Crimson Tide Opens Baseball Practice Friday
1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? After three weeks of individual drills, the University of Alabama baseball team will hold its first practice of the preseason on Friday, February 1, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The Crimson Tide returns 16 lettermen and seven starters from last year’s team, including junior catcher Alex Avila (57 games, .296 average, 14 HR, 61 RBI), a 2008 Brooks Wallace Award Candidate.
Senior first baseman Matt Bentley (53 G, .299, 12 HR, 36 RBI), sophomore second baseman Brandon May (49 G, .264, 0 HR, 13 RBI) and sophomore third baseman Jake Smith (40 G, .246, 6 HR, 29 RBI) also return on the infield, along with junior outfielders Kent Matthes (51 G, .307, 8 HR, 45 RBI) and Ryan Rhoden (43 G, .297, 2 HR, 16 RBI) and junior catcher Kyle Moore (31 G, .200, 2 HR, 12 RBI).
“We have had some really good work the last three weeks,” Alabama head coach Jim Wells said. “I think we have shown improvement each day. We have a lot of veteran position players and some freshmen that will play and be really good players this year.”
Freshmen Ross Wilson (Hoover High School) and Josh Rutledge (Cullman High School) will make an immediate impact for the Tide this season.
On the mound, the Tide returns five pitchers with SEC experience, including seniors Josh Copeland (27 G, 1-2, 4 SV, 2.97 ERA) and Will Stroup (24 G, 4 GS, 3-1, 2 SV, 4.65 ERA) and juniors Miers Quigley (16 G, 15 GS, 4-7, 4.88 ERA), Austin Hyatt (16 G, 3 GS, 5-1, 2 SV, 3.07 ERA) and Casey Kebodeaux (18 G, 10 GS, 3-4, 5.06 ERA).
In addition, sophomore Del Howell (Tuscaloosa Academy) is expected to join newcomers Nathan Kilcrease (Glenwood Academy), Patrick Nappi (Shelton State CC), Jimmy Nelson (Niceville High School) and Robert Phares (Shelton State CC)
in the rotation.
“We don’t have that No. 1-type starter, like a (Lance) Cormier, (Wade) LeBlanc or a (Tommy) Hunter, but the group as a whole is a lot better,” Wells added. “We have some depth on the mound and some really good arms.”
The Crimson Tide will hold its preseason media day Friday beginning at 12:15 p.m. at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Coach Wells and selected players will be available for interviews. The team will hold its first practice at 2 p.m.
Alabama will hold its first preseason scrimmages Saturday and Sunday, with each pitcher throwing three innings each. The team will practice on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m., followed by a 12-inning scrimmage at 11 a.m. The Tide will practice on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m., followed by a 12-inning scrimmage at 2 p.m. All practices and scrimmages are open to the public.
UA
