Baseball Team Hosts No. 15 Ole Miss
3/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 28, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -
Alabama Player Game-By-Game Stats 
OLE MISS REBELS (15-9, 3-3 SEC) vs. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (13-11, 2-4 SEC) Friday, March 28, 2008 - 6:35 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 4:05 p.m Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 2:05 p.m. Sewell-Thomas Stadium (6,118) - Tuscaloosa, Alabama
GAME INFORMATION Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network WACT, 1420 AM (Tuscaloosa) Chris Stewart and Vince Ferrara
Internet: www.rolltide.com
Alabama Starting Pitchers: Game 1 - RHP Austin Hyatt (6 G, 4 GS, 2-2, 3.55 ERA) Game 2 - RHP Austin Graham (5 G, 3 GS, 2-1, 3.47 ERA) Game 3 - Robert Phares (6 G, 3 GS, 1-1, 5.06 ERA)
Ole Miss Starting Pitchers: Game 1 - RHP Lance Lynn (5 GS, 4-0, 1.50 ERA) Game 2 - LHP Drew Pomeranz (7 G, 1-0, 1.56 ERA) Game 3 - RHP Cody Satterwhite (5 GS, 2-1, 4.91 ERA)
Promotions: Friday, March 28 Friday Night Fireworks
Saturday, March 29 Post-game autograph party with Tide players
Sunday, March 30 Kids Day Junior PA Announcer in 5th Inning Kids run the bases following the game
FIRST PITCH: The Alabama Crimson Tide plays host the 15th ranked Ole Miss Rebels in a three-game Southeastern Conference series this weekend at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The series opener is Friday, March 28 at 6:35 p.m. (CST). The teams will also play Saturday, March 29 at 4:05 p.m. (CST) and Sunday, March 30 at 2:05 p.m. (CST). Alabama enters the series riding a four-game winning streak, following a two-game sweep of Jacksonville State this week. The Crimson Tide posted a 12-6 win over the Gamecocks on Tuesday night in Tuscaloosa, as junior right fielder Kent Matthes had a career-high five RBI. Alabama beat JSU 5-0 on Wednesday night in Jacksonville as junior left-hander Miers Quigley fired his first career complete-game shutout at the Gamecocks. The complete game shutout was the first by Alabama since Wade LeBlanc beat Florida International on Feb. 24, 2006. The 5-0 win over JSU was the Alabama's first shutout since beating Nebraska 8-0 on March 9, 2007. Quigley has been involved in Alabama's last two shutouts, throwing a combined 16 scoreless innings in wins over Nebraska (2007) and Jax State (2008). Ole Miss has lost five of its last seven games and brings a three-game losing streak to Tuscaloosa. The Rebels suffered a 3-2 loss in 10 innings to Southern Miss on Tuesday night in Pearl, Miss., as Cody Stephens belted a walk-off home run. Ole Miss dropped two of three games at home last weekend to the surprising Florida Gators last weekend in Oxford.
HEAD COACH JIM WELLS: Alabama head coach Jim Wells has compiled a 567-283 (.667) record in 850 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 761-373 (.672) record in 1,133 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.
1,500 AND COUNTING: Alabama will play its 1,500th all-time game at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in the series opener with Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide has compiled a 1,047-450-2 (.699) record since the ballpark opened in 1948. Sewell-Thomas stadium celebrated its 60th birthday on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. The park originally opened on March 27, 1948 with a 5-2 win over Bradley. The Crimson Tide had a huge birthday celebration, including a post-game fireworks show last weekend against Vanderbilt. Alabama head coach Jim Wells is 367-106 (.776) all-time at the Joe. The Tide has compiled a 9-5 (.000) record here this season. Alabama defeated Ole Miss, 5-2, in the first SEC game at the Joe on April 5, 1948. The Crimson Tide posted its 300th (April 5, 1975) 1,000th (March 24, 2006) all-time wins at Sewell-Thomas Stadium against Ole Miss. The first-ever televised game from Tuscaloosa was against Ole Miss on April 13, 1981. Alabama and Ole Miss have played 123 all-time games here at Sewell-Thomas Stadium since their initial meeting in 1948. Alabama owns a 66-56-1 (.000) series lead here at the Joe. Ole Miss has played the third-most games of any UA opponent in stadium history, behind LSU (127) and Mississippi State (127).
OLE MISS SERIES: Alabama leads the all-time series with Ole Miss, 191-130-2 (.594) since the first meeting in 1895. The Ole Miss series is the second-oldest series in the Alabama record among active Southeastern Conference teams. Alabama and Vanderbilt is the oldest series, dating back to 1893. The Crimson Tide and Rebels first met in 1895, with Alabama claiming a 10-5 and 12-8 win in Meridian, Miss. Alabama won 26 of the first 29 meetings from 1895-1928. The Tide posted a 13-game winning streak from 1895-1907, including a pair of lopsided wins in 1902 (22-0 and 30-6). Ole Miss first series win came in 1907, with a 7-3 win in Tuscaloosa. Alabama posted a 14-game series winning streak from 1932-36 to take a commanding 48-6 series lead. Prior to World War II, Alabama held a 57-11 series lead over Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide dominated the 1940s (26-3) and held a series edge in the 1950s (16-14-1). The Rebels dominated the series in 1960s (28-14) and 1970s (33-25). From 1962-65, Ole Miss won eight straight games against Alabama. The Crimson Tide got back on the winning track in the 1980s (31-10-1) and held a slim series lead in the 1990s (17-16). Since 2000, Ole Miss owns a 16-11 series lead. The Crimson Tide and Rebels have split the last four regular season series. Ole Miss won two out of three last year in Oxford. Alabama swept Ole Miss in the last series in Tuscaloosa during the 2006 season. The two ties came in 1951 (3-3, 10 innings) in Tuscaloosa and 1981 (6-6) in Oxford. Coach Wells is 20-23 (.465) in his career against Ole Miss. He is 11-10 (.524) in games played in Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco is 15-9 (.625) against Alabama, including a 4-5 (.444) mark in Tuscaloosa. Wells has led Alabama to five series wins (13 series) since 1995. Bianco has led Ole Miss to four series wins (six total series) since 2001.
OLE MISS SCOUTING REPORT: Ole Miss (15-9, 3-3 SEC) has dropped five of its last seven games and brings a three-game losing streak to Tuscaloosa this weekend. The Rebels dropped a 3-2 decision to Southern Mississippi on Tuesday, March 25 when USM's Cody Stephen's slammed a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss. The Rebels dropped two of three last weekend at home to a surprising Florida Gators team. Ole Miss opened the season with nine straight wins and outscored the opposition, 105-33. The Rebels averaged 11.6 runs per game in those nine wins. Since March 5, the Rebels have gone 6-9 in their last 15 games and has outscored their opponents, 82-74. Ole Miss is averaging 5.4 runs in the last 15 games. In 24 games, Ole Miss is hitting .310 (275-for-886) with 26 home runs and 167 RBI. The Rebels are averaging 7.8 runs and 11.5 hits per game this season. Ole Miss leads the SEC in eight offensive categories, including batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs scored, hits, RBI, doubles and total bases. The Rebels are fourth in the league in home runs. Junior third baseman Cody Overbeck is the Rebels leading hitter with .398 (41-for-103) average with seven home runs and 24 RBI this season. In fact, Overbeck leads the team in eight offensive categories heading into the Alabama series. Senior outfielder/DH Fuller Smith is second on the team with a .392 (20-for-51) average with one home run and 11 RBI in 22 games, including nine starts. Junior outfielder Logan Power (23 GS, .369, 5 HR, 23 RBI) and freshman outfielder Matt Smith (20 G, .352, 6 HR, 15 RBI) are also among the Rebels top offensive threats. Junior catcher Brett Basham (.304,1 HR, 17 RBI) has driven in 17 runs this season from the ninth spot in the batting order. Ole Miss sports one of the league's most talented pitching staffs. The Rebels are 15-9 with a 3.40 ERA and four saves this season. UM pitchers have worked 217 innings and allowed 107 runs (82 ER) and 117 hits, with 228 strikeouts and 82 walks. Ole Miss ranks second in the SEC in strikeouts and ranks third in earned run average, fewest runs allowed and fewest walks allowed. The weekend rotation consists of junior RHP Lance Lynn (5 GS, 4-0, 1.50 ERA, 30 IP, 39 K), freshman LHP Drew Pomeranz (7 G, 1 GS, 1-0, 1.56 ERA, 17.1 IP, 26 K) and junior RHP Cody Satterwhite (5 GS, 2-1, 4.91 ERA). Sophomore LHP Nathan Baker (5 GS, 1-3, 5.32 ERA, 23.2 IP, 28 H) will move to the bullpen this weekend. Senior RHP Scott Bittle (10 G, 1-0, 1.12 ERA, 2 SV, 24 IP, 44 K) has been dominant out of the pen this season. Opponents are hitting .078 (6-for-78) against Bittle. Sophomore RHP Rory McKean (11 G, 2-0, 1.35 ERA, 26.2 IP, 23 K), a native of Montgomery, Ala., has also been solid out of the pen. Ole Miss is sixth in the SEC in fielding (.967, 31 errors) and third in double plays (24).
STREAKING TIDE: Alabama's last 16 games has been nothing but streaks. The Crimson Tide has a six-game winning streak, a six-game losing streak and a four-game losing streak. Alabama won six straight games from March 5-12, including a three-game sweep of Youngstown State (March 7-9). Alabama followed the six-game winning streak with a six-game losing (March 14-21), its longest losing streak since dropping seven straight games during the 2001 season. The Crimson Tide ended its six-game losing streak with a 9-7 win over No. 4 Vanderbilt on March 22. The win over Vanderbilt started the Tide's current four-game winning streak, including two wins over Vandy and Jacksonville State.
FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK: Alabama has won four straight games, including two wins over N0. 4 Vanderbilt (March 22-23) and two wins over Jacksonville State (March 25-26). The Tide is hitting .295 (41-for-139) during the streak, with five home runs and 30 RBI. Alabama is averaging 9 runs and 10.25 hits per game in the four wins. Avila is hitting .400 (6-for-15) with six runs scored, one home run and three RBI. May is hitting .385 (5-for-13) and has five runs scored and five walks. Odle has five hits and five RBI in the last four games. Matthes leads the team with eight RBI during the streak. Alabama opponents are hitting .201 (27-for-134) during the Tide's current winning streak with four home runs and 14 RBI. On the mound, Alabama is 4-0 with one save and 2.75 ERA, with two complete games and one shutout. The staff has worked 36 innings and allowed 16 runs (11 ER) and 27 hits, with 34 strikeouts and 17 walks. Alabama's starters are 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA during the winning streak, with two quality starts. The Tide starters have held opponents to a .208 batting average during the streak. UA opponents are 0-4 with a 7.91 ERA during the four-game losing streak. In 33 innings, opposing pitchers have allowed 36 runs (29 ER) and 41 hits, with 26 strikeouts and 17 walks.
MIDWEEK SHUTOUTS RARE: Alabama defeated Jacksonville State 5-0 on Wednesday, March 26 at Rudy Abbott Field in Jacksonville for just the 10th midweek shutout in the Jim Wells era. The JSU game marked the first time since April 19, 2006 the Crimson Tide had posted a midweek shutout. Alabama defeated Mississippi Valley State 5-0 for its last midweek shutout. Junior left-hander Miers Quigley threw a complete-game shutout in the win over Jax State, marking just the second midweek complete-game shutout in the Wells era, and first since the 1996 season. Corey Spiers fired a complete-game shutout at South Alabama on March 26, 1996 (exactly 12 years to the day) at Stanky Field in Mobile, Ala. Below is a look at all the midweek shutouts by the Crimson Tide since 1995. SCORING FIRST: Alabama has developed a scoring trend during its first 24 games of the 2008 season. The team that has scored has posted a 17-7 (.708) record. Alabama is 9-3 (.750) when scoring first, including a 2-1 loss to Vanderbilt on March 21. The Crimson Tide is 4-8 (.333) when opponents score first, including back-to-back wins against Vanderbilt on March 22-23. Alabama is 9-2 (.818) when scoring in the first inning. The Tide is 3-5 in games in which the opponent scores in the first inning. There have been six games in which neither team scored in the first inning. Alabama owns a 26-21 scoring edge in the first inning this season. In its 13 wins this season, Alabama has outscored the opposition 69-21 in the first four innings, including an 22-4 first inning scoring advantage. In its 11 losses, Alabama has been outscored 69-17 in the first four innings, including 17-4 in the first inning. UT Arlington scored seven first innings runs in a 12-8 win over Alabama on March 2. The Tide trailed Kentucky 12-0 after three innings on March 15 and trailed New Orleans 12-0 after 2 1/2 innings on March 18.
JAX STATE SERIES RECAP: Alabama swept a two-game midweek series with Jacksonville State, winning 12-6 in Tuscaloosa on March 25, and 5-0 in Jacksonville on March 26. In the Tide's 12-6 win on March 25, the teams combined for 19 walks, eight wild pitches, five errors and one hit batsman in the game. Junior RF Kent Matthes had a career-high five RBI for the Crimson Tide. Alabama also turned a season-high four double plays in the win. In Alabama's 5-0 win on March 26, junior LHP Miers Quigley threw his first career complete game shutout in the win. Quigley held JSU to four singles, with eight strikeouts and three walks. It was the first complete game shutout by an Alabama pitcher since Wade LeBlanc beat Florida International 1-0 on Feb. 24, 2006. Alabama had two shutouts in 2007, beating Georgia State, 7-0, and Nebraska, 8-0. In the win over Nebraska, Quigley threw seven shutout innings, giving him 16 scoreless innings in UA's last two shut outs. Jax State hit only .212 (14-for-66) in the two games against Alabama and rapped into six double plays.
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. Sophomore left fielder Brandon May (6-for-10, 2 R, RBI), freshman SS Josh Rutledge (7-for-13, 4 R) and freshman 2B Ross 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. Junior RHP Austin Hyatt (9 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) recorded his first career complete game in the series opener with Vanderbilt. Sophomore RHP Austin 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. Senior RHP Josh Copeland made two relief appearances and retired 10 of the 11 batters he faced with seven strikeouts.
HOME RUNS: Alabama has hit 28 home runs in its first 24 games of the 2008 season. The Crimson Tide has homered in 16 of 24 games, including a season-high four straight games from March 4-8. Alabama has hit 11 of its 28 home runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. Also, 11 of the 28 home runs have come with two strikes in the count. The Tide is 11-5 (.688) when hitting at least one home and 2-6 (.250) when failing to hit a home run. Alabama hit a season-high four home runs, including three in the seventh inning, in its 15-7 win over Youngstown State on March 7. Alabama's four home runs on March 7 were the most since the Tide hit four against Georgia State on Feb. 10, 2007. The Crimson Tide hit three home runs in the seventh inning on March 7, marking the first time UA hit three home runs in an inning in seven years. The last time UA hit three home runs in an inning came at Mississippi State on May 4, 2001 when Jeremy Brown, Aaron Clark and Beau Hearod homered in the fourth inning against Paul Maholm. The Tide's 28 home runs have been hit by 10 different players this season. Avila leads the team with seven home runs, including two home runs against North Alabama (March 11). He hit four home runs in a three-game stretch against UNA, Samford (March 12) and Kentucky (March 14). Matthes and Bentley are second on the team with five home runs each. Matthes hit a career-high two homers in the win over Youngstown State (March 7). Bentley added a career-high two home runs in the win over Samford (March 12). Freshman 2B Ross Wilson has the Tide's only grand slam of the season. Wilson's seventh inning grand slam against Youngstown State was the first by an Alabama player since Avila belted a grand slam at Mississippi State on May 17, 2007. A total of four 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. 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). Sophomore Jake Smith hit his first home run of the season against Vandy (March 22), to snap a 106 at-bat homer less streak. The Tide is 5-5 in games in which it does not allow a home run and 6-6 in games in which the opponent hits a home run. Alabama opponents have homered in 13 of 24 games this season, including five straight games from Feb. 29-March 5. The Tide allowed a season-high four home run in a 17-8 loss to New Orleans on March 19.
STARTERS: Alabama's starters are hitting .302 (246-for-814) with 27 home runs and 150 RBI in 24 games. The Crimson Tide has used 15 different starters this season. Four players - Avila, May, Matthes and Wilson - have started all 24 games this season. Bentley, Rutledge and Smith have started 23 games for the Tide. Bentley missed the UNO game on March 19 due to the death of his maternal grandfather. Rutledge did not play against UNO (March 19) for the first time this season. Smith missed the final game of the Cal Poly series (Feb. 23) due to illness. Opponents starters are hitting .259 (196-for-757) with 20 home runs and 112 RBI. On the mound, the Tide has used eight different starting pitchers this season. UA starters are 10-10 (.500) with two complete games, one shutout and a 5.65 ERA. The starters have worked 124 1/3 innings and allowed 92 runs (78 ER) and 130 hits, with 102 strikeouts and 61 walks. Opponents starters are 8-13 (.381) with a 6.89 ERA and one complete game.
RESERVES: The Crimson Tide bench is 6-for-28 (.214) with five runs scored, one double, one home run and four RBI this year. Alabama pinch-hitters are 2-for-17 (.118) this year. Juniors Tyler Odle (1-for-4) and Ryan Rhoden (1-for-3) have both of UA's pinch-hits this season. Odle's ninth-inning pinch-hit single at Kentucky on March 16 snapped the Tide's 0-for-14 slump at the plate for pinch-hitters. Rhoden tallied a two-run, pinch-hit single against Vanderbilt on March 22 to give the Tide an 8-5 lead in the seventh inning. Junior Vin Difazio is 0-for-5 (.000) as a pinch-hitter this season. Alabama has used 13 different relief pitchers this season. The Tide bullpen is 3-1 (.750) with four saves and a 3.71 ERA through 24 games. The bullpen has worked 85 innings and allowed 55 runs (35 ER) and 79 hits, with 87 strikeouts and 52 walks. UA opponents have compiled a 3-0 record with six saves and a 5.36 ERA our of the pen this year.
WINS: Alabama is batting .324 (146-for-450) in its 13 wins this season and is averaging 9.5 runs and 11.2 hits per game. The Crimson Tide has 47 extra base hits in its 13 wins this season, including 23 doubles and 21 home runs. Alabama has a 29-4 scoring advantage in the first two innings, including an 22-4 first inning edge. The Tide also owns a 20-1 scoring advantage in the seventh inning. Matthes (22), Avila (17) and May (16) have accounted for 55 RBI in the 13 wins this season. May his hitting a team-best .489 (22-for-45) with 15 runs scored, four doubles, one home run and 16 RBI. Rutledge is hitting .362 (21-for-58) with a team-high 17 runs scored and four RBI. Avila has six home runs and Matthes has added four round-trippers. On the mound, the Tide has a 2.82 ERA in its 13 wins and holds the opposition to a .197 batting average. Kilcrease (2-0, 0.00 ERA), Quigley (2-0, 1.12 ERA), Hyatt (2-0, 1.96 ERA), Graham (2-0, 2.40 ERA), Kebodeaux (2-0, 2.45 ERA) and Stroup (2-0, 3.31 ERA) have 12 of the 13 wins. Alabama is fielding .957 (22 errors) in its 13 wins and turned 12 double plays.
LOSSES: The Crimson Tide is hitting .270 (106-for-392) in its 11 losses this season and averages 4.7 runs and 9.6 hits per game. Alabama has been outscored 69-17 in the first four innings of the 11 losses this season, including a 17-4 deficit in the first inning; 15-3 in the second inning; 21-7 in the third inning and 16-3 in the fourth inning. Rutledge is the Tide's leading hitter with a .311 (14-fro-45) batting average with seven runs scored and three RBI. He is the only UA player hitting .300 or better in the 11 losses. Bentley leads the team with two home runs and eight RBI. Wilson also has eight RBI. Tide pitchers are 0-11 with a 7.35 ERA in the 11 losses. The staff has worked 94 1/3 innings and allowed 103 runs (77 ER) and 126 hits, with 79 strikeouts and 62 walks. Alabama opponents are hitting .324 in the 11 losses and averages 9.4 runs and 11.5 hits per game. Hyatt (0-2, 4.09 ERA), Kebodeaux (0-2, 6.00 ERA) and freshman RHP Jimmy Nelson (0-2, 15.43 ERA) have six of the 11 losses. Alabama is fielding .938 (28 errors) in its 11 losses, with eight double plays.
HOME GAMES: The Crimson Tide is 9-5 (.643) at home this season. The Crimson Tide has lost two home series to Cal Poly (Feb. 22-23) and New Orleans (March 18-19). Alabama posted a five-game home winning streak from March 5-12. In 14 home games, UA is batting .289 (138-for-477) with 16 home runs and 94 RBI. The Tide averages 7.5 runs and 10 hits per game at the Joe this season. UA opponents are hitting .246 (112-for-456) with nine home runs and 61 RBI. On the mound, Alabama is 8-5 with four saves and 4.08 ERA. The staff has worked 117 innings and allowed 80 runs (53 ER) and 112 hits, with 105 strikeouts and 53 walks. UA opponents are 5-8 with two saves and a 6.03 ERA this year.
MARCH RECORD: Alabama has posted a 172-85 (.669) record in the month of March under head coach Jim Wells. The Crimson Tide is 11-8 (.579) this season in March. The Crimson Tide's longest winning streak in the month of March was a 10-game streak from March 4-21, 2003. The Tide also had a nine-game winning streak from March 8-22, 2002. The longest losing streak in the month is four games from March 23-27, 2001. Alabama has never had a losing record in the month of March under coach Wells. Last year, Alabama was 9-9 in the month of March. As a team, the Tide hit .293 (180-for-615) in 18 games with 19 home runs and 93 RBI. Alabama averaged 5.6 runs and 10 hits per game last year in March. Bentley and Smith lead the Tide with four home runs and 17 RBI last season in March. Avila batted .329 (24-for-73) with three home runs and 15 RBI last year in March. The UA pitching staff was 9-9 with 4.01 ERA. The staff allowed 4.6 runs and 8.8 hits per game. Quigley was 3-0 with a 3.44 ERA in five starts. Stroup led the team with eight appearances last March.
ONE-RUN GAMES: Alabama has compiled a 110-89 (.553) record in 199 one-run games under Wells. The Tide is 0-2 (.000) this year, following losses to UT Arlington (10-9) on Feb. 28 and Vanderbilt (2-1) on March 21. Alabama posted a 5-8 record in one-run games last season. Overall, Wells coached teams are 148-113 (.567) in 261 one-run games. He was 38-23 (.623) in one-run games at Northwestern State.
EXTRA INNINGS: Alabama is 64-60-3 (.516) in extra inning games. The Tide is 21-22 (.488) in extra inning games under Coach Wells, including a 3-4 mark last season.
DOUBLE DIPPING: Alabama has compiled a 215-10 (.956) record under since 1995 when scoring 10 or more runs in a game. The Crimson Tide is 5-0 (1.000) this season when scoring 10 or more runs and owns a 31-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 250-13 (.951) all-time record in 263 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 95-3 (.969) 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).
