM CTSN, WRTR-FM (105.5), CSS-TV
ON THE MOUND: UA - 23 Wade LeBlanc (LH, 8 GS, 5-1, 1.62) vs. VU - 10 Jeremy Sowers (LH, 7 GS, 5-1, 2.81)
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 Vanderbilt series on WRTR-FM (105.5) and the network.
INTERNET BROADCAST: Live stats (home games only) and audio broadcasts can be found at http://www.rolltide.com/
TICKETS: Season tickets are available by calling the Alabama Ticket Office (205-348-2262). Single-game tickets and standing-room only tickets are available for $5 each and the gates will open two hours prior to each game.
BAMA HOSTS VANDERBILT IN CRUCIAL SEC SERIES
The Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team in need of a Southeastern Conference series win, hosts the No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores in a three-game SEC series this weekend at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Vanderbilt series marks the first of two straight SEC home weekends for the Crimson Tide. The series opener is set for Friday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. and will feature two of the best left-handed pitchers in the SEC. Alabama freshman phenom Wade LeBlanc will matchup against Vanderbilt ace junior Jeremy Sowers, a former first-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Reds (7th overall, 2001). The series continues with a 4 p.m. game on Saturday and 2:06 p.m. game on Easter Sunday afternoon. The series finale will be televised live by Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS) and can be seen in Tuscaloosa on Comcast Cable channel 29. Alabama has been very successful at the Joe this season, compiling a 16-3 (.842) record in its first 19 games, including a 13-game winning streak from Feb. 15-March 24, 2004. While protecting the home turf as not been a problem for the Crimson Tide this season, winning an SEC series has been very difficult. The Crimson Tide has lost all three SEC series to date, losing two out of three to No. 35 Georgia (Mar. 19-21), No. 5 Ole Miss (Mar. 26-28) and Arkansas (April 2-4). Vanderbilt will mark the third ranked SEC opponent in four weeks to play Alabama. In addition, Vanderbilt will be the first of five consecutive ranked SEC opponents that Alabama will face in the next five weeks of the season.
THE RECORDS
Alabama (20-11, 3-6 SEC) has won three of its last five games, including Tuesday night's 10-1 win over Louisiana Tech here in Tuscaloosa. After beginning the season with a 14-4 overall record, Alabama is just 6-7 (.000) since March 17th. Vanderbilt (22-7, 4-5 SEC) has lost two of its first three SEC series this season. The Commodores were swept at Ole Miss to open the season and then swept Georgia the following week. Last week, Vandy dropped two out of three at home to South Carolina.
THE COACHES
Alabama's Jim Wells is in his 10th season with the Crimson Tide program. He has compiled a 429-187 (.696) record at the helm of the Crimson Tide. Overall, Wells is 621-276 (.692) in 15 seasons at Northwestern State and Alabama. Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin has compiled a 49-35 (.583) record in his second season in Nashville. This is his first head coaching position after spending a number of years as an assistant coach at Clemson.
NEXT GAME
Alabama and Vanderbilt meet in game two of this SEC series on Saturday, April 10 at 4 p.m. The first 1,000 fans will receive a set of 2004 Alabama baseball trading cards.
THE HISTORY OF ALABAMA BASEBALL
The Alabama Crimson Tide is competing in its 111th season of intercollegiate baseball this year. Bama played its very first game on July 1, 1892 at Birmingham's Lakeview Park as coach Shelby Fletcher's team posted a 6-3 win over Sewanee.
*Since then, Alabama has posted a 2,131-1,241-23 (.631) record in 3,394 games.
*In SEC play, Alabama has posted a 759-583-3 (.565) all-time ledger in 1,345 league games.
*Alabama became the 17th school in NCAA history to record 2,000 wins with a 12-0 win over Winthrop on March 4, 2001.
*Alabama posted its 2,100th all-time win on April 19, 2003 with a 7-3 win at Ole Miss.
*Alabama notched its 750th all-time SEC win on April 13, 2003 with a 4-1 win over Kentucky.
*Sophomore left-hander Brent Carter was the winning pitcher in both milestone wins for the Crimson Tide last season.
*Alabama has also won more SEC Championships (13) than any other school. In addition, UA has also won six SEC Tournament Championships, including five under coach Jim Wells (1995-96-97-99-02).
*The Crimson Tide has also played in 14 NCAA Tournaments, winning five NCAA Regional Championships. UA has also advanced to the College World Series five times, reaching the national championship game in 1983 and 1997. In addition, the Tide has one fourth-place finish and two fifth-place finishes at the CWS.
*The Crimson Tide also boasts an impressive professional baseball history sending well over 100 former players into the pro ranks. Alabama currently has two Major League players (Frank Menechino and Dustan Mohr) and a number of minor league stars.
*Two former members of the Crimson Tide baseball family have been enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Joe Sewell was inducted in 1977 and broadcaster Mel Allen, who spent 39 years with the Yankees, won the Ford Frick Award in 1978.
*In all UA has produced 11 First-Team All-Americans, 18 Second and Third-Team AA picks and 10 Freshmen All-American selections. A total of 71 players have been named First-Team All-SEC and another 78 were named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
*Jeff Laubenthal won the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year Award in 1993.
VANDERBILT SERIES
Alabama leads the all-time series with Vanderbilt, 71-39-2 (.643). The two teams have not played since the 2001 season.
*The Commodores took two of three from the Crimson Tide in the last meeting between the two schools during the 2001 season.
*The series win was the first by Vanderbilt over Alabama since the 1992 season. UA had won the previous six series from VU before the 2001 campaign.
*Vanderbilt's 12-4 win in the 2001 series opener also snapped a seven-game winning streak by the Crimson Tide over the Commodores.
*The two schools first met during the 1893 season, with Vanderbilt posting a 3-1-1 record in those five meetings.
*Bama and Vandy played to a 2-2 tie in 1893 in game called after 16 innings due to darkness. The 16-inning game is the longest game in the UA record book.
*Vanderbilt and Alabama met for the SEC Championship in 1973 and 1974, with Vandy winning both best-of-three series to claim the league title.
*In games played in Tuscaloosa, Alabama holds a 50-25-1 (.664) series lead.
*The Crimson Tide owns a 14-10 (.583) ledger in Nashville and a 1-0 (1.000) mark in Montgomery.
*Alabama head coach Jim Wells has compiled a 14-4 (.778) record in his career against Vanderbilt.
*Vandy coach Tim Corbin has never faced Alabama as a head coach. However, while an assistant under Jack Leggett at Clemson, Corbin was a part of two teams that beat Alabama in post-season play. Clemson beat Alabama for the 1995 NCAA East Regional title and eliminated Bama from the CWS the following year.
SCOUTING REPORT: Vanderbilt
Off to one of its best starts in school history, Vanderbilt brings a 22-7 overall record into the Alabama series.
*As a team, the Commodores are batting .325 (326-for-1,002) with 24 home runs and 189 this season. Vandy averages 7.06 runs and 11.24 hits per game in 29 games.
*The Commodores are fourth in the league in hitting and leads the SEC with 54 stolen bases (65 attempts).
*The hitting star is sophomore second baseman Warner Jones, who leads the SEC with a .496 batting average (59-for-119). In 29 games, Jones tallied five home runs, 41 RBI and scored 33 runs.
*The Nashville native leads the SEC in total hits (59), doubles (19) and total bases (95).
*Jones opened the season by hitting safely in Vanderbilt's first 25 games. Dating back to last year, Jones posted a two-year SEC record 32-game hitting streak.
*Sophomore Mike Baxter, a transfer from Colgate University, is the second-leading hitter with a .371 (43-for-116) clip. Baxter has added two home runs and 26 RBI in 29 games.
*Junior middle infielder Ryan Klosterman is batting .339 (39-for-115) in 28 games, with eight doubles, a team-high five triples, one home run and 11 RBI.
*Junior outfielder Antoan Richardson (29 G, .275, HR, 13 RBI) leads the SEC with 20 stolen bases (22 attempts) this season.
*Vanderbilt boasts one of the league's best pitching staff's, posting a 3.48 ERA this season to rank seventh in the league.
*As a team, Vandy is 22-7 with a 3.48 ERA this season and has worked 258 2/3 innings and allowed 232 hits, 123 runs (100 ER), 84 walks and 247 strikeouts.
*The weekend rotation is among the best in the SEC with junior left-hander Jeremy Sowers, sophomore right-hander Jensen Lewis and sophomore left-hander Ryan Mullins.
*Jeremy Sowers is the real deal and an almost certain first-round draft pick this June. In seven starts, Sowers has compiled a 5-1 record and 2.81 ERA for the Commodores.
*The Louisville, Ky.,., native has worked 48 innings and allowed 40 hits, 16 runs (15 ER), five walks and 51 strikeouts.
*He has an astounding 10-to-1 strikeout (51) to walk (5) ratio, the best in the league.
*Sowers was the seventh overall pick of the 2002 MLB draft, but opted for Vanderbilt rather than signing with the Cincinnati Reds.
*Lewis has compiled a 4-3 record and 3.52 ERA in seven starts this season. Lewis has worked 46 innings and allowed 43 hits, 19 runs (18 ER), 10 walks and 36 strikeouts.
*Mullins is 3-2 with a 3.41 ERA in his seven starts this season. In 41 innings, he has allowed 42 hits, 22 runs (15 ER), six walks and 40 strikeouts.
*The Commodores also have depth in the bullpen in sophomore RHP Matt Buschmann (14 G, 3 GS, 4-1, 2.79 ERA), sophomore RHP Jeff Sues (8 G, 1 GS, 2-0, 4.42 ERA) and freshman RHP Michael Wagner (7 G, 1-0, 5.27 ERA).
*Junior Ryan Rote (15 G, 1-2, 5.14 ERA, 6 Saves) has struggled at times on the mound, but is still a solid closer out of the pen. He has allowed eight runs and 15 hits in 14 innings this season, with three walks and 18 strikeouts.
*Vanderbilt also plays solid defense and has made only 30 errors (.970) in 29 games this season, to rank third in the league in fielding.
20 UP, 11 DOWN
Alabama has compiled an 20-11 (.645) record in its first 31 games of the 2004 season. Here is how the Crimson Tide fares in its 20 wins and 11 losses.
*In its 20 wins this season the Alabama Crimson Tide has:
*Hit .319 (215-for-673) with 16 home runs and 163 RBI
*Averaged 8.95 runs and 10.75 hits per game
*Compiled a 1.60 ERA (180 IP, 128 H, 32 ER and 171 K)
*Committed 22 errors in those 20 games
*In its 11 losses this season the Alabama Crimson Tide has:
*Hit .193 (69-for-357) with six home runs and 23 RBI
*Averaged 2.63 runs and 6.27 hits per game
*Compiled a 5.18 ERA (92 IP, 110 H, 53 ER)
*Committed 13 errors in 11 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 eight of its opponents ranked in at least one of the four major polls this week.
*LSU, Ole Miss and South Carolina are consensus Top 10 clubs this season.
*The Tigers are ranked as high as second by Collegiate Baseball and third by Baseball America, USA Today Sports Weekly and NCBWA.
*The Rebels highest ranking is fifth by Collegiate Baseball. Ole Miss is also ranked sixth by USA Today Sports Weekly and eighth by Baseball America and NCBWA.
*The Gamecocks are sixth in the Baseball America poll this week, their highest ranking. USC is also ranked seventh by USA Today Sports Weekly and NCBWA and ninth by Collegiate Baseball.
*The Crimson Tide has already dropped two out of three at home to Ole Miss (Mar. 26-28).
*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.
*However, the brutality of the schedule does not end there, as Alabama also faces Vanderbilt (April 9-11), Auburn (April 16-18) and Florida (May 7-9) all at home in the coming weeks.
*In addition, Alabama has played four other teams that are currently ranked or have been in at least one of the four major polls this week, including Kansas State, Southern Miss, Birmingham Southern and Georgia.
*The highest profile non-conference win of the season came against No. 18 Southern Miss on Mar. 10 here in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide hit four home runs en route to an easy 9-3 win over the Golden Eagles, snapping an eight-game winning streak by USM.
*Alabama suffered a 2-1 loss to Kansas State in the final game of the Gent Classic (Mar. 7).
*Birmingham Southern handed Alabama a 4-3 loss on Mar. 17 in the first-ever game played between the schools on the BSC campus. BSC was ranked for the first time in history (Mar. 21-28) at the Division I level.
*BSC has beaten Georgia, Alabama and Miss. State this season, with the win over Georgia and Miss. State coming on the road. BSC handed Miss. State a 10-1 setback at Dudy Noble on Mar. 23.
*The Crimson Tide dropped two out of three at then No. 35 Georgia (Mar. 19-21) in Athens to open SEC play. The Bulldogs are currently ranked 25th this week.
INJURY BUG TAKING ITS TOLL
Alabama has been dealt with a number of injuries this season, including losing its starting catcher and perhaps its most consistent hitter for pretty much the entire first half of the season.
*As of April 9, a total of 11 players have combined to miss 133 games due to injuries and illnesses this year.
*The most significant injury came when starting catcher Charlie Lyons battled a sore left hand (non-throwing) all of preseason camp before its was later revealed he had suffered a broken hamate bone.
*Lyons underwent surgery on March 1 and missed 25 of the first 27 games this year. He made his return in a limited role this past weekend at Arkansas, but is still not yet 100 percent.
*Junior outfielder/pitcher Morrow Thomley missed nearly the first two months of the season while recovering from a broken hamate bone suffered in early January.
*Junior outfielder Chad White has not played at all this season due to a sore shoulder.
*Several other position players have missed games due to nagging injuries or illness this season.
*On the mound the two most significant blows came with the losses of RHP T.J. Large and LHP Jeffrey Norris.
*Large pulled a muscle on his right side on Feb. 29 against SE Louisiana and has not pitched since that game. Large has missed the last 20 games.
*Norris suffered a left shoulder strain during the second inning of his only start against No. 18 Southern Miss and has missed the last 15 games.
*Freshman LHP/OF Brandon Belcher missed the final two games of the Arkansas series, including his turn on the mound last weekend due to strep throat.
*Junior middle infielder Rocky Scelfo missed his first game of the 2004 season against Louisiana Tech with a sore knee. Prior to the Tech game, Scelfo was the only UA player to start all 30 games this season.
Players Who Have Missed Games with Injuries
Player Games Missed
Brandon Belcher 2
Evan Bush 1
T.J. Large 21
Charlie Lyons 27
Michael McCallister 2
Jeffrey Norris 16
Allen Ponder 5
Nick Richardson 4
Rocky Scelfo 1
Morrow Thomley 23
Chad White 31
SEC SLUMP
Alabama has lost six straight Southeastern Conference series for the first time in the Jim Wells era.
*The six 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 three SEC series this season for the first time since 1994.
*The Crimson Tide has only lost three straight series in the same season three times in the Wells era.
*In addition to this year, Alabama also lost three straight SEC series to Tennessee, Auburn and LSU in 2001 and Tennessee, South Carolina and Miss. State last year.
*Alabama has lost six straight Sunday SEC games, dating back to last year. The streak includes losses to Tennessee, South Carolina, Miss. State, Georgia, Ole Miss and Arkansas.
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
SEC ROAD SKID
Alabama has traditionally been a pretty good road team in the Jim Wells era, but has seen its share of troubles over the last three years, especially in SEC road games.
*Alabama has lost its last nine SEC road series, dating back to the final two road series of the 2002 season.
*The current slump began with two losses at Georgia on May 5-7, 2002 at Foley Field. The Crimson Tide closed out the 2002 season with three losses at LSU (May 19-21), which prevented Alabama from winning the SEC Championship.
*Alabama did not win a road series last year, losing all five series at Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Miss. State.
*The Crimson Tide opened its 2004 season by losing two out of three at Georgia just two weeks ago.
*During its current series losing streak, Alabama has posted an 8-19 (.296) SEC road record since May, 2002.
*Despite its recent troubles on the road, Alabama has won 22 of its 39 SEC road series under Wells.
SEC Road Series Losing Streak
Year Series Results
May 5, 2002 Georgia 5, Alabama 0
May 6, 2002 Georgia 8, Alabama 7 (11)
May 7, 2002 Alabama 4, Georgia 2
May 20, 2002 LSU 3, Alabama 0 (DH)
LSU 6, Alabama 5 (DH)
May 21, 2002 LSU 5, Alabama 1
March 21, 2003 Alabama 8, Florida 3
March 22, 2003 Florida 6, Alabama 1
March 23, 2003 Florida 6, Alabama 5
April 4, 2003 Auburn 10, Alabama 2
April 5, 2003 Alabama 3, Auburn 2
April 6, 2003 Auburn 7, Alabama 6
April 18, 2003 Ole Miss 10, Alabama 2
April 19, 2003 Alabama 7, Ole Miss 3
April 20, 2003 Ole Miss 8, Alabama 3
May 2, 2003 Alabama 6, Tennessee 2
May 3, 2003 Tennessee 10, Alabama 3
May 4, 2003 Tennessee 7, Alabama 4
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
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 16-3 (.842)
Totals: 273-65 (.808)
*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.
BAMA AT HOME
*Alabama is 16-3 (.842) at home this season, suffering a loss to New Orleans and two losses to Ole Miss.
*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.
*In 19 home games this season, Alabama is batting .299 (188-for-628) with with 16 home runs and 133 RBI.
*Bama is averaging 7.7 runs and 9.9 hits per game at the Joe this year.
*On the mound, Alabama is 16-3 with a 1.95 ERA.
*The staff has worked 171.0 innings and allowed only 125 hits, 51 runs, 37 earned runs and walked 49 and struck out 183 batters.
*Alabama also has two complete games, three shutouts and five saves at home this season.
2004 HOME BATTING LEADERS
Player Stats
Allen Rice, INF .385, 1 HR, 14 RBI
Carlos Sosa, DH .383, 3 HR, 21 RBI
Zac Welch, 1B .352, 4 HR, 17 RBI
Rocky Scelfo, INF .344, 1 HR, 13 RBI
Evan Bush, INF/OF .286, 3 HR, 12 RBI
2004 HOME PITCHING LEADERS
Player Stats
Seth Johnson 6 G, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3 SV
13.1 IP, 7 H, 11 K
Taylor Tankersley 4 G, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 SV
11.2 IP, 7 H, 14 K
Wade LeBlanc 5 GS, 4-0, 0.69 ERA,
39.1 IP, 37 K, 2 CG
Brent Carter 5 GS, 4-1, 2.61 ERA
31 IP, 28 K
PLAYING DEFENSE
Alabama is on pace to become the best defensive team in Alabama baseball history, with just 33 errors in its first 30 games.
*The Crimson Tide is currently fifth 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 eight of its last nine games.
*During those nine games, Alabama has made 16 errors (331 chances) for a .952 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 19 of its 31 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 31 35
APRIL SHOWERS
Alabama has compiled a 114-57 (.667) all-time record under Jim Wells in the month of April.
*The Crimson Tide is 2-2 (.500) this year in April, after Tuesday night's win over Louisiana Tech.
*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 1-2 (.333)
Totals 113-57 (.665)
