BAMA FACES ARKANSAS IN WEST SHOWDOWN
5/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
GAMES 48-50: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (34-13, 15-6) AT ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS (31-15, 11-10)
BAUM SATDIUM -- FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS -- 7:05 PM (CT)
MAY 5-7, 2006 -- BAMA, HOGS MEET IN SEC WESTERN DIVISION SHOWDOWN
Date Game Time Radio TV
May 5 ALABAMA at Arkansas 7:35 PM (CT) CTSN, WACT (1420 AM) None
May 6 ALABAMA at Arkansas 4:05 PM (CT) CTSN, WACT (1420 AM) None
May 7 ALABAMA at Arkansas 12:35 PM (CT) CTSN, WACT (1420 AM) None
INTERNET BROADCAST: Live audio broadcasts and live stats can be found at www.rolltide.com. The games are aired on the Crimson Tide Sports Network with David Crane (play-by-play) and Chris Stewart (color) describing the action. Live stats are also available at www.rolltide.com. The CTSM broadcast can also be heard inside Baum Stadium on 87.5 FM this weekend.
TICKETS: Tickets for the Alabama- Arkansas series are $8 (adults) and $4 (youth) and available through the UA Athletic Ticket Office and at Baum Stadium for Friday and Sunday games. The Saturday game is SOLD OUT and only general admission bleacher tickets are available at $5 each. Tickets are also available for Alabama's final home series with Florida (May 12-14).
BAMA FACES ARKANSAS IN WEST SHOWDOWN
The fifth-ranked and Southeastern Conference leading University of Alabama baseball team hits the road this weekend to take on No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks in a pivotal three-game SEC series at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville. The series opener is Friday, May 5 at 7:05 p.m. The two teams will also square off on Saturday, May 6 (4:05 p.m.) and Sunday, May 7 (12:35 p.m.). This weekend's series will go a long way in deciding the order of finish in the rugged SEC Western Division. Alabama (34-13, 15-6 SEC) owns a two-game lead in the overall standings over Kentucky (13-8), South Carolina (13-8) and Ole Miss (13-8). The Crimson Tide also has a two-game lead over the Rebels for the SEC Western Division lead with nine games to play. Arkansas (31-15, 11-10 SEC) is four games behind Alabama in the SEC Western Division standings. That makes this weekend's game critical to both teams as Bama looks to maintain or extend its lead, while Arkansas hopes to gain ground in the standings heading into the final two weekends of SEC play. The Crimson Tide has played well on the road this season, winning SEC series at No. 23 Georgia (Mar. 17-19) and No. 1 South Carolina (April 7-9). Alabama is 8-7 (.533) on the road, including a 5-4 (.556) in SEC play. The Crimson Tide's two series losses came at No. 6 Nebraska (Mar. 10-12) and No. 20 LSU (April 14-16).
The Arkansas series will be the Crimson Tide's fifth road series of the year against a Top 25 opponent. Alabama has one more road series on its 2006 schedule as the Tide closes out the regular-season at Tennessee (May 18-20) in two weeks. Alabama brings one of the hottest hitters in the country to Fayetteville this weekend in junior center fielder Emeel Salem (Mountain Brook). He is the reigning Louisville Slugger (Collegiate Baseball newspaper) and ProLine Cap (NCBWA) National Player of the Week after hitting .765 (13-for-17) in four games last week with five extra base hits, one home run and two RBI. He also scored 12 runs, including the winning run in all three wins last week. Salem was also named the SEC Player of the Week. He tied the UA single-game record with five hits in a 14-8 win at UAB (5-for-6, 4 R, 2B, 3B, RBI) on April 26. He hit a 10th walk-off home run in the series opener with Auburn (3-6, 2 R, HR, RBI) to give Bama a 6-5 win on April 28. In the series finale, Salem went 4-for-4 and scored four runs in the Crimson Tide's 9-1 win. The junior has reached base 11 consecutive times (6 hits, 4 BB, 1 HP) entering the Arkansas series. The Razorbacks are home for the first time in two weeks after a brutal seven-game road trip against Miss. State (April 22-24), LSU (April 28-30) and a midweek game at Oral Roberts (May 2). Arkansas lost 5-4 at ORU on Tuesday to snap their 10-game winning streak in Tulsa.
ALABAMA PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP (Arkansas Series)
Odr No. Name Pos. B/T 2006 Stats
1 2 Emeel Salem CF L/L 47 GS, .382, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 26-33 SB
vs. Auburn: 3 GS, 8-11 (.727), 8 R, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, 4 BB, HBP, 2-2 SB
Notes: One of two UA players (Bush) to start all 47 G ... Hit safely in 41 of 47 G ... Also hit safely in 19 of 21 SEC G ... Batting .512 (21-for-41) in the first inning this season, w/15 runs scored, 2B, 3B and 8 BB ... Reached base in the first inning in 29/47 G ... He is 8-for-8 (1.000) w/walk in last 9 G in 1st inning ... Leads UA with 13 infield/bunt hits ... Posted 9 G hitting streak (25-42, .595, 17 R) ... Also riding 7 G SEC hitting streak (.531, 17-32) ... Reached base safely 11 consecutive times, one shy of Alabama record ... 3-for-6, 3 RBI vs. USM (3/15) ... 3-for-3, 2B, RBI at UGa (3/17) ... 3-for-5, 2 R vs. UM (3/25), Leading hitter in March (.370, 16 R, 11 RBI) ... 3-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI vs. MSU (4/1) ... First HR in 99 games dating back to 2004 ... Posted 16-game hitting streak from March 11-April 7 ... 4-for-6, 3 R at LSU (4/16) ... 3-for-4, 2 R, RBI vs. Miss. Valley (4/19) ... Tied Alabama record w/5 hits in win at UAB (5-for-6, 4 R, 2B, 3B, RBI) on 4/26 ... 8-for-11 (.727) vs. Auburn w/8 runs scored, one double, one triple, one home run and one RBI ... Walk-off HR in 10th inning vs. AU (4/28) ... 4-for-4 and scored 4 runs in 9-1 series-clinching win ... Named National (Louisville Slugger and Pro-Line Cap) and SEC Player of the Week (5/1) after hitting .765 (13-for-17) in 4 G w/12 runs scored and a 1.275 slugging mark against UAB and Auburn ...Led UA in hitting in April (.438, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 25 R in 18 G) ...
26 26 Matt Downs 3B R/R 46 GS, .296, 5 HR, 45 RBI
vs. Auburn: 3 GS, .364 (4-for-11), 3 R, HR, 5 RBI
Notes: Ranks as the 23rd toughest hitter to strikeout (17.6 AB) in Division I baseball ... Reached base in 40 of 46 G ... Posted RBI in 28 of 47 G ... Tallied 16 multi hit games ... Hit safely in 12 of 14 G (23-for-53, .434) since 4/9 ... Posted a 7 G RBI streak (14 RBI) since 4/22, the longest of his career ... Slugged first career HR vs. Appy State (3/3) ... 3-for-5, 2 R, RBI vs. UM (3/16) ... Scored tying run in 9th inning vs. UM (3/26) ... Led UA w/16 RBI in March ... Tied UA record w/2 sac bunts at USC (4/7) ... Hit 1st career SEC HR at USC (4/9) ... 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI at LSU (4/14) ... 4-for-4, RBI at LSU (4/15) ... First career 4-hit game ... Slugged 4th career HR vs. Vandy (4/23) ... 2-for-2 w/double and solo HR vs. VU (4/22) ...3-for-4 with career high six RBI in win at UAB 4/26 ... Also added career high two doubles ... 2-run HR vs. Auburn (4/28) ... Posted career-high 9 G hitting streak (500, 18-36, 8 R, 5 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI) from 4/14-28 ... Also posted 9-G SEC hitting streak (.500, 17-34, 4 HR 13 RBI) from 4/9-28 ... Batted .373 (25-for-67) in April (18 G) and led UA w/4 HRs and 24 RBI ...
3 16 Alex Avila DH L/R 43 G, 39 GS, .312, 3 HR, 30 RBI
vs. Auburn: 3 GS, 4-11 (.364), 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Notes: Hit safely in 19 of 24 G since 3/19 ... Raised season avg 87 pts since 3/19 ... Since March 1, Avila is 39-for-113 (.345) and raised his avg 117 pts ... In his last 9 SEC G, Avila is 16-for-37 (.432), w/five multi hit games ... Riding a 4 G hitting streak (5-for-16, .313) ... Scored a run in 4 straight G ... 1-for-3, 2 R scored in UA debut vs. Winthrop (2/11) ... 3-for-4, 2 RBI at UGa (3/19) ... First career multi hit and multi RBI G at UA ... 2-for-5, 2 RBI vs. Lipscomb (3/29) ... 4-for-4 4 R, 2 2B, RBI at LSU (4/16) ... All career highs at LSU ... 2-for-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI vs. Miss Valley (4/19) ... Reached base eight straight times (5 H, 2 BB, HBP) vs. LSU and MVSU (4/16-19) ... 4-for-6 w/4 runs and 4 RBI vs. Vandy (4/22) ... Career three doubles vs. Vandy (4/22) ... 1-for-4 at UAB (4/26) with game-winning, two-run double in the 8th inning ... 2-for-5 w/2 RBI vs. Auburn (4/29) ...
4 9 Kody Valverde C R/R 44 G, 42 GS, .338, 10 HR, 46 RBI
vs. Auburn: 3 GS, 2-for-10 (.200), 3 RBI
Notes: Leads UA w/career high 10 HRs ... 7 of 10 HRs have tied gm or given UA the lead ... Ranks 1st w/14 multi RBI games ... 2nd on team w/17 multi hit games ... Scored a run in 29/44 G ... 2nd on team w/6 GW RBI ... Leads team with 46 RBI ... Batting .486 (18-for-37) since 4/14 ... GW 3-run HR vs. WIN (2/12) ... 3-for-5, 2 R, HR, 5 RBI vs. KSU (2/17) ... 2-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI vs. FIU (2/26) ... GW 2-run HR vs. BSC (2/28) ... Leading hitter in February (.375, 5 HR, 16 RBI) ... 2-for-4, 5 RBI vs. Appy State (3/4) ... Tied UA record with 4 BB vs. UM (3/26) ... 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI at USC (4/9) ... 4-for-5, 4 R, 2 2B, 4 RBI at LSU (4/16) ... All career highs at LSU ...DNP vs. MVSU (4/19) ... 3-for-5 HR, 2 RBI vs. Vandy (4/22) ... 2-for-4, 3 R vs. VU (4/23) ... Scored tying run in 8th inning ...2-for-2 with double and two RBI at UAB (4/26) ... Recorded pinch-hit, two-run double in 8th inning and scored tying run in UA's 14-8 comeback win ...
5 14 Evan Bush 2B R/R 47 GS, .271, 6 HR, 42 RBI
vs. Auburn: 3 GS, 4-for-14 (.286), RBI, BB, 2 K
Notes: One of two UA players (Salem) to start all 47 G ... Tied w/Mick Kerns (1989-92) for 8th place all-time w/205 G played ...Ranks 4th all-time w/118 walks ... Ranks 2nd all-time w/167 Ks ... Reached base in 39/46 G ... Leads UA w/7 GW RBI ... 2nd on team w/11 multi RBI G ... 4th on tm w/14 multi hit G ... UA record holder with 20 career sac flies ... He broke Beau Hearod's (2001-03) school record with a first inning sac fly vs. Miss Valley State (4/19) ... 3-for-4, 3 R, HR,4 RBI vs. SAM (2/14) ... 3-for-4, 3 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI vs. UM (3/24) ... 4-for-6, 3 R, 2 HR, 7 RBI vs. LSU (4/16) ... All career highs at LSU ... First UA player w/7 RBI since Beau Hearod vs. UMass (3/9/03) ... 1-for-3, 2 RBI vs. Miss. Valley State (4/19) ... 2-for-5 with two RBI at UAB (4/26) ...
6 34 Ryan Rhoden RF R/R 44 G, 38 GS, .308, HR, 19 RBI
vs. Auburn: 3 GS, 5-for-14 (.357), 2 R, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 Errors
Notes: UA's 4th leading hitter ... 2nd leading freshman hitter on team (Avila) ... Riding 10 G hitting streak (18-39, .462, w/8 R, 3 2B, 2 3B, 7 RBI) ... Also riding a 8 G SEC hitting streak (14-31, .452) ... 5th on tm w/12 multi hit G ... UA debut vs. Winthrop (2/12) ... 2-for-3 vs. WIN (2/13) ... 1-for-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI vs. BSC (2/28) ... First career HR vs. BSC ... 2-for-4, 2 RBI vs. MSU (4/2) ... 2-for-4, 2B, RBI vs. UAB (4/5) ... 1-for-3 vs. Miss. Valley (4/19) ... Career high three hits and two doubles in UA's 9-3 win over VU (4/22) ... Tied UA record w/2 sac bunts vs. VU (4/23) ... The two sac bunts led to 4 runs, including tying and winning runs in 8th inning of 6-5 win ... Tied career high w/3 hits at UAB (3-for-5, RBI) on 4/26 ... 2-for-5 with 3 RBI in 9-1 series-clinching win over Auburn (4/30) ... Rhoden's three-run 2B in 5th inning broke open close game and have UA a 5-0 lead ... Rhoden batted .411 (23-for-56) in April w/10 R and 10 RBI in 18 G ...
7 24 Spencer Pennington 1B L/R 39 G, 32 GS, .306, 0 HR, 12 RBI
vs. Auburn: 3 G, 2 GS, 4-for-8 (.500), R, 2 2B, 2 RBI
Notes: Batting only .286 (6-for-21) in last 7 G ... Despite recent struggles at the plate, he has still hit safely in 15 of 19 G since 3/24 ... Batting .362 (21-for-58) in those 19 G ... 2-for-3 vs. FIU (2/26) ... 2-for-4, RBI vs. USM (3/15) ... 2-for-4, 2 R vs. Appy State (3/5) ... 3-for-3, 2 2B vs. MSU (4/2) ... Career high three hits and career high two doubles in the MSU game ... 2-for-5 at LSU (4/16) ... 4-for-8 (.500) vs. Auburn (4/28-30) w/2 2Bs and 2 RBI ... Had RBI double in both UA wins vs. AU ... Engaged to Haley Hudson and the couple will be married on Saturday, Nov. 25 at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa ...
8 32 Brandon Belcher LF L/L 44 G, 38 GS, .264, 3 HR, 18 RBI
vs. Auburn: 3 GS, 1-for-13 (.077), 2 K
Notes: In the midst of worst slump of the season ... 1-for-18 (.056) in last 4 G ... Hit in 26 of 34 G since 3/3 ... 1-for-4, 2 RBI vs. USM (3/15) ... Posted 7-G hitting streak (8-for-22, .364) from 3/12-24 ... 3-for-3, 2 R vs. MSU (3/31) ... 3-for-6, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI at LSU (4/16) ... First career SEC HR ... First HR since 2004 season, a span of 66 G and 152 ABs ...Homered in three straight SEC G against LSU and Vandy (4/14-23) ... Homered in back-to-back games vs. Vandy (4/23) for first time in his career ... Three hits vs. Vandy (4/22-23) produced 5 RBI ... GW RBI vs. VU (4/23) with 8th inning single ... Posted 7-G hitting streak (10-for-30, .333) from 4/14-23 to match season high ...
9 3 Greg Paiml SS R/R 47 G, 46 GS, .292, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 34 R
vs. Auburn: 3 GS, 4-for-13 (.308), 2 R, 2B, 3 K
Notes: Enjoying his finest season at Alabama ... Tallied 34 R and 26 RBI from No. 9 spot in batting order ... 2nd on team w/11 infield or bunt hits ... Tallied 8 bunt singles ...
3-for-4, RBI vs. Appy State (3/5) ... 2-for-3, 2 R, 3 RBI vs. USM (3/15) ... 1-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI vs. UM (3/24) ... Game-winning, 10th inning 2B vs. UM (3/25) ... 3-for-5, 2 RBI vs. Lipscomb (3/29) ... 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI at USC (4/7) ... First HR since April 10, 2005 ... 2-for-3 with solo HR at LSU (4/15) ... Missed first start vs. MVSU (4/19) ... Posted career best 10 G hitting streak (.368, 14-38, 8 R, HR, 2 RBI) from 4/12-29 ... Also tallied an 8 G SEC hitting streak (.363, 12-33) from 4/14-23 ... 3-for-4 vs. AU (4/29) ...
ALABAMA OFF THE BENCH (Arkansas Series)
No. Name Pos. B/T 2006 Stats
25 Matt Bentley 1B/DH L/L 24 G, 11 GS, .195, HR, 6 RBI
Notes: 3-for-13 (.231) in last 11 G ... First career HR vs. Winthrop (2/13) ... 3-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI vs. Lipscomb (3/29) ... Tied UA record w/2 hits in 7th inning ... 0-for-3 as pinch hitter at LSU ... Game-tying RBI w/infield ground out in 8th inning vs. Vandy (4/24) ...
8 David Ferazza C/DH R/R 24 G, 11 GS, .264, 4 HR, 11 RBI
Notes: Third on UA team with 4 HRs, despite only 51 ABs in 21 G ... 2-for-2, 2 HR, 5 RBI in double header sweep of FIU (2/26) ... Both home runs came in late-inning pinch-hit roles ... Hit solo HR at Georgia (3/17) ... His first SEC HR since April 19, 2004 vs. Auburn ... 4-for-5, 3 R, 2B, HR vs. Lipscomb (3/29) ... All career highs ... Tied UA record with 2 hits in 7th inning ... 0-for-4 vs. Miss. Valley State (4/19) ...
11 Wes Henderson 1B R/L 30 G, 2 GS, 5-for-19 (.263), 2 2B, 3 RBI
Notes: Used mainly as late-inning def replacement at 1B ... UA debut vs. Samford (2/14) ... Recorded only career hit vs. MSU (4/2) ... 0-for-1 (K) vs. Miss. Valley State (4/19) ...Recorded pinch-hit two-run double to give UA 4-3 lead over Vandy (4/24) ... 1-for-3 at UAB (4/26) and scored the first run of his career ...
22 Kent Matthes OF R/R 19 G, 8 GS, .167, 0 HR, 3 RBI
Notes: Hitless in last seven ABs ... 2-for-18 (.111) since March 17th ... Recorded first career hit at No. 6 Nebraska (Mar. 12) ... 2-for-3, 2 RBI in first career start vs. Southern Miss (3/15) ... 2-for-4, RBI at UGa (3/19) ... Made first career start against Vanderbilt (2-3, 2B, RBI) in game two of DH (4/22) ... The RBI double in second inning was his first career extra base hit and RBI ...
1 Kyle Moore OF R/R 15 G, 10 GS, .219, HR, 8 RBI
Notes: Played in only 5 G since March 1st ... 2-for-10 (.200) during that time ... 2-for-5, R, HR, 4 RBI in UA debut as DH vs. Samford (2/14) ... 2-for-5, 3 RBI in DH sweep of No. 1 USC (4/9) ... First career SEC start at South Carolina ...
43 Tyler Odle PR/OF L/L 11 G, No Stats
Notes: Used as pinch-runner or late-inning defensive replacement ...
10 Jeff Texada PR/INF R/R 14 G, 1 GS, 4-for-6 (.667), 2 R, 2B
Notes: Used mainly as pinch-runner and late-inning defensive replacement ... Scored winning run as pinch-runner vs. FIU (2/24) in UA's 1-0 win in bottom of 9th inning ... First career hit at No. 6 Nebraska (Mar. 12) ... Scored winning run as pinch-runner vs. Ole Miss (3/26) ... Made first collegiate start at SS vs. Miss. Valley State (3-for-3, 2B, BB) (4/19) ... 0-for-1 and scored as pinch-runner at UAB (4/26) ...
PROBABLE STARTING ROTATION (Arkansas Series)
Friday, May 5, 2006 (7:05 PM)
Pitcher G-GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER BB K CG
Wade LeBlanc (L) 12-12 7 0 0 2.92 89.1 67 30 29 25 84 3
Nick Schmidt (L) 12-12 7 2 0 2.68 80.2 57 27 24 36 97 1
Saturday, May 6 (4:05 PM)
Pitcher G-GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER BB K CG
Bernard Robert (R) 12-11 6 3 0 4.00 72.0 78 40 32 26 59 1
TBA
Notes: Alabama is 8-3 (.727) in his 11 GS ... Robert is 4-2 (.667) in 6 SEC starts ... Averages 100.7 pitches per start ... Posted 4-1 record at home and 2-2 record on the road ... Recorded 21 strikeouts in last 20.1 IP ... Allowed 14 extra base hits in last 4 GS ... Won first two decisions vs. Kent State (5,2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K) and Appy State (7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 4 K) ... Suffered first loss at No. 6 Nebraska (5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB,4 K) on 3/11 ... First career SEC win at No. 23 Georgia (6.1 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 5 K) on 3/18 ... Won first three SEC decisions ... Season high 8 IP vs. Ole Miss (8 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K) ... First complete game at USC (7 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K) on April 9th ... Suffered first loss since Mar. 11 at LSU (6 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 7 K) on 4/15 ... Notched 6th win vs. No. 16 Vandy (7.1 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 9 K) on 4/22 ... Season-high 9 Ks vs. VU (4/22) ...
Sunday, May 7, 2006 (12:35 PM)
Pitcher G-GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER BB K CG
Tommy Hunter (R) 14-10 7 2 1 3.17 76.2 70 32 27 18 52 3
Shaun Seibert (R) 13-6 3 0 0 2.76 42.1 33 16 13 9 45 0
Notes: Alabama is 7-3 (.700) in his 9 GS ... Pitched into the 7th inning in 8 of 10 GS ... Posted 5-2 record and 3.28 ERA in 10 GS (68.2 IP, 59 H, 29 R, 25 ER, 18 BB, 43 K) ... Averages 103.3 pitches per start ... Three-time SEC Freshman of the Week winner vs. FIU (2/26), Ole Miss (3/26) and South Carolina (4/9) ... Earned win in UA debut vs. Winthrop (3.1 IP, 4 H, ER, 0 BB, 2 K) on 2/12 ... First UA pitcher to win UA debut since David Robertson at Hawaii (2-13-05) ... Notched lone save against Kent State (3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 K) on 2/17 ... Made first start against FIU (8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K) on 2/26 ... Won first three decisions ... Suffered first loss at No. 6 Nebraska (7 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) on 3/12 ... Lost SEC debut at No. 23 Georgia (4.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, BB, 6 K) on 3/19 ... First career SEC win and CG came against Ole Miss (9 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 7 K) on Mar 26 ... Won last four decisions ... Earned series clinching wins over No. 1 South Carolina (7 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 7 K) on 4/9 and Auburn (8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K) on 4/30
...
ALABAMA BULLPEN (Arkansas Series)
Pitcher G-GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER BB K CG
Josh Copeland 11-0 1 0 0 3.86 18.2 15 9 8 11 17 0
Notes: Has made only four apps since Mar. 12th ... Logged 4 IP and 4 K in 2006 debut vs. Winthrop (2/13) ... Added 2 1/3 IP, 3 K vs. Kent State (2/18) ... Combined with Jake McCarter on 4-hit shutout vs. Miss Valley (2 IP, 2 BB, 2 K) on 4/19 ... Made first SEC app of the season vs. Vandy (1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, K) on 4/21 ... Posted first win of the season at UAB (1.1 IP, H, BB, 2 K) on 4/26 at Hoover Met
Pitcher G-GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER BB K CG
Jordan Davis (R) 19-0 1 2 2 3.76 26.1 25 16 11 16 16 0
Notes: Has not allowed an earned run in his last 14.2 IP (9 G, 14.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 10 BB, 10 K) since 3/29 ... In the month of April, Davis is 1-1 w/2 saves and 0.00 ERA in 8 G (12.2 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 96 BB, 8 K) ... Allowed six ER in season opener vs. Winthrop (1.2 IP, 2 HRs) on Feb 11th ... Only allowed 5 ER in last 18 outings (24.2 IP, 1.82 ERA) ... Posted saves in back-to-back midweek gms w/UAB (1.2 IP, H, K) and SE Louisiana (2.2 IP, H, BB, 3 K) ... Notched first win of season vs. Vandy (4/23) as UA notched its second SEC sweep ... Allowed three unearned runs at UAB (0.1, H, 3 R,3 BB) on 4/26 at the Hoover Met ...
Pitcher G-GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER BB K CG
Patrick Kelly (R) 6-0 0 0 0 3.97 11.1 8 6 5 6 7 0
Notes: Made UA debut against Winthop (1 IP, H, R, ER, BB) in 2006 season opener (2/11) ... Threw two scoreless innings at No. 6 Nebraska (3/11) ... Season high 4 IP vs. Troy (H, ER, BB, 3 K) on March 29th ... Yielded 2 ER and 4 H against Lipscomb in his last outing (3/29) ... Made SEC debut vs. Vanderbilt (1.2 IP, 2 H, ER,0 BB, 2 K) on 4/21 ... Picthed at UAB (0.2, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 K) at the Hoover Met on 4/26 ...
Pitcher G-GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER BB K CG
Jake McCarter (RH) 15-5 6 0 0 2.24 52.1 44 14 13 16 45 0
Notes: Lowest ERA (2.24) on the staff ... McCarter is 6-0 on the season ... He has compiled a 4-0 record and 2.89 ERA (28 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 12 BB, 17 K) in 5 GS ... He averages 83.4 pitches per start ... UA debut came against Samford (4.1 IP, 4 H, 5 K) where he earned his first collegiate win (2/14) ... First start came against Lipscomb (3 IP, H, BB, 2 K) on March 29th ... Combined with Josh Copeland on four-hit shutout of Miss. Valley State (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K) on 4/19 ... McCarter logged season-highs for IP and K en route to his sixth straight win ... Allowed season high five hits and walked three at UAB (5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) at the Hoover Met on 4/26 ... Threw two scoreless innings against Auburn (2 IP, H, 3 K) on 4/29 ... It was his first relief app and first SEC app since 3/24 vs. Ole Miss ...
Pitcher G-GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER BB K CG
Miers Quigley (L) 6-5 1 2 0 4.29 21.0 22 15 10 7 17 0
Notes: Has not pitched in three weeks (pulled muscle) ... Threw pen at LSU (4/16) and has been cleared to return to mound ... Could give UA left-hand presence in pen ... Made UA debut against Samford (4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, BB, 5 K) on Feb. 14 ... Suffered first loss against Memphis (3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) on Feb 21 ... Earned first win vs. No. 20 Southern Miss (7 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 K) on March 15th ... He last pitched against Lipscomb (2 IP, 2 H, 2 K) on March 29th ...
Pitcher G-GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER BB K CG
David Robertson (R) 21-0 3 3 7 3.41 37.0 23 15 14 20 48 0
Notes: Involved in all five decisions in UA's extra inning games this year (2-3) ... 2 extra inning wins vs. Ole Miss (3/25) and Auburn (4/28) ...3 extra inning losses to Nebraska (3/10), Miss. State (4/1) and South Carolina (4/7) ... Robertson opened the season by not allowing an earned run in first 9 G (17 IP) ... Allowed 14 ER in his last 20 IP (6.30 ERA) over his last 11 G ... Has allowed only one ER in his last 4 G (7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K) ... Tossed 3 scoreless innings (4 K) in season debut vs. WIN (2/13) ... Notched saves in back-to-back wins vs. Kent State (2/18-19) ... Season high 5 K vs. KSU (2/19) ... Earned wins over BSC (2/28) and Ole Miss (3/26) ... Struck out the side in 9th innings for saves against Appy State (3/3) and UGa (3/18) ... Notched 7th save in UA's win over No. 16 Vandy (1 IP, 1 K) on 4/23 ... Needed only six pitches ... Threw one scoreless inning at UAB (4/26) and needed only six pitches to retire the side in order ... Season-high four innings and seven strikeouts (4 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 7 K) vs. Auubrn (4/28) for his third win of the year ...
ALABAMA-ARKANSAS SERIES
*Alabama leads the all-time series with Arkansas, 30-15 (.667) since the first meeting in 1992.
*All 45 meetings between the two schools have taken place since Arkansas joined the SEC in the 1991-92 academic year.
*The Razorbacks have won the last two series with the Crimson Tide in 2004 and 2005.
*Arkansas took two of three from Alabama in the last series in Fayetteville in 2004 for its first series win over the Crimson Tide since 1995.
*The Razorbacks made its two series wins in a row last year in Tuscaloosa by winning two out of three at the Joe.
*The two teams also met in the 2005 SEC Tournament with Alabama eliminating Arkansas with a 5-4 win.
*The Razorbacks have won four of the last seven meetings with the Crimson Tide.
*Arkansas' current run comes on the heels of a period of series dominance by Alabama.
*From 1996-2003, the Crimson Tide posted a 21-3 (.875) record against the Razorbacks, including a 13-game winning streak (1998-2002).
*Alabama coach Jim Wells is 26-12 (.684) in his career against Arkansas. He owns a 26-10 (.722) record here at Alabama.
*Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn is 4-6 (.400) in his career against Alabama.
*Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn replaced Jim Wells at Northwestern State. Wells (1990-94) was at NSU for five years before taking the Alabama job.
*The day Wells was hired at Bama, Van Horn was leading Central Missouri State to the Division II national championship at Paterson Filed in Montgomery, Ala.
*Van Horn left NSU after two years and went to Nebraska before coming back to his alma mater last year.
*Wells and Van Horn have take five teams to the College World Series. Wells took Alabama to Omaha in 1996, 1997 and 1999, while Van Horn took Nebraska in 2001 and 2002.
*Both coaches have made back-to-back trips to the College World Series.
Scouting Report: Arkansas Razorbacks
*The No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks (31-15, 11-10 SEC) return home this weekend to host No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide in a crucial three-game SEC series at Baum Stadium.
*The Razorbacks have been away from home the last two weekends, playing at Miss. State and LSU. Arkansas also had a midweek road game at Oral Roberts this past Tuesday night in Tulsa and have played their last seven games on the road.
*Arkansas has battled the injury bug all season long and had just one bench player available during its three-game SEC at Miss. State (April 21-23) two weeks ago.
*Arkansas opened the year with a nine-game winning streak and won 16 of its first 17 games through March 12.
*Since then, the Hogs are 15-14 in their last 29 games. After claiming the first two games of the Kentucky series (April 14-15), UA is just 4-6 in the last 10 games.
*Arkansas has won four of seven SEC series this year. The series wins have come against Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Miss. State. The series losses have come to Florida, Georgia and LSU.
*The Razorbacks are hitting .286 (448-for-1566) on the season with 50 home runs and 253 RBI in 46 games.
*In SEC play, the Hogs are batting .272 (195-for-718) in 21 games, with 28 home runs and 108 RBI.
*Junior first baseman Danny Hamblin (Rowlett, Texas) is the only Arkansas player to start every games. Hamblin is batting .307 (55-for-179) and leads UA with 14 home runs and 59 RBI. His 59 RBI also leads the SEC.
*In SEC play, Hamblin is the second-leading hitter with a .313 (25-for-80) average with seven home runs and 27 RBI.
*Senior outfielder Craig Gentry (Fort Smith) is the leading hitter in all games and SEC play.
*Gentry is batting .342 (41-for-120) in 34 games with three home runs and 17 RBI despite a number of injuries.
*In SEC play, he is batting .353 (24-for-68) in 18 games, with two home runs and seven RBI.
*Senior outfielder Chris Hollensworth (El Dorado, Ark.) is second in the team and fourth in SEC play in hitting.
*Hollensworth is batting .338 (45-for-133) in 40 games, with two home runs and 16 RBI. In SEC play, he is hitting .297 19-for-64) in 19 games, with five home runs and 10 RBI.
*Junior outfielder Jake Dugger (Omaha, Neb.) is the third-leading hitter overall and in SEC play.
*Dugger is batting .321 (50-for-156) with nine home runs and 25 RBI in 45 games. In SEC play, he is batting .303 (23-for-76) with five home runs and 10 RBI in 21 games.
*The Razorbacks have a talented and deep pitching staff this season.
*The 12-man staff has compiled a 31-15 record and 3.59 ERA this season, with one complete game and an SEC-leading 16 saves.
*Arkansas pitchers have worked 408 2/3 innings and allowed 379 hits, 211 runs and 163 earned runs, with 129 walks and 330 strikeouts.
*In SEC play, the Hogs have compiled an 11-10 record and 4.63 ERA, with one complete game and five saves.
*The staff has worked 184 2/3 innings and allowed 201 hits, 119 runs and 95 earned runs, with 65 walks and 146 strikeouts.
*The ace of the staff sophomore left-hander Nick Schmidt (St. Louis, Missouri), who has compiled a 7-2 record and 2.68 ERA in 12 starts this year.
*Schmidt has logged 80 2/3 innings and allowed 57 hits, 27 runs and 24 earned runs, with 36 walks and 97 strikeouts.
*He is second in the league with 97 strikeouts this season.
*In SEC play, Schmidt is 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA in seven starts. He has 65 strikeouts in 50 innings in league play.
*Schmidt will open the series on the mound against Alabama.
*While the Saturday starter has yet to be announced, Arkansas will use sophomore right-hander Shaun Seibert (Edwardsville, Ill.) in the series finale.
*Seibert is 3-0 with a 2.76 ERA in 113 games. He has also made six starts.
*Seibert has worked 42 1/3 innings and allowed 33 hits, 16 runs and 13 earned runs, with nine walks and 45 strikeouts.
*In SEC play, he is 1-0 with a 4.71 ERA in seven starts.
*Senior left-hander Trey Holloway (Booneville, Ark.) is a candidate to start Saturday's game.
*Holloway (13 G, 7 GS, 4-0, 4.57 ERA) has worked 45 1/3 innings and allowed 43 hits, 29 runs and 23 earned runs, with 10 walks and 15 strikeouts.
*In seven SEC starts, he is 3-0 with a 5.12 ERA this year.
*Senior left-hander Devin Collis (St. Charles, Missouri) is one of the main guys out the pen and leads UA with seven saves.
*Collis (25 G, 6-2, 1.97 ERA, 7 SV) has worked 32 innings and allowed 21 hits, nine runs and seven earned runs, with nine walks and 18 strikeouts.
*He is 3-1 with a 1.88 ERA and three saves in 12 SEC games.
*Arkansas has also gotten good work from junior right-hander Daryl Maday (Bristol, Wisconsin) this season.
*Maday (14 G, 1 GS, 0-0, 2.21 ERA, 5 SV) has logged 20 1/3 innings and allowed 16 hits, eight runs and five earned runs, with seven walks and 17 strikeouts.
*Maday (5 G, 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1 SV) has appeared in only five SEC games.
*Arkansas has made 69 errors in 46 games (.961) and turned 38 double plays. In SEC, play the Hogs have made 34 errors (.958) and turned 26 double plays in 21 SEC games.
REMAINING SEC SCHEDULE
*Here is the remaining SEC baseball schedule for the 2006 season.
May 5-7
Alabama at Arkansas
LSU at Auburn
Florida at Miss. State
South Carolina at Georgia
Ole Miss at Kentucky
Vanderbilt at Tennessee
May 12-14
Florida at Alabama
Arkansas at Ole Miss
Georgia at Auburn
Vanderbilt at LSU
Miss. State at Kentucky
Tennessee at South Carolina
May 18-20
Alabama at Tennessee
Auburn at Arkansas
LSU at Florida
Kentucky at Georgia
Ole Miss at Miss. State
South Carolina at Vanderbilt
May 24-28
SEC Tournament (Hoover Met)
May 28
NCAA Regional Sites Announced
May 29
NCAA Selection Show (11:30 AM) (ESPN)
June 2-5
NCAA Regionals (Campus Sites)
BAMA OWNS 2-GAME LEAD IN SEC
*The Crimson Tide owns the best record in the Southeastern Conference with nine games to play.
*Alabama (15-6 SEC) won it sixth SEC series of the year last weekend with two wins over arch-rival Auburn to maintain its lead in the standings.
*The Crimson Tide holds a two-game lead over Kentucky (13-8), South Carolina (13-8) and Ole Miss (13-8).
*The Wildcats and Gamecocks share the lead in the SEC Eastern Division.
*Alabama holds a two-game lead over Ole Miss for the lead in the SEC Western Division.
*Alabama has three SEC series remaining in the 2006 regular season, including road treks to Arkansas (May 5-7) and Tennessee (May 18-20).
*UA's lone remaining home series is against Florida (May 12-14) next week.
*The SEC Eastern Division champion and Western Division champion are automatically the top two seeds at the SEC Tournament.
BAMA OFF TO 3RD BEST SEC START
*Alabama's 15-6 (.714) SEC record is the second-best start in the Wells era and the third-best start in Crimson Tide lore.
*The 2002 Alabama team owns the best 21-game SEC record with a 16-5 mark.
*The 1981 team has the second-best record with
