Alabama Takes on Kentucky in SEC Tournament Action

May 20, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama makes its 21st all-time appearance at the 2008 Southeastern Conference Tournament when the Crimson Tide takes on the Kentucky Wildcats at 8 p.m. (CDT) on Wednesday, May 21 at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala.

Alabama finished second in the SEC Western Division and tied for fourth with Kentucky in the overall SEC standings. The Crimson Tide won its last five SEC series, including series wins over Mississippi State (April 19-20), Auburn (April 25-27), Arkansas (May 2-4), No. 22 Florida (May 9-11) and No. 7 Georgia (May 16-17) to reach the tournament field. The Crimson Tide is playing in its fourth straight SEC Tournament, dating back the 2005 season. Only South Carolina and Ole Miss have longer streaks. The Gamecocks are making their 12th straight appearance, while the Rebels are in for the sixth straight year.

Alabama won seven of 10 conference series, the second-best record in the league this season. Georgia won eight of 10 series en route to the SEC Championship, but lost a home series to Alabama to end the regular season. Alabama started the season with an 0-4 conference record, but rebounded to post a 16-10 (.615) record in the last 26 league games. The Tide's record was the third best in the league over the final 26 games behind LSU (17-8-1) and Georgia (16-9-1).

HEAD COACH Jim Wells: Alabama head coach Jim Wells has compiled a 586-296 (.664) record in 882 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 780-385 (.670) record in 1,165 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.

SEC TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: The 2008 SEC Tournament will be televised live by CSS Sports HD and FSN South HD. CSS will televised all four games on Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 22, plus the if necessary games on Saturday, May 24. FSN South will carry the games on Friday, May 23, Saturday, May 24 and the SEC Championship game on Sunday, May 25. All 15 games will be aired XM satellite radio (channel 199).

SEC TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS: The Alabama baseball team will be housed at the Wynfrey Hotel during the 2008 SEC Baseball Tournament. The telephone number is (205) 987-1600.

STORYLINES: Here are some feature ideas while covering the Alabama baseball team during the 2008 post-season.

*After an 0-4 start in SEC, Alabama won 15 of its last 25 conference games to earn the No. 6 seed here the 2008 SEC Tournament. The Crimson Tide won its last four series against Mississippi State, Auburn, Arkansas and No. 22 Florida. The Crimson Tide also won three SEC series against ranked teams, including No. 4 Vanderbilt (March 21-23), No. 15 Ole Miss (March 28-30) and No. 22 Florida (May 9-11).

*Assistant coach B.J. Green was diagnosed with lymphatic leukemia almost two years ago and after months of chemotherapy he was placed on medical leave in January as he prepared for a bone marrow transplant. After several setbacks the last few months, Green was admitted to UAB Medical Center on May 7 and had a successful bone marrow transplant on May 15. He remains in the hospital and the few days following the transplant are the most critical as his body adjusts to the new stem cells. The Crimson Tide coaching staff and players have inscribed "BJ" on their caps for the 2008 season and Green's No. 12 jersey hangs in the dugout during each game in the his honor.

*Freshman second baseman Ross Wilson starred on the popular MTV mini-series "Two-A-Days" during the 2006 and 2007 seasons while the starting quarterback at Hoover High School. Wilson led the Bucs to the 2005 Class 6A state championship and lost in the title game in 2006. He is the younger brother of Crimson Tide senior quarterback, John Parker Wilson. His mom, Susan Ingram Wilson, is a former Crimson Tide cheerleader, who was on the squad in 1979 when the Tide went 12-0 and won Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's sixth national title at Alabama.

*Freshman shortstop Josh Rutledge led the SEC in hits during the 2008 regular season. He had 88 hits in 53 regular season games for the Crimson Tide. Kentucky's Sawyer Carroll finished second with 86 hits in 55 games. In SEC play, Rutledge led the league with 51 hits in 29 conference games. Georgia's Ryan Peisel was second with 45 his. Rutledge his safely in 47 of 53 games this year, including 27 of 29 SEC games. His older brother, Michael, is a senior third baseman at Samford.

*Junior catcher Alex Avila's father, Al, is the Assistant General Manager and Vice President of the Detroit Tigers. Avila helped build the Tigers team that won the 2006 American League pennant and lost to St. Louis in the World Series. Avila also served in the same capacity with the Florida Marlins and was the architect of the Marlins 1997 World Series championship team.

TIDE EARNS NO. 5 SEED AT SEC TOURNEY: Alabama is the No. 5 seed at the 2008 SEC Tournament (May 21-25) this week at Regions Park, marking the third time the Tide has been the fifth seed at the tournament. The Crimson Tide was the No. 5 seed in 1998 and 2005. Alabama is 2-4 (.333) all-time in SEC tourney play as the No. 5 seed. The Crimson Tide closed the season with five straight SEC series wins, including wins over No. 22 Florida and No. 7 Georgia the final two weekends of the regular season.

SEC TOURNAMENT STREAKS: Alabama is making its fourth straight SEC Tournament appearance, which is the third-longest active streak behind South Carolina (12) and Ole Miss (6). Alabama has made the tournament every year since 2005. The last time UA did not make the tournament was 2004. Overall, Alabama has qualified for the SEC Tournament 12 times in Coach Wells 14 seasons at UA. The Tide also failed to make the tourney in 2001 despite a 15-15 record. The 2001 Alabama team is the only .500 under the current tournament format not to make the SEC Tournament.

SEC TOURNAMENT HISTORY: Alabama will be making its 28th SEC post-season appearance at the 2008 SEC Tournament at Regions Park. The Crimson Tide has compiled a 47-40 (.540) all-time record in SEC post-season games. The 28 post-season appearances includes six SEC Championship series, a best-of-three series between the Eastern Division and Western Division champions, and 21 SEC Tournament berths. Alabama's six championship series appearances came in 1950, 1955, 1957, 1968, 1973 and 1974. The 2008 SEC Tournament will be Alabama's 21st appearance under the current tournament setting. The Crimson Tide has compiled a 37-33 (.529) record since the tournament's inception in 1977, including seven championships. Alabama took home SEC Tournament crowns in 1983, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003. Alabama owns a winning record against seven of the 11 league teams in SEC Tournament play. The Crimson Tide has a losing record against both LSU (5-6) and Ole Miss (1-5) in SEC Tournament play. The Tide has split two meetings with Georgia and has never faced Vanderbilt under the current format. Alabama has lost its last three SEC Tournament games, including an 0-2 finish last season against Arkansas and Florida. Ole Miss eliminated Alabama in both 2005 and 2006.

Jim Wells SEC TOURNAMENT HISTORY: Alabama head coach Jim Wells has led the Tide to a 32-14 (.696) record in his 12 SEC Tournament appearances since 1995. Wells has guided the Tide to SEC Tournament championships in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003. Alabama's presence in the SEC Tournament was basically non-existent before Wells arrival in 1995. The Crimson Tide posted a 5-19 (.208) record in SEC Tournament play in 10 appearances from 1977-94. Alabama lost a school-record 10 consecutive SEC Tournament games from 1986-94. Since Wells' arrival in 1995, Alabama has been a fixture in the SEC Tournament, making 12 appearances and winning an SEC record six championships. Wells owns a winning SEC Tournament record against every team with the exception of Ole Miss (1-3).

ALABAMA AT REGIONS PARK: Alabama may as well call Regions Park (formerly known as the Hoover Met), its home away from home. The Crimson Tide has had a tremendous amount of success at the ballpark since its opening in 1988. Alabama has compiled a 31-16 (.660) record at Regions Park since its initial game during the 1989 season. Alabama beat UAB, 14-3, on April 27, 1989 in its in initial game in Hoover and has enjoyed much success ever since. Regions Park is also the home to the 2008 SEC Baseball Tournament (May 21-25) and the Crimson Tide has captured four SEC Tournament titles (1996, 1999, 2002 and 2003) in Hoover under Coach Wells. Alabama is 6-4 (.600) in 10 regular-season games at Regions Park, including a 5-3 (.625) mark against the UAB Blazers. Alabama is 25-12 (.676) in SEC Tournament games at Regions Park. The Crimson Tide has a three-game losing streak at Regions Park, following its 8-5 loss to UAB on April 2, 2008. The Tide also has a three-game SEC Tournament losing streak (Ole Miss, Arkansas and Florida), dating back to the 2006 SEC Tournament.

MINOR LEAGUE PARKS: Alabama has played in 22 different professional baseball stadiums, including 20 minor league stadiums and two major league parks in its baseball history. The Crimson Tide has played in five different minor league parks this season, including Dr Pepper Ballpark (Frisco, Texas), Riverwalk Stadium (Montgomery, Ala.), Regions Park (Hoover, Ala.) and Trustmark Park (Pearl, Miss.). The Tide has played in all five of the existing minor league ballparks in the state of Alabama, including Rickwood Field (Birmingham), Regions Park (Hoover), Joe Davis Stadium (Huntsville), Hank Aaron Stadium (Mobile) and Riverwalk Stadium (Montgomery). Alabama has also played several games at Stanky Field in Mobile. The home of the South Alabama Jaguars, Stanky Field also served as the home stadium of the Mobile Bay Sharks in the Texas-Louisiana League in the late 1990s. There have been several other minor league stadiums in the state of Alabama, most notably Bloch Park (Selma), Eagle Stadium (Ozark) and Rams Field (Anniston), but the Tide has not appeared at any of those parks.

ALABAMA VS. SEC CHAMPS: Alabama closed the 2008 regular season at SEC Champion Georgia last weekend (May 15-17) in Athens, marking the first time since 1989 that the Tide played the regular-season champion on the final weekend. The Crimson Tide closed the 1989 season at league champion Mississippi State and won two of three games from the top-ranked Bulldogs. Alabama was also involved in the SEC Championship race in 1996, 1997, 2002 and 2006, heading into the final weekend. The Tide swept Auburn to claim a share of the 1996 SEC Championship and lost to LSU on the day of the 1997 season, giving the Tigers the outright league title. In 2002, Alabama was swept in the final regular-season series at LSU to give South Carolina the SEC Championship. In 2006, Alabama swept Tennessee in Knoxville on the last weekend of the regular season and Georgia won two of three from Kentucky in Athens, as the Tide and Wildcats shared the regular season crown. Since 1995, Alabama has won eight of the 14 regular-season series with SEC champion. Here is a year-by-year look at the Tide's success against the league champs in the Wells era.

Year SEC Champion Series vs. Alabama

1995 Tennessee Alabama won 2 of 3

1996 Alabama NA

Florida Alabama won 2 of 3

LSU Alabama won 2 of 3

1997 LSU Alabama won 2 of 3

1998 Florida Alabama swept 2-game series

1999 Arkansas Alabama swept 3-game series

2000 South Carolina Alabama was swept in 3-game series

2001 Georgia Alabama won 2 of 3

2002 South Carolina Alabama lost 2 of 3

2003 LSU Alabama lost 2 of 3

2004 Georgia Alabama lost 2 of 3

Arkansas Alabama lost 2 of 3

2005 Florida Alabama lost 2 of 2

2006 Alabama NA

Kentucky Alabama and Kentucky did not play

2007 Vanderbilt Alabama lost 2 of 3

2008 Georgia Alabama won 2 of 3

UA IS ONE OF SEC'S HOTTEST TEAMS ENTERING SEC TOURNEY: Alabama put together an amazing run to end the 2008 regular season. The Crimson Tide closed the season with five straight series wins over Mississippi State, Auburn, Arkansas, No. 22 Florida and No. 7 Georgia. Alabama won its last two road series at Arkansas (May 2-4) and Georgia (May 16-17). The Crimson Tide finished the year with back-to-back series wins over No. 22 Florida and No. 7 Georgia. The Crimson Tide posted a 16-10 (.615) record in its final 26 SEC games, the third-best mark in the league during that span. Only LSU (17-8-1) and Georgia (16-9-1) had better conference records since March 22. In its last 26 SEC games, Alabama batted .312 (297 for 951) with 45 home runs and 178 RBI. UA averaged 7.6 runs and 11.2 hits per game in league play. Freshman shortstop Josh Rutledge led the team with a .422 (49 for 116) average in 26 games, with 27 runs and 12 RBI. Sophomore left fielder Brandon May hit .349 (38 for 109) with six home runs and 17 RBI in 26 games. The Tide also won seven one-run games in league play since March 22. On the mound, Alabama was 16-10 (.615) with six saves and a 5.71 ERA. Sophomore RHP Austin Graham was 5-0 with three saves and 5.79 ERA in 14 appearances since March 22. Senior LHP Will Stroup was 3-2 with a 2.12 ERA (29.2 IP, 7 ER) in 14 appearances for the Tide. The UA starters are 5-7 (.417) with a 6.66 ERA in the last 26 conference games. The bullpen has played a huge role in the Tide's recent success. UA relievers are 11-3 (.788) with seven saves and 4.00 ERA since March 21. Senior left-hander Will Stroup (14 G, 3-2, 2.12 ERA), freshman Jimmy Nelson (3 G, 1-0, 7.59 ERA), senior right-hander Josh Copeland (15 G, 3-0, 3.54 ERA, 3 SV) and sophomore right-hander Austin Graham (11 G, 4-0, 4.88 ERA, 3 SV) have had the majority of the innings.

TIDE WINS SEVEN SEC SERIES: Alabama won seven of its 10 SEC series this season, the second-most series wins among the 12 conference teams. Georgia won eight conference series en route to the 2008 SEC Championship. Alabama earned series win over No. 4 Vanderbilt, No. 15 Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn, Arkansas, No. 22 Florida and No. 7 Georgia. The three series losses to Kentucky, LSU and Tennessee were all on the road.

PERFECT AT HOME: Alabama and South Carolina were the only two SEC teams to win all five home conference series this season. The Crimson Tide earned home series wins over No. 4 Vanderbilt, No. 15 Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn and No. 22 Florida. The Tide posted a 10-5 (.667) home record in 2008 and has won eight straight home SEC series, dating back to last year. Alabama spoiled Georgia's bid for a perfect home SEC season, beating the No. 7 Bulldogs two out of three on the final weekend of the regular season. Georgia, Florida and Kentucky all won four home SEC series this year.

HOME GAMES: The Crimson Tide is 21-9 (.700) at home this season. Alabama has won six of its eight home series this season, including all five SEC series against No. 4 Vanderbilt, No. 15 Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn and No. 22 Florida. The two home series losses came to Cal Poly (Feb. 22-23) and New Orleans (March 18-19). The Crimson Tide posted a five-game home winning streak from March 5-12. In 30 home games this season, Alabama is hitting .304 (309 for 1016) with 32 home runs and 198 RBI. Hitting Leaders: Rutledge (.392, 47-120, 32 R, 14 RBI), May (.330, 38-115, 26 R, HR, 22 RBI) and Wilson (.305, 36-118, 26 R, 4 HR, 18 RBI). Alabama pitchers are 21-9 (.700) with a 4.03 ERA and seven saves this season. The staff has worked 270 innings and allowed 159 runs (121 ER) and 288 hits, with 229 strikeouts and 108 walks. Pitching Leaders: Kilcrease (8 G, 1 GS, 3-0, 1.21 ERA), Copeland (12 G, 2-0, 2.30 ERA, 3 SV) and Stroup (10 G, 2 GS, 2-0, 3.30 ERA). UA opponents are 9-21 (.300) with 6.99 ERA at the Joe this season, with two saves. Alabama is fielding .961 (46 errors) at home this season.

WELLS' SEC HOME RECORD: Alabama is 137-69 (.665) in SEC home games in the Wells era. Alabama has recorded double-digit home wins seven times, including a 10-5 (.667) mark this season. The Crimson Tide has series wins over No. 4 Vanderbilt, No. 15 Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn and No. 22 Florida. The Crimson Tide posted a glistening 13-2 SEC home record in 1999 and 2002. Overall, Alabama has won 53 of the 69 SEC home series (76.8 percent) in the Wells era. The Tide won all five SEC home series in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006 and 2008. In fact, Alabama won 18 consecutive SEC home series from 1996-2000. Tennessee snapped the streak by winning two of three at the Joe from April 13-15, 2000. The Tide has had one only losing SEC home record under Wells, going 4-11 (.267) in 2004 when it lost all five home series.

SEC HOME SUCCESS: With four SEC series wins this season, Alabama has won 18 of its last 20 SEC home series, dating back to the 2005 season. The Crimson Tide has also won eight straight SEC home series, dating back to the 2007 season. The current streak includes series wins over Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn and Florida. Since 1995, Alabama has won 29 of its 37 SEC series against Eastern Division teams. The Crimson Tide has won 10 straight SEC home series against Eastern Division foes, dating back to the 2005 season. From 1995-2000, Wells guided the Tide to 13 straight home series wins against Eastern Division teams. Since 1995, Alabama has won 24 of its 34 home series against Western Division teams and has won seven of its last eight series, dating back to the 2006 season. From 1996-2000, Wells directed UA to 11 straight home series wins over SEC Western Division clubs.

ROAD KILL: Alabama had the second-most SEC road series wins in the league this season, winning on the road at Arkansas and No. 7 Georgia. The Georgia Bulldogs led the league by winning four its five SEC road series, losing only to Alabama on the final weekend of the regular season. Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU and Vanderbilt also won two home SEC series. Mississippi State and Tennessee lost all five SEC road series this season.

ROAD GAMES: Alabama is 10-13 (.435) on the road this season. The Crimson Tide closed the year by winning five of its last seven road games, including SEC series wins over Arkansas (May 2-4) and No. 7 Georgia (May 16-17). Alabama was the only team in the SEC to win a series at Foley Field in Athens, Ga., this season. The Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs twice on the final weekend of the regular season. The Tide is hitting .317 (274 for 863) on the road this year, with 41 home runs and 156 RBI. The Tide averages 7.4 runs and 11.3 hits per game. Hitting Leaders: May (.400, 38-95, 25 R, 8 HR, 23 RBI), Avila (.379, 36-95, 23 R, 9 HR, 33 RBI), Rutledge (.358, 38-106, 18 R, 12 RBI). Matthes (.337, 31-92, 4 HR, 12 RBI) and Kubal (.333, 22-66, 2 HR, 9 RBI). Wilson added seven home runs and 19 RBI in 23 road games. The pitching staff is 10-13 with one complete game, one shutout, four saves and a 6.46 ERA. The staff has worked 196 1/3 innings and allowed 166 runs (141 ER) and 240 hits with 156 strikeouts and 118 walks. UA opponents average 7.2 runs and 10.2 hits per game. Pitching Leaders: Stroup (12 G, 2 GS, 3-3, 4.68 ERA), Miers Quigley (7 G, 4 GS, 2-1, 5.45 ERA) and Austin Graham (11 G, 2 GS, 1-1, 3 SV, 5.61 ERA). The Tide is fielding .957 (37 errors) on the road with 22 double plays.

WELLS' ROAD RECORD: Alabama is 147-148 (.498) in 295 road games under Coach Wells since the 1995 season. The Crimson Tide is 10-13 (.435) on the road this season. UA has had only one winning road record in the last five season, posting an 11-10 (.523) record on the road en route to the 2006 SEC Championship. Last year, Alabama was 7-12 (.368) on the road. As a team the Tide hit .234 (151-for-464) on the road in 2007 with 16 home runs and 68 RBI. Matthes hit .267 (16-for-60) on the road last season with seven RBI to lead all Tide returnees. Avila (.216, 5 HR, 16 RBI) and Bentley (.208, 6 HR, 11 RBI) combined for 11 home runs and 27 RBI on the road last season. On the mound, the Tide went 7-12 with three saves and a 5.57 ERA. Hyatt was 2-0 with one save and 0.00 ERA in three road games last season. He worked six innings and allowed no runs and five hits, with seven strikeouts and three walks.

WELLS' SEC ROAD RECORD: Alabama is 100-107 (.483) in SEC road games under Coach Wells. The Crimson Tide is 6-9 (.400) in SEC road games this season with a series wins at Arkansas (May 2-4) and No. 7 Georgia (May 16-17). The Tide has series losses at No. 4 Kentucky, LSU and Tennessee. Alabama has had a winning road record six times in SEC play since 1995, but only one winning road mark in the last eight years. The Crimson Tide was 8-7 (.533) in SEC road games en route to the 2006 SEC Championship. Alabama was 6-9 (.400) in SEC road games season, winning its final road series at Mississippi State. Dating back to last season, Alabama had lost seven of its last eight SEC road series.

ROAD WARRIORS: Alabama played 23 road games this season, the most since playing 24 road games during the 1994 season. The Crimson Tide opened the season by playing nine of its first 17 games away from home. Alabama played eight road games in a 10-game stretch from April 2-16. In addition to its 15 SEC road games, Alabama played three games at the 2008 Southwest Diamond Classic and then one game at UT Arlington before returning to Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide will also play six in-state road game this season against Troy (Riverwalk Stadium - Montgomery), at North Alabama, at Jacksonville State, UAB (Regions Park - Hoover), at South Alabama and at Samford. The Tide also plays Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss. The Crimson Tide closed out the regular season by playing seven of its last 10 games on the road, including SEC series at Arkansas (May 2-4) and Georgia (May 15-17).

NEUTRAL SITES: Alabama is 58-30 (.659) in neutral sites games under Coach Wells since the 1995 season. The Crimson Tide is 1-2 (.333) in three neutral site games this season against UT Arlington, Nevada and Southern Mississippi. Alabama took on UTA and Nevada at the 2008 Southwest Diamond Classic in Frisco, Texas. Alabama lost to UTA, 10-9, and defeated Nevada, 7-4. The Crimson Tide was the designated home team against Southern Miss at Trustmark Park on April 16. USM won 6-3. Alabama also played Troy at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery on March 4 and UAB at Regions Park on April 2, but both of those games counted as road games for Alabama. Year-By-Year Neutral Site Record: 1995 (6-4); 1996 (10-3); 1997 (8-2); 1998 (2-3); 1999 (8-2); 2000 (5-4); 2001 (0-0); 2002 (6-1); 2003 (7-2); 2004 (0-2); 2005 (3-2); 2006 (2-2); 2007 (0-1) and 2008 (1-2).

SEC RECAP: Alabama posted a 16-14 (.533) record in conference play this season. The Crimson Tide has had a winning conference record in 12 of the 14 seasons under Coach Wells. The Crimson Tide won seven of its 10 SEC series, including the last five to end the regular season. Alabama closed the year with back-to-back series wins over No. 22 Florida and No. 7 Georgia. In SEC games only, Alabama hit .303 (329 for 1085) with 48 home runs and 186 RBI in 30 games. The Tide led the league with 48 home runs and finished second in hitting and RBI. Alabama also led the league with 329 hits, 543 total bases and a .500 slugging percentage in SEC play. The Crimson Tide was second in runs scored (208), triples (10) and at-bats (1085). UA was third with a .375 on-base mark. Alabama pitchers led the SEC with seven balks and ranked 11th with a 5.85 ERA. The Crimson Tide defense was fifth with a .969 fielding mark.

*Alabama started slow, losing three of its first five SEC series to Kentucky, LSU and Tennessee ... The Tide hit .275 (144 for 523) with 19 home runs and 67 RBI ... UA averaged 4.9 runs and 9.6 hits per game in the first 15 SEC games ... Rutledge was the leading hitter with a .403 (27 for 67) with 10 runs and five RBI ... May hit .377 (20 for 53) with four home runs and eight RBI ... The pitching staff was 6-9 (.400) with one complete game, three saves and 5.68 ERA ... Josh Copeland was 2-0 with three saves and 0.00 ERA (15.2 IP, 0 ER) in nine appearances ... Alabama made 19 errors in its first 15 SEC games.

*The Crimson Tide finished strong, winning its last five SEC series ... In its last 15 SEC games, Alabama hit. 330 (185 for 561) with 29 home runs and 119 RBI ... UA averaged nine runs and 12.3 hits per game during the last half of the SEC season ... Rutledge hit .409 (27 for 66) with 18 runs and eight RBI in the last 15 league games to pace the Tide offense ... Avila (.379, 6 HR, 22 RBI), May (.362, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and Wilson (.355, 7 HR, 16 RBI) all hit over .350 in the last 15 SEC games for the Tide ... On the mound, UA was 10-5 (.667) with three saves and a 6.09 ERA in the last half of the conference season ... In 10 appearances, Graham posted a 4-0 record with three saves and 4.71 ERA ... He recorded 25 strikeouts in 21 innings.

*Alabama posted a 9-6 (.600) record against SEC Western Division and won four of the five series ... The only series loss came at LSU (April 4-6) ... The Tide hit .299 (159 for 532) with 22 home runs and 94 RBI ... UA averaged 7.1 runs and 10.7 hits against Western Division teams this season ... Rutledge scorched the Western Division with a .452 (28 for 62) batting average ... He added 16 runs and eight RBI in 15 games ... The pitching staff was 9-6 (.600) with three saves and 4.70 ERA ... Stroup posted a 2-1 record and 0.93 ERA in eight games against Western Division teams ... Josh Copeland went 3-0 with one save and 3.55 ERA in seven games ... Austin Graham posted a 1-0 record with two saves and 5.29 ERA in eight appearances ... He recorded 22 strikeouts in 17 innings.

*Alabama posted a 7-8 (.467) against Eastern Division teams this season, with series wins over No. 4 Vanderbilt, No. 22 Florida and No. 7 Georgia ... Alabama was 6-3 (.667) against those three teams ... The Tide hit .308 (170 for 552) against Eastern Division teams, with 26 home runs and 96 RBI ... The Tide averaged 6.8 runs and 11.3 hits in the five series ... May was the leading hitter with .466 (27 for 58) average, with 12 runs, four home runs and 10 RBI ... He homered in all three road series at Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia ... Rutledge his .366 (26 for 71) against the Eastern Division with 12 runs and five RBI ... Avila batted .338 (22 for 65) with 16 runs, seven home runs and 17 RBI ... He averaged more than one hit, one run and one RBI per game against the division ... Alabama pitchers with 7-8 with one complete game (Hyatt), three saves and 7.12 ERA ... Graham was 4-1 with one save and 6.49 ERA in seven appearances ... Alabama made only 22 errors in 21 games against the east.

*Alabama won all five home SEC series and has won eight in-a-row dating back to last year ... The Tide picked up home series wins over No. 4 Vanderbilt, No. 15 Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn and No. 22 Florida ... The Tide hit .298 (154 for 516) in 15 home games with 18 home runs and 91 RBI ... Rutledge hit .500 (30 for 60) in 15 conference home games with 17 runs scored and eight RBI ... Wilson hit .305 (18 for 59) with three home runs and eight RBI ... The pitching staff was 10-5 with a 4.27 ERA in 15 home games ... The Tide had one complete game (Austin Hyatt) and three saves ... Graham went 4-0 with one save and 4.88 ERA in eight SEC home games ... The Tide made 15 errors in 15 games.

*The Tide was 6-9 (.400) on the road in SEC play, but closed the season with back-to-back series wins at Arkansas and No. 7 Georgia ... Alabama hit .308 (175 for 568) in SEC road games with 30 home runs and 95 RBI ... Alabama hit 18 home runs in its last six SEC road games at Arkansas (8) and Georgia (10) ... May was the Tide's leading hitter with a .435 (27 for 67) average with seven home runs and 15 RBI ... He has hit eight of his nine home runs this season away from home, including all seven in SEC play ... Avila (.358, 6 HR, 15 RBI) and Rutledge (.329, 5 RBI) also hit better than .325 in SEC road games ... The pitching staff was 6-9 with three saves and a 7.59 ERA ... Stroup (9 G, 2-3, 6.60 ERA) had two wins and Graham (1-1, 2 SV, 7.45 ERA) has one win ... UA made 20 errors in 15 SEC road games ... The Tide made 19 errors in 15 games.

*Alabama won seven SEC series this season, second only to SEC Georgia's eight series wins ... During the seven series wins, Alabama hit .317 (240 for 758) with 36 home runs and 149 RBI ... UA averaged 7.95 runs and 11.4 hits per game ... Rutledge hit .456 (41 for 90) in the Tide's seven series wins to lead the attack ... May (.344, 3 HR, 12 RBI), Wilson (.337, 7 HR, 19 RBI) and Avila (.329, 8 HR, 27 RBI) all hit better than .300 in the seven series wins ... The pitching staff went 14-7 (.667) with 5.15 ERA in the seven series wins ... Graham was 5-0 with three saves and a 5.28 ERA in 12 games ...

*The Tide's three series losses came on the road against Kentucky, LSU and Tennessee ... In those nine games, UA hit .273 (89 for 326) with 12 home runs and 37 RBI ... UA averaged 4.1 runs and 9.8 hits per game in the series losses ... May hit .438 (14 for 32) with four home runs and nine RBI against UK, LSU and UT ... Junior RF Kent Matthes was the second-leading hitter with .344 (11 for 32) average with one home run and two RBI ... UA pitchers were 2-7 (.222) with a 7.70 ERA in the three series losses ... Copeland (at LSU) and Stroup (at Tennessee) had the only two wins ... Alabama made 13 errors in the nine games.

IN THE RANKINGS: Alabama's recent success as not gone unnoticed on the national scene, as the Crimson Tide made its 2008 debut in the national polls this week. Alabama is ranked 29th by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, its first ranking since the 2007 season.

WILSON NAMED SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: University of Alabama freshman second baseman Ross Wilson was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, after helping the Crimson Tide to a series win at No. 7 Georgia this past weekend, the league office announced Monday afternoon. The Hoover, Ala., native had his best weekend of the regular season, leading Alabama to a pair of high-scoring wins over Georgia. The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs combined for 68 runs and 20 home runs in the three-game series. Alabama won the opener, 17-13, and then clinched the series with a 16-13 win on Saturday. Wilson was 6 for 13 (.462) with eight runs, two home runs and eight RBI in the series. He went 3 for 5 in the series opener with three runs scored and five RBI. His three-run home run in the third inning gave the Tide a 10-1 lead. Wilson hit a two-run home run that gave Alabama a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning in game two. He capped the series by going 2 for 4 with one double and one RBI. He also scored a career-high four runs, including an insurance run in the ninth inning off of Joshua Fields. For the season, Wilson is hitting .279 (64 for 229) with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 55 games. He ranks second among SEC freshman with 12 home runs. In SEC play, Wilson hit .272 (34 for 125) with seven home runs and 20 RBI.

MATTHES NAMED TO SEC BASEBALL COMMUNITY SERVICE TEAM: Alabama junior right fielder Kent Matthes was named to the 2008 Southeastern Conference Baseball Community Service Team, the league office announced Monday morning. Matthes is one of the Crimson Tide's most accessible players and is constantly surrounded by children after each Alabama home game. He is a member of the Alabama Athletic Department's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a strong member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has been seen throughout the school year reading to children at local elementary schools. He read a book to the students at Taylorville Primary School on being responsible and working hard. He spoke at Faucett-Vestavia Elementary School during "Red Ribbon Week" about staying away from drugs and alcohol. Matthes also participated in "Team Spirit Day" at Sprayberry Education Center. He was also involved in the UA Athletic Department's Halloween Extravaganza, offering local children a safe place to celebrate Halloween. He was a vital part of the UA's Project Angel Tree, which provides Christmas gifts to local children whose parents are incarcerated. The Orlando, Fla., native has played in 54 games this season, with 49 starts. He is hitting .300 (60 for 200) entering the SEC Tournament with a career-best 10 home runs and 45 RBI.

2008 HONORS AND AWARDS: Alabama has had four SEC Player of the Week winners in the last five weeks. Wilson was also named SEC Freshman of the Week, following the Tide's series win against Mississippi State (April 19-20). Freshman shortstop Josh Rutledge earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors after the Auburn (April 25-27) series and sophomore left fielder Brandon May was named SEC Player of the Week after the Tide's first road series win at Arkansas (May 2-4).

KENTUCKY SERIES: Alabama leads the all-time series with Kentucky, 49-29 (.628) in a series that dates back to the 1925 season. The Crimson Tide opened the series with five straight wins, including a 9-3 victory in the initial meeting in 1925. Alabama and Kentucky are playing for the first time since the 2005 season, when UA swept a three-game series from the Wildcats. Alabama defeated Kentucky in a best-of-five SEC Playoffs in 1950, winning 4-1, 13-0 and 9-1. UK eliminated Alabama from the 1981 and 1984 SEC Tournaments. Alabama returned the favor by eliminating the Kentucky from the SEC Tournament in 1996 and 1998. The Crimson Tide owns a 20-15 (.571) all-time record in games played in Lexington. Including the 2008 SEC series, Alabama has played 12 of its last 18 games with Kentucky in Lexington, including series in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2008. Coach Wells is 22-8 (.733) in his career against the Wildcats. He is 10-5 (.667) against UK in Lexington and has won four (1996, 2001, 2002 and 2004) of five (2008) series. UK head coach John Cohen is a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and played for Coach Don McNabb at Tuscaloosa Academy before playing at collegiality at Birmingham Southern (1986) and Mississippi State (1987-89). Cohen is 4-7 (.364) in his career against the Tide, including a 4-5 (.444) mark at Kentucky. Cohen lost SEC series against Alabama in 2004 and 2005.

KENTUCKY SERIES RECAP: Alabama suffered a three-game sweep to open SEC play last weekend at No. 4 Kentucky. The Crimson Tide was outscored 27-8 in the three-game series. The series was Kentucky's first over Alabama since 1993 and it was the first sweep since 1992. Alabama had not been swept since the 2006 season when the Tide lost all three games at Arkansas on May 4-6, 2006. Alabama hit .235 (23-for-102) in the UK series with three home runs and seven RBI. May hit .421 (8-for-19) in five games last week with six runs scored, one home run and three RBI. He also walked three times. In the three-game series at Kentucky, May hit .500 (5-for-10) with three runs scored, one home run and one RBI. He hit is first career SEC home run in the third inning of the series opener on March 14. May also compiled a .800 slugging percentage and .615 on-base mark in the series. Avila hit .300 (6-for-20) with five runs scored, four home runs and 10 RBI in five games from March 11-16. Avila hit four home runs in three straight games against UNA, Samford and Kentucky. He hit a pair of three-run home runs and drove in a career-best seven runs in the Tide's 17-2 win at UNA on March 11. He finished the week with a .950 slugging mark. Sophomore LHP Del Howell made his SEC debut on the mound at Kentucky on March 15 and struck out eight batters in five innings, both career highs. Graham made his first career SEC start at Kentucky in the series finale on March 16 and held the Wildcats to five runs and six hits in six innings of work. He also added five strikeouts.

ALABAMA-GEORGIA SERIES: Georgia holds a slim 62-61-1 (.504) lead in a series that dates back to the 1904 season. Since the two teams began meeting on an annual basis in 1986, Alabama holds a 33-28 (.541) edge. The Crimson Tide has won the last four series with the Bulldogs, taking two of three games in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Alabama has won the last two series at Foley Field in Athens, including a series win on the final weekend of the 2008 regular season. UA coach Jim Wells is 26-14 (.650) in his career against the Georgia Bulldogs. He has led the Crimson Tide to 10 series wins in his 13 meetings with the Bulldogs. Alabama and Georgia did not meet in Wells' first season at the Capstone, but have met every year since 1996. In fact, Georgia is the only Eastern Division team that Alabama has faced in each of the last 13 seasons. The Tide and Bulldogs are not scheduled to play in 2010-11 under the SEC's current rotating schedule. Alabama is 39-30-1 (.564) at home against Georgia. The Tide posted a nine-game home winning streak from 1946-86. Coach Wells has led the Tide to a 15-3 (.833) home record against Georgia, including six straight series wins. Alabama is 19-32-1 (.375) all-time in Athens and has lost 10 of its last 15 games at Foley Field. Coach Wells is 9-12 (.429) in games played in Athens, with four series wins in 1996, 1998, 2006 and 2008. Alabama and Georgia have split two SEC Tournament games. Georgia eliminated Alabama from the 1986 SEC Tournament in Baton Rouge, while the Tide eliminated the Bulldogs from the 2000 SEC Tourney in Hoover. Georgia head coach David Perno is 8-13 (.380) in his career against Alabama. Perno has lost four of the six series. As a Georgia player, Perno was 5-3 against the Tide, including a series sweep during the Bulldogs national championship season in 1990. Alabama and Georgia first met in 1904, with the Bulldogs posting a 6-4 win in Athens. The Tide earned a 3-1 win the next day. Georgia went 9-0-1 against Alabama from 1910-15. Alabama posted a 12-game winning streak from 1946-86. The Crimson Tide also swept the Bulldogs in a best-of-three SEC Playoffs to win the 1955 SEC Championship.

ALABAMA-GEORGIA RECAP: Alabama closed out the 2008 regular season with a series win at No. 7 Georgia. Alabama and Georgia played two vastly different games on Friday at Frank Foley Field in Athens, Ga., with the two teams splitting a double header on the next-to-last day of the regular season. The Crimson Tide walloped five home runs and won a 17-13 slugfest in the opener, while the Bulldogs earned the slit with a 5-4 game in tightly contested game in the nightcap. Alabama jumped out to a 10-1 lead in the opener and held off a furious Georgia rally. Jake Smith hit two home runs in the game for the Tide, while Alex Avila (grand slam), Ross Wilson (3-run HR) and Del Howell (3-run HR) also hit home runs. The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs combined for 30 runs and 34 hits, including nine home runs in Friday's opener. Junior Tyler Odle paced the Tide's 20-hit attack with a career high four hits. Wilson (3 for 6, 3 R, HR, 5 RBI) and Avila (3 for 6, 2 R, HR, 5 RBI) combined for six hits and 10 RBI in the win. Georgia took advantage of leadoff walk and an error in the bottom of the ninth inning to post a 5-4 win in the nightcap. Third baseman Ryan Peisel drew a lead off walk against losing pitcher Will Stroup and scored all the way from first base on Matt Olson's single to left-center field and Alex Kubal's error that allowed the winning run to cross the plate. Stroup (5-3) allowed two runs and two hits in two-plus innings as he suffered his third loss of the season. Georgia first baseman Rich Poythress and catcher Bryce Massanari were a combined 13 for 15 with five home runs and 12 RBI in the double header. Alabama overcame a 9-4 deficit in the fourth inning to take a 13-9 lead, before Georgia scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth, highlighted by Massanari's three-run home to tie the game at 13-13. Alabama scored three times in the ninth off Fields to earn the 16-13 win. Josh Rutledge led off the inning with single and scored the winning run on a wild pitch. The two teams hit six home runs in the finale. Alabama has now won four straight series with Georgia.

OLE MISS SERIES: Alabama leads the all-time series with Ole Miss, 193-131-2 (.599) 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 17-13 series lead. The Crimson Tide has won five of the last nine regular season series. The two ties came in 1951 (3-3, 10 innings) in Tuscaloosa and 1981 (6-6) in Oxford. Coach Wells is 22-24 (.478) in his career against Ole Miss. He is 13-11 (.542) in games played in Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco is 16-11 (.593) against Alabama, including a 5-7 (.417) mark in Tuscaloosa. Wells has led Alabama to six series wins (14 series) since 1995. Bianco has led Ole Miss to four series wins (seven total series) since 2001.

OLE MISS SERIES RECAP: Alabama won its second straight SEC series by taking two of three from No. 15 Ole Miss at Sewell-Thomas Stadium (March 28-30). The story of the weekend for both teams was pitching, as both teams hit less than .280 in a three-game series and combined for 22 runs. Bentley was the offensive star in the Tide's 6-5 series-opening win, swatting two home runs of Lance Lynn and Scott Bittle. Bentley capped an incredible 11-pitch at-bat with a solo home run to right center field off Lynn in the sixth inning as UA took a 5-3 lead. He homered again in the eighth off Bittle to give the Tide a 6-5 lead. The home runs by Bentley are the home runs allowed by Lynn and Bittle this season. Copeland earned the win with 2 2/3 innings of relief as Ole Miss stranded seven base runners in the final three innings. The second game of the series was suspended in the third inning due to rain and lightning and resumed on Sunday with the Rebels holding a 3-2 lead. The Crimson Tide came back took the series with a 5-3 come-from-behind win in game two. Kubal and Rutledge had back-to-back two-out hits in the sixth to give the Tide the lead for good. Smith added an RBI single in the seventh for a key insurance run. Alabama missed a chance at a sweep, losing the series finale, 2-1, in nine innings. Ole Miss scored single runs in the first and ninth innings, as Logan Power plated the game-winner for the Rebels. The Crimson Tide managed only four hits and seven base runners, but left the winning run at second base when UM left fielder Fuller Smith's diving catch robbed Avila of a game-winning hit in the eighth inning. Phares pitched into the ninth inning for Alabama in his second career SEC start.

LSU SERIES: Alabama leads the all-time series with LSU, 190-142-3 in a series that dates back to the 1906 season. LSU opened series play with five straight wins (1906-07) before Alabama rebounded to win the next nine games (1909-17). The Tide and Tigers have met every year since 1947. From 1906-46, Alabama posted a 56-19-2 record against LSU. The Crimson Tide won 18 of 19 games with LSU from 1909-21, including two nine-game winnings streaks (1909-17 and 1918-21). Alabama also posted a 16-game unbeaten streak (14-0-2) from 1929-37. The Tide won seven straight games in 1936-37. The two teams played to an 18-18 tie in 1931 and a 3-3 deadlock in 1932. Since 1947, Alabama holds a 148-121-1 series lead. LSU is 18-10 (.643) against Alabama since the 2000 season, including an eight-game winning streak from 2000-2002. UA is 80-76-2 (.513) all-time in Baton Rouge. Alabama was 19-5-1 (.780) at the LSU Diamond (1906-37) and is 62-75-2 (.453) at Alex Box Stadium (1938-2008). Wells is 26-36 (.420) against LSU, including a 24-30 (.444) ledger at Alabama. LSU head coach Paul Mainieri is 5-3 (.625) in his career against Alabama, including a 1-1 mark at Notre Dame.

LSU SERIES RECAP: Alabama dropped two of three games at LSU in the Crimson Tide's final appearance at venerable Alex Box Stadium. LSU will be moving into its new baseball home in 2009. A trio of Tiger pitchers Blake Martin, Jared Bradford and Daniel Bradshaw combined for a five-hit shutout in the series opener to extend LSU's scoreless streak to 27 innings. The Crimson Tide was shut out for the first time since a 6-0 loss to Arkansas in 2007 SEC Tournament at Regions Park. The last time Alabama was shut out in an SEC road game was a 3-0 loss to Vanderbilt and David Price on April 6, 2007. It was UA's first shutout in Alex Box Stadium since a 3-0 loss in 2002. The 3-0 loss marked the fifth time Alabama has been shut out in Alex Box Stadium since the park opened in 1938. Alabama won game two, 6-5, in 11 innings as Odle's squeeze bunt scored Kubal with the winning run. Copeland threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. He struck out five LSU batters and walked six in the win. In all, Alabama pitchers issued 11 walks in the game and not one LSU batter who walked scored a run. Alabama (11) and LSU (14) stranded 25 bases runners in the game. LSU rallied from a three-run deficit in the sixth-inning to post a 9-7 win. Trailing 7-4 in the sixth, LSU got three runs in the sixth and added one in the seventh and one in the eight for the win. Alabama has lost its last six series in Baton Rouge and has not won a series since posting back-to-back series win in 1995-96. May went 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in the series finale. Smith hit a two-run home run.

ALABAMA-FLORIDA SERIES: Alabama holds a 50-37 (.575) lead over Florida in a series that dates back to the 1920 season. The Crimson Tide won 10 of the first 11 meetings (1920-1948) with the Gators, including an 11-4 in Tuscaloosa in the very first meeting. Florida posted an 11-1 win in 1927 for its first series win. Alabama and Florida met 31 times from 1920-84, which included seven post-season meetings. Alabama won a best-of-three series over Florida to claim the 1968 SEC Championship. After dropping the first game in Gainesville (L, 3-4), Alabama rebounded to win the next two games in Tuscaloosa (W, 5-0 and 3-0) to advance to the District III Playoffs in Gastonia, N.C. Alabama and Florida met in four straight SEC Tournaments from 1981-84, with the Gators winning three times. The two teams began meeting on a regular basis in 1986. Florida won five of the six series from 1986-94 and two teams split a rain-shortened two-game series in 1991. The 1990 series was cancelled by SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer due to the death of Florida pitcher, Steve Georgiadis. Since 1995, Alabama has won eight of the 12 regular season series. The Crimson Tide's series win in 1995 was their first over the Gators since winning the 1968 SEC Championship. It was the Tide's first regular-season series win over the Gators since 1950. Alabama won series in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2002, before Florida snapped the streak with three straight series wins from 2003-05. Alabama claimed a series win in Tuscaloosa in 2006, while Florida won the series in Gainesville last year. The Crimson Tide owns a 28-14 (.667) all-time record over the Gators in Tuscaloosa. Alabama head coach Jim Wells is 30-14 (.681) in his career against Florida, including a 12-game winning streak from 1997-2002. The Crimson Tide defeated the Gators five out of six times in 2002. Alabama swept the regular season series in Tuscaloosa and then added two wins en route to the SEC Tournament championship in Hoover. Wells is 15-4 (.789) against the Gators in Tuscaloosa. He is also 7-3 (.700) in neutral site games. Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan is 1-2 (.333) against Alabama and made his coaching debut against the Tide this season.

FLORIDA SERIES RECAP: Alabama won its fourth straight SEC series by winning two of three from No. 22 Florida (May 9-11) in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide has now won eight straight home conference series, including all five this season against Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn and Florida. Against the Gators, the Tide posted two thrilling come-from-behind wins in the ninth inning. Sophomore Del Howell stroked a pinch-hit two run double in the ninth inning to give the Tide a 7-6 win in the series opener. In the series finale, Alabama erased a five-run deficit with five runs in the eighth inning and then won the game in improbable fashion with a run in the ninth to post an 8-7 win. In the eighth, junior Kent Matthes launched a three-run home run to close the gap to 7-5. Tyler Odle later tied the game with a two-run triple. In the ninth, senior Matt Bentley smacked what appeared to be a game-winning three run home run, but Florida right fielder Riley Cooper leaped over the wall to rob Bentley of the home run. Pinch runner Jeff Texada tagged a second base and third base coach Dax Norris waved him home when Riley's throw missed the cut off man. UF first baseman Jon Townsend's relay throw was late as Texada slid across the plate with the winning run. Alabama hit .283 (30 for 106) with two home runs and 14 RBI. May led the Tide with a .417 (5 for 12) average and scored one run. Bentley and Wilson had four hits each in the series. The Tide was just 6 for 29 (.230) with runners in scoring position in the series. Florida hit .294 (32 for 109) with five home runs and 18 RBI. The Gators out scored the Tide 19-17. Alabama pitchers compiled a 2-1 record and 6.00 ERA, with 29 strikeouts in 27 innings. Graham was 2-0 with 4.76 ERA, winning both games in relief. He had eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. The Tide made three errors in the series and turned two double plays.

VANDERBILT SERIES: Alabama leads the all-time series with Vanderbilt, 79-46-2. The two teams first met in 1893, with a four-game series in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide posted a 2-1 win the first ever meeting between the two schools. The teams also played to a 2-2 tie in 1893 in a game that was called after 16 innings due to darkness. The 16-inning game is still the longest game in the Tide record books. Vanderbilt posted two wins the following day, winning 10-5 and 4-1. The two teams split a two-game series the following year in Nashville. Alabama and Vanderbilt met on a regular basis through the 1930 season before a 21-year hiatus in the series. The series was resumed in 1951 and the teams played 18 times in the 1950s, with the Crimson Tide posting a 17-1 record. Alabama went 25-1-1 against Vandy from 1925-57. Alabama and Vanderbilt met for the SEC Championship in 1973 and 1974. The Commodores swept the best-of-three series in 1973 and 1974 to win back-to-back SEC titles. The two teams also met during the regular season in 1974 and 1975. Alabama and Vandy did not meet again until 1986. Since then, the teams have met every year with the exception of 1993, 1994 and 1995. Alabama has won 11 of the 18 series since 1986. Overall, Alabama owns a 57-30-2 (.652) record in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide went 4-11-1 at home against the Commodores from 1896-1906. Over the next 50 years, Alabama was an impressive 30-5-1 (.847) at home against VU, including a 12-game winning streak from 1930-57. Since 1973, Alabama is 23-14 (.621) at home against Vandy, including a three-game sweep in 2006. Coach Wells is 22-11 (.667) in his career against Vanderbilt and his teams have won seven of the 11 series. He is 13-5 (.722) in games played in Tuscaloosa and has won four of the six series played. VU coach Tim Corbin is 7-8 (.467) against Alabama and has won three of the four series since 2004.

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. May (6-for-10, 2 R, RBI), Rutledge (7-for-13, 4 R) and 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. Hyatt (9 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) recorded his first career complete game in the series opener with Vanderbilt. 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. Copeland made two relief appearances and retired 10 of the 11 (7 K) batters he faced.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Alabama leads the all-time series with South Carolina, 23-21. The Crimson Tide and Gamecocks did not meet during the 2008 regular season and will not meet next season. The series will resume in 2009 in Columbia, S.C. The two teams first met at the 1973 Joe Sewell Classic in Tuscaloosa, with the Crimson Tide and Gamecocks splitting a pair of meetings. Alabama won the first-ever meeting between the two teams, 1-0. South Carolina rebounded for a 6-0 win in day two of the tournament. The two teams would not meet again until the 1986 NCAA Atlantic Regional in Coral Gables, Fla. South Carolina posted an 8-2 in first-round action, while UA eliminated USC two days later with an 8-7 win. Alabama defeated South Carolina 12-5 in Tuscaloosa during the 1989 season and 6-4 at USF Invitational in Tampa, Fla., in 1990. The Tide held a 4-2 series lead before the teams hooked up as SEC members for the first time in 1994. Since then, the series is tied at 19-19. The Gamecocks won the regular season series in 1994 at Sarge Frye Field, while Alabama claimed a series win in Tuscaloosa in 1995. Alabama has three straight series wins (2005-07) over South Carolina, including last year's thriller in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide overcame a 10-4 deficit to post an 11-10 win, capped by Alex Avila's three-run home run in the seventh inning. South Carolina has been ranked in the Top 10 in each of the last four seasons they have faced Alabama. Last year, Alabama posted series win over the fourth-ranked Gamecocks. In 2006, Alabama knocked off No. 1 South Carolina with a series win at Sarge Frye Field. The USC series was the second straight week the Tide had knocked off the No. 1 ranked team in 2006. Alabama and USC have met for times in the post-season, with UA winning three games. The two teams split a pair of NCAA Regional meetings, while Alabama has won both SEC Tournament games, including the 2002 championship game. The Tide and Gamecocks have split 12 regular-season series since 1994. Alabama holds a 13-8 (.611) series lead in games played in Tuscaloosa and has won five of the six SEC series. South Carolina holds a 12-6 (.667) series lead in Columbia and has won five of six series. Alabama has won four of the five neutral site games. Alabama coach Jim Wells is 18-17 (.514) in hi career against South Carolina. USC head coach Ray Tanner is 16-16 (.500) in his career against the Tide.

SEC RECAPS: Here are the Tide's series recaps against the teams that did not make the SEC Tournament.

TENNESSEE RECAP: Alabama dropped two of three at Tennessee (April 12-13) losing its third consecutive road series of the 2008 season. The Crimson Tide hit .322 (37-for-115) in the series with seven home runs and 19 RBI. The seven home runs were the most in an SEC series since the Tide belted seven at LSU during the 2006 season. After a rain out on Friday night, the Tide and Vols played a day-night double header on Saturday, April 12. Alabama won a slugfest, 11-10, in the opener and hit four home runs in the process. Smith, May, Bentley and Sharp all homered in the win, with Bentley and Sharp hitting back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning that put the Tide ahead to stay. The Tide fell 13-5 in game two as UT blew open a close game with a seven-run, sixth inning, highlighted by Kentrail Davis' three-run home run. UT lefty Bryan Morgado (7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 10 K) was too much for the Tide on the mound. The Tide let one slip away in the series finale, falling 6-4. The Tide took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning, but 12 men left on base doomed the Tide. Alabama left the bases loaded in the fifth and seventh innings and had two runners thrown out at home. UT left fielder Shawn Griffin hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning for the win.

MISSISSIPPI STATE SERIES RECAP: Alabama won its third SEC home series of the season and sixth in-a-row dating back to last year, by taking two of three from long-time SEC Western Division rival Mississippi State at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Crimson Tide hit .304 in the series with five home runs and 24 RBI. Alabama posted a resounding 21-7 win in the series opener, scoring six runs in the fourth inning and blowing the game open with eight runs in the seventh inning. The Tide hit four home runs in the series opener to match its season high. Avila, Wilson and Howell all homered in the win. Avila's three-run home run capped the six-run fourth inning. Wilson tied an Alabama record with two home runs in the seventh inning off two different pitchers. Howell added a seventh-inning grand slam, the first of his career. Alabama's 21 runs in the series opener marked the third time in series history the Tide had scored 20 runs against the Bulldogs and were the second-most runs scored by UA in series history. UA beat MSU 29-10 in 1943 for the most runs scored in series history. Alabama also beat Mississippi State 20-1 in 1946. The Bulldogs bounced back to win the second game of Saturday's double header 6-4. MSU erased a 4-1 deficit by scoring two runs in the sixth and seventh innings. The Crimson Tide won the series with a 4-3 victory in Sunday's rubber game. Wilson hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning off Michael Busby to win the game. It was one of only five hits by the Tide offense in the series finale. Wilson hit three home runs in the series to double his season total to six homers. Sophomore RHP Austin Graham pitched three scoreless innings for the win in relief. Mississippi State hit .333 (37-for-111) in the series and all 11 extra base hits were doubles. The Bulldogs had at least one base runner in all 27 innings, but left 38 men on base in the three-game set.

AUBURN SERIES RECAP: Alabama won its seventh straight SEC home series as the Tide took two of three from arch-rival Auburn, April 25-27, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Crimson Tide hit .342 (38 for 111) in the series with four home runs and 23 RBI. Alabama averaged 8.67 runs and 12.67 hits per game against Auburn. The Crimson Tide hit four home runs, including three in-a-row in the seventh inning, to cruise to a 17-7 series-clinching win in the finale. Rutledge and sophomore third baseman Jake Smith had four hits each to lead the Tide's 21-hit attack. Avila added three hits and senior first baseman Matt Bentley cracked two home runs and drove in a career-high six runs. Alabama scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to even the series with a 5-4 win on Saturday in front of the fourth-largest paid crowd (6,459) in stadium history. Junior Tyler Odle had a pinch-hit single and May added an RBI single to right in the inning. Junior right fielder Kent Matthes had a two-run double in the first inning and turned in a highlight-reel catch to rob AU's Joseph Sanders of a home run in the fourth inning. Senior Josh Copeland (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) was the winning pitcher, while sophomore Austin Graham (2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K) earned his first career save. Auburn's Michael Hurst (0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER) suffered the loss. Auburn used a four-run sixth inning, including Brian Fletcher's three-run home run, to beat Alabama, 5-4, in the opener. Grant Dayton (5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) earned the win on the mound, while Bryan Woodall notched his 10th save of the year. Rutledge had three hits to lead the Alabama offense, while freshman second baseman Ross Wilson and junior first baseman Wes Henderson added two hits each. Avila knocked in two runs with a bases loaded single in the fifth inning. Junior Miers Quigley (5.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) took the loss.

ARKANSAS SERIES RECAP: Alabama picked up its first road series win of the season, by taking two of three from Arkansas at Baum Stadium May 2-4. The Crimson Tide hit eight home runs in the series and out scored the Hogs 22-13 in the first two games to clinch the series. Arkansas avoided the sweep with a 5-4 win in the finale on Sunday, scoring the winning run on a throwing error in the bottom of the eighth inning. In all, two Alabama led to three unearned runs in the loss. The Crimson Tide scored six runs in the fourth inning of the series opener to erase a three-run deficit and built a 7-4 lead en route to an 11-7 win. Kent Matthes capped the inning with a three-run home run into the Arkansas bullpen. The Tide added three insurance runs in the eighth inning. Freshman RHP Jimmy Nelson earned his first SEC win with 4 1/3 innings of relief in the opener. The Tide clinched the series with an 11-6 win on May 3. Alabama hit a season high five home runs, including back-to-back homers by Avila and May in the fourth inning and May and Matthes in the eighth inning. May, who hit two home runs in the game, was 3 for 4 with three runs scored and four RBI. The Tide scored nine runs in the final two innings to erase a 3-2 deficit. Alabama hit .339 (40-118) in the series with eight home runs and 24 RBI. Alabama also finished the series with 15 extra base hits.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: The 2008 Alabama baseball roster contains three seniors, 19 juniors, six sophomores and eight freshmen. The 36 players hail from 10 different states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri and New Jersey.

SOMETHING OLD: The Crimson Tide roster contains 19 veteran players, with the majority of the experience coming from the position players. The Tide returns 11 players who started at least one game last season, including Alex Avila, Matt Bentley, Del Howell, Kent Matthes, Brandon May, Kyle Moore, Tyler Odle, Ryan Rhoden, Jake Smith and Jeff Texada. Alabama returns six experienced pitchers, including Josh Copeland, Austin Graham, Austin Hyatt, Casey Kebodeaux, Miers Quigley and Will Stroup.

SOMETHING NEW: Alabama welcomes 15 newcomers to the 2008 roster, including seven transfers and eight true freshmen. The transfers include pitchers Jarrod Hewes (Faulkner State CC), Jamie Manning (Wallace State CC), Patrick Nappi (Shelton State CC) and Robert Phares (Shelton State CC); catchers Mike Sharp (Kansas CC) and David Woods (Meridian CC); and outfielder Alex Kubal (Gulf Coast CC). The list of true freshmen includes pitchers Connor Hoehn, Nathan Kilcrease, Jimmy Nelson and Tyler White and infielders Jon Kelton, Josh Rutledge and Ross Wilson. Freshman pitcher Austin Evans and junior catcher Vin DiFazio both redshirted last year.

COACHING STAFF: Alabama has three new additions to its coaching staff in 2008, including assistant coaches Mitch Gaspard and Dax Norris and volunteer coach Drew French.

Gaspard is in his 13th season as Wells' top assistant coach. He previously worked for Wells at Northwestern State (1990-94) and Alabama (1995-2001). He spent the last five years as head coach at Northwestern State, where he compiled a 211-128 (.622) and led the Demons to Southland Conference championships in 2002 and 2005. Gaspard serves as the Crimson Tide's recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and works with the infield/outfield defense. He serves as the first base coach during games.

Norris is his first season as an assistant coach at Alabama. He was hired as a volunteer assistant coach in July, 2007, but was named interim assistant coach in January, 2008, when B.J. Green was placed on medical leave. Norris spent last season as assistant coach at Niceville (Fla.) High School under another former Tide assistant coach, Kevin Berry. Norris was a two-year letterman at UA in 1995-96 and earned All-American honors in 1996, leading the Tide to the SEC Championship and the College World Series. He played 11 seasons in professional baseball with the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros organizations, reaching the Triple A level with both organizations. Norris works with Crimson Tide hitters and catchers. During the games, he serves as third base coach.

French is in his first season as UA's volunteer coach. He joined the staff in January, when Norris was elevated to interim assistant coach. French spent last season as the pitching coach at Concordia University in Austin, Texas. He assists Coach Wells with the Crimson Tide pitchers and also works with the outfielders.

B.J. Green: Alabama assistant coach B.J. Green was placed on medical leave in January, 2008 as he was diagnosed with leukemia. Green was admitted to UAB Medical Center on May 7, 2008 in preparation for his bone marrow transplant. He undergoing 16 rounds of chemo and the transplant is scheduled for Thursday, May 14. The Crimson Tide coaching staff and players have written "BJ" on their caps this season his honor and Green's No. 12 jersey hangs in the dugout during each game.

STARTING LINEUPS: Alabama has used 33 different starting lineups this season. The most common lineup has been Rutledge (SS), Wilson (2B), Avila (DH), May (LF), Bentley (1B), Matthes (RF), Smith (3B), Sharp (C) and Kubal (CF). That combination has started 10 games and posted a 5-5 (.500) record for the Tide. The second-most used lineup consists of Rutledge (SS), Wilson (2B), Avila (C), May (LF), Bentley (1B), Matthes (RF), Rhoden (DH), Smith (3B) and Kubal (CF). That combination has gone 3-1 (.750) in four starts this season.

TEAM NOTES: Alabama is playing its 116th season of baseball and defeated Cal Poly, 10-1, in the 2008 season opener ... Cal Poly scored 11 unearned runs in a 16-7 win over Alabama on Feb. 23 ... The Crimson Tide captured the 2008 Southwest Diamond Classic championship in Frisco, Texas, with a 2-1 record ... After losing to Texas Arlington on the first day, Alabama rebounded to beat Nevada and Dallas Baptist to win the championship ... Alabama has played in four minor league ballparks this season, including Dr Pepper Ballpark (Frisco, Texas), Riverwalk Stadium (Montgomery, Ala.), Regions Park (Hoover, Ala.) and Trustmark Park (Pearl, Miss.) ... Alabama honored the 1983 College World Series team (March 8) at Sewell-Thomas Stadium as the team celebrated its 25th anniversary this season .. The Crimson Tide played the dedication game at University Field in Florence, Ala., on Tuesday, March 11 ... The Crimson Tide beat North Alabama, 15-2, in front a stadium record 1,874 fans ... It was UA's first trip to Florence since 1967 ... The Crimson Tide has played throughout the state of Alabama this season with stops in Montgomery, Florence, Jacksonville, Hoover, Mobile and Birmingham ... Alabama celebrated the 60th anniversary of Sewell-Thomas Stadium on Friday, March 21, which included a post-game fireworks show ... The Crimson Tide turned a season-high four doubles plays in a 12-6 win over Jacksonville State on March 25 ... Alabama played its 1,500th all-time game at Sewell-Thomas Stadium on March 28 against Ole Miss ... Alabama and LSU played a day-nigh double header at Alex Box Stadium on Saturday, April 5 ... LSU won the first game 3-0 (completion of Friday night's suspended game) and Alabama won the nightcap, 6-5, in 11 innings ... The Crimson Tide played its final game at venerable Alex Box Stadium on April 6, losing 9-7 to LSU in Baton Rouge ... Odle scored five runs in UA's 12-4 win over Mississippi Valley State (April 8) ... Alabama honored MSU's retiring head coach Ron Polk in a pregame ceremony on Saturday, April 19 ... The dean of SEC coaches is retiring after 35 years of coaching ... Polk coached his 125th all-time game against the Tide on Saturday, April 19th ... Wilson tied an Alabama record with two home runs in the seventh inning against Mississippi State on April 19 ... Coach Wells missed the Lipscomb (April 22) and South Alabama (April 23) games while tending to his ailing mother in Shreveport, La. ... Three Alabama teams held reunions at the Joe during the Auburn series (April 25-26) ... The 1961 and 1962 teams were recognized prior to the series opener, while the 1968 SEC Championship team held its 40th anniversary on Saturday, April 26.

MAY RECORD: Alabama has compiled a 135-70 (.659) record in the month of May under Coach Wells. The Tide has played 205 games since 1995. From 1995-2001, Alabama went 88-23 (.793) in the month of May. The Crimson Tide went 29-2 (.935) in May during the 1996 and 1997 seasons. Since 2002, Alabama is 45-46 (.495) in the month and has had losing records in 2003 (7-10) and 2004 (4-8). Alabama is 60-47 (.561) in SEC games in the month of May since 1995. The Tide went 10-2 (.833) in SEC play in the month of May in 1996 and 1997. In addition, the Tide has compiled a 56-23 (.667) record in the post-season during the month of May. Alabama was a glistening 19-2 (.905) in post-season games in the month of May in 1996 and 1997. The Crimson Tide was 6-6 (.500) during the month of May last season. The Tide hit .293 (122 for 477) with 15 home runs and 68 RBI. The Crimson Tide and the opposition scored 66 runs apiece last year in 12 games in May. The Tide staff was 6-6 with two saves and 5.62 ERA. Bentley hit .356 (16 for 45) with four home runs and nine RBI in 12 games, while May hit .302 (13 for 43) with two RBI in 12 games. Hyatt was 1-0 with one save and 0.00 ERA in three games last season in May.

MAY DAY: Alabama sophomore left fielder Brandon May (Marietta, Ga.) has had much success in his UA career during the month of May, including a pair of four-hit games. In 20 career games, he is batting .346 (28 for 81) with 15 runs, six doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI. In nine games this season, May is batting .429 (18 for 42) with nine runs scored, five doubles, three home runs and nine RBI. He has hit safely in eight of nine games. Last year, May hit .256 (10 for 39) with six runs, one double and one RBI in 11 games. He had four-hit games against Florida on May 4, 2007 and May 11, 2008.

HOME RUNS: Alabama has cracked 76 home runs in 56 games this season, an average of 1.36 home runs per game. The 76 home runs surpasses last year's total of 58 homers in 57 games. Alabama is in the top 20 nationally in home runs and home runs per game this season. The Crimson Tide is fourth in the SEC with those 76 home runs. In SEC play, Alabama led the league with 48 home runs in 30 conference games.

*A total of 14 different players have hit at least one home run for the Crimson Tide this season. A total of 11 different players have hit at least one home run in SEC play.

*Alex Avila (16), Ross Wilson (12), Matt Bentley (10) and Kent Matthes (10) have hit double figure home runs, marking the first time since 2000 the Tide has had four players with 10 or more home runs.

*The 2008 season marks the eighth time under Coach Wells the Crimson Tide has had at least three players hit double-digit home runs in a season.

Year THREE Players with 10 or more Home Runs

2008 Alex Avila (12), Ross Wilson (12), Matt Bentley (10) and Kent Matthes (10)

2003 Beau Hearod (20), Adam Pavkovich (10) and Al Hecklinski (10)

2002 Scott McClanahan (14), Hearod (12) and Jeremy Brown (11)

2000 Sam Bozanich (18), Brent Boyd (14), Kelly Gulledge (13), Ben King (13) and Brown (10)

1999 Andy Phillips (22), G.W. Keller (15), Brown (15) and Gulledge (11)

1998 Matt Frick (22), A. Phillips (21), Jayson Cox (15), Keller (14), Drew Bounds (13) and Paul Phillips (10)

1997 Dustan Mohr (25), Roberto Vaz (22), Keller (21), Robbie Tucker (20), Frick (16), A. Phillips (15), Joe Caruso (15)

and David Tidwell (10) (UA set NCAA record w/4 players with 20+ home runs)

1996 Caruso (14),Chris Moller (13) and Mohr (10)

*The Tide has homered in 38 of 56 games this season, including 22 of 30 SEC games.

*Alabama is 27-11 (.711) when hitting at least one home run and 7-13 (.360) without a home run. The Tide is 18-14 (.563) when the opposition hits at least one home run and 14-10 (.583) when opponents go without a home run.

*Alabama hit a season-high 10 home runs in its three-game series at Georgia (May 16-17), including five home runs in the series opener on May 16. The Crimson Tide also hit five home runs in an 11-6 win at Arkansas on May 3.

*The 10 home runs at Georgia are the most by Alabama in an SEC series since hitting 11 home runs against Ole Miss (April 21-23) during the 2000 season.

*The Crimson Tide stroked a season-high five home runs against Arkansas (May 4) and Georgia (May 16). The last time Alabama hit five home runs in a game was Feb. 21, 2004 against Cincinnati. The last time Alabama hit five home run in an SEC game was April 22, 2000 against Ole Miss.

*Alabama hit 30 home runs in its 15 SEC road games, including 18 home runs in its last two road series at Arkansas (8) and Georgia (10).

*The Crimson Tide hit two home runs in the series finale at LSU (April 6) to snap its longest home run drought of the season. May's second inning home run against LSU was Alabama's first home run since March 28, covering a span of six games, 56 1/3 innings and 192 at-bats.

*Alabama has hit 39 solo home runs, 22 two-run home runs, 12 three-run home runs and three grand slams this season.

*The Crimson Tide has 21 home runs with no outs, 32 home runs with one out and 23 home runs with two outs.

*Alabama has hit 16 home runs in the seventh inning, the most of any inning this season. In fact, 37 of the 76 home runs have come in the sixth (8), seventh (15), eighth (10) and ninth (4) innings.

*The Tide has hit 23 home runs this season with two strikes in the count.

*Alabama players have eight multi-home run games this season, including three by Bentley, two by Wilson and one by Avila, May and Smith. Bentley hit two home runs against Samford (March 12), Ole Miss (March 28) and Auburn (April 27). Wilson has multi-home run games against Mississippi State (April 19) and South Alabama (April 23). Avila hit two home runs at North Alabama (March 11). May hit two home runs against Arkansas (May 3). Smith added a pair of homers in the Tide's 1713 win a No. 7 Georgia on May 16.

*The Crimson Tide has hit three home runs in an inning three times this season against Youngstown State (Wilson, Avila and Matthes), Mississippi State (Wilson, 2 and Howell) and Auburn (Bentley, Odle and Smith). Prior to the YSU game, the last time UA swatted three home runs in an inning came against Mississippi State's Paul Maholm (Jeremy Brown, Aaron Clark and Beau Hearod) on May 4, 2001.

*A total of five 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. May now has five home runs this season, including three dingers in a four-game SEC stretch from April 6-12. 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). Junior catcher Mike Sharp hit is first career home run at Tennessee on April 12.

*Avila has homered against 10 of the 11 SEC teams in his UA career, including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. He added Georgia to the list on the final weekend of the 2008 regular season as he hit three home runs in three straight games against the Bulldogs. He has never homered in his career against Auburn (9 games).

*Avila has homered in his last at-bat in each of the last two seasons against North Carolina (3-run HR) and Florida (solo HR).

*Bentley has homered against eight of the 11 SEC teams in his UA career, including Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Tennessee. He has not homered against Georgia (May 15-17), LSU or Vanderbilt.

BACK-TO-BACK HOME RUNS: Alabama has hit back-to-back home runs six time this season, including four times in its last three SEC games. Alabama hit three straight home runs in the seventh inning against Auburn on April 27. The Tide also hit back-to-back home runs twice in its win at Arkansas on May 3.

Date Opponent Consecutive Home Runs Inning

March 7, 2008 Youngstown State Ross Wilson and Alex Avila 7th

April 12, 2008 at Tennessee Matt Bentley and Mike Sharp 6th

April 27, 2008 Auburn Bentley and Tyler Odle 7th

Auburn Odle and Jake Smith 7th

May 3, 2008 at Arkansas Avila and Brandon May 4th

May and Kent Matthes 8th

BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK HOME RUNS: Alabama hit three consecutive home runs in the seventh inning against Auburn on April 27, 2008, which is believed to a be a first in the modern era of Crimson Tide baseball. Bentley cracked a three-run, opposite field home run to left field and Odle followed with an opposite field blast to left center field. Smith capped the home run streak with a shot down the left field line. All three home runs came off Auburn bullpen ace Bryan Woodall.

HOME RUN HISTORY: Here is a look at the career home runs for each UA player.

Player Solo 2-Run 3-Run GS Total Last Home Run

Avila 20 7 6 2 35 at Georgia (5/17/08)

Bentley 14 7 2 0 23 vs. Auburn (4/27/08)

Clark 1 0 0 0 1 vs. Mississippi Valley State (5/1/07)

Henderson 1 0 0 0 1 vs. New Orleans (3/19/08)

Howell 0 1 1 1 3 at Georgia (5/16/08)

Kubal 2 1 0 0 3 at Arkansas (5/4/08)

Matthes 10 4 5 0 19 vs. Florida (5/11/08)

May 5 4 0 0 9 at Georgia (5/17/08)

Moore 2 2 0 0 4 at Samford (4/29/08)

Odle 2 1 0 0 3 vs. Auburn (4/27/08)

Rhoden 1 2 1 0 4 vs. Youngstown State (3/8/08)

Sharp 1 0 0 0 1 at Tennessee (4/13/08)

Smith 6 4 1 1 12 at Georgia (5/17/08)

Texada 1 1 0 0 2 vs. Vanderbilt (3/22/08)

Wilson 5 5 1 1 12 at Georgia (5/16/08)

SCORING SPREE: Alabama and Georgia combined for 68 runs in their three-game SEC series to close out the 2008 regular season on May 16-17. The 68 runs are the most runs recorded by either team in an SEC history in school history. Alabama scored 37 runs in the three-game series, while Georgia added 31 runs. The two teams combined for 31 runs in the Tide's 17-13 win in the series opener. The Tide and Bulldogs wrapped up the series with 29 runs in the Tide's 16-13 win. The previous high for Alabama was 66 combined runs against Vanderbilt (1999) and Mississippi State (1983). The Alabama record for most combined runs in any three-game series is 78 runs with Tulane in 1897. In 1997, Alabama and Michigan combined for 75 runs in three-game UA sweep.

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY: Alabama had has seven of its 10 SEC weekends affected by weather this season, resulting in 12 rain delays, three suspensions and four double headers. Here is a look at the Tide's 2008 weather woes.

Kentucky (March 14-16) - Alabama opened the 2008 SEC season in frigid Lexington, Ky., and endured two lengthy weather delays in its opening weekend. In the series opener, the start of the game was delayed 2:43 minutes to rain and wet field conditions. The wind chill at game time was in 30s. In game two of the series, Alabama and Kentucky endure a 5:03 rain delay in the bottom of the fourth inning. The game was finally resumed shortly before 9 p.m. (EST) and ended after 11 p.m. (EST), making for a 12-hour day at the yard.

Vanderbilt (March 21-23) - There were no weather delays for the Vanderbilt-Alabama series.

Ole Miss (March 28-30) - Alabama and Ole Miss had three rain delays in game two of the series totaling 2:15 before the game was suspended shortly after 7:30 p.m. (CST). The was resumed in the top of the third inning on Sunday, March 30 and a second-game, consisting of seven innings, followed.

LSU (April 4-6) - The series opener was marred by rain and lightning as the start of the game was delayed 16 minutes by rain. A 35-minute rain delay followed in the bottom of the third inning before the game was suspended at 8:43 p.m. (CST). The suspended game was completed on Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m. and the second game of the series was played at 7:30 p.m. The second game went 11 innings and ended shortly before midnight, marking a 13-hour day at Alex Box Stadium for both teams.

Tennessee (April 11-13) - The series opener was finally rained out at 9:36 p.m. (EDT) after four attempts to start the game ... The teams played two nine-inning games on April 13 and spent over 10 hours at the park to complete the two games.

Mississippi State (April 18-20) - The series opener was rained out for the third straight weekend. The game was called at 7:30 p.m. and a double header was scheduled for Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. (CDT).

Auburn (April 25-27) - The Tide and Tigers almost made it through the three game series rain free before heavy rains in the bottom of the seventh inning in the series finale on April 27 caused a 24-minute rain delay.

at Arkansas (May 2-4) - There were no weather delays for the Alabama-Arkansas series.

Florida (May 9-11) - - There were no weather delays for the Alabama-Florida series, marking the second dry home series of the 2008 season.

at Georgia (May 16-17) - The series opener between Alabama and Georgia was rained out on May 15 and the two teams played a double header on Friday, May 16. The Georgia series marked the sixth weather-related double header for the Tide this season, including five (Ole Miss, LSU, Tennessee, MSU and Georgia) in league play.

THRILLING FINISHES: Alabama has had four last at-bat wins in its last six games. UA had two walk-off wins in its series win over No. 22 Florida on May 9-11 in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide beat the Gators 7-6 in the series opener and recorded its first walk-off win of the 2008 season. Alabama did it again in the series finale, erasing a five-run deficit with two outs in the eighth inning to post an improbable win to clinch the series. Alabama added another last at-bat win over No. 7 Georgia on the final day of the regular season, scoring three runs in the ninth inning off All-American closer Joshua Fields. Alabama also beat Ole Miss on March 28 when Matt Bentley homered to give UA a 6-5 lead in the eighth inning. Alex Kubal doubled home two runs with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to push the Tide past UAB, 6-4, on April 1.

May 9 - Alabama 7, Florida 6

In the series opener, Alabama took a 5-4 lead into the ninth inning and sophomore right-hander Austin Graham got two quick outs without incident before walking the next two batters. Graham then struck out UF catcher Teddy Foster to end the game, but the ball got past catcher Mike Sharp to load the bases. Florida left fielder Avery Barnes then lined a two-out single to right-center field to give the Gators a 6-5 lead. The Tide responded with a rally of its own in the bottom of the ninth inning and scored the win from an unlikely hero. Freshman Josh Rutledge stroked a one-out single to right field to start the rally. After freshman second baseman Ross Wilson lined out, Florida turned to lefty Tony Davis to face junior Alex Avila with the game on the line. Avila fought off a couple of two-strike pitches and then lined an opposite field single to left to put runners at first and second. Alabama inserted pinch-hitter Ryan Rhoden and Florida then turned to righty Josh Edmondson to close out the game. Rhoden was lifted for a pinch-hitter the Tide sent seldom-used left-hander Del Howell to the plate with two outs. Howell smashed a first-pitch change up over the head of right fielder Riley Cooper to score Rutledge and Avila with the tying and winning runs as UA posted a dramatic 7-6 win.

May 11 - Alabama 8, Florida 7

As improbable as Friday's win was, the Tide's win on Sunday was even more unimaginable. Alabama trailed 7-2 with two outs in the eighth inning before junior Kent Matthes launched a three-run home run off freshman reliever Tommy Toledo to make it a 7-5 game. Howell and sophomore Jake Smith then followed with back-to-back singles and junior Tyler Odle tied the game with a two-run triple over center fielder Matt den Dekker's head, making the score 7-7. The bottom of the ninth was even more wacky for the Tide. After Wilson led off with a strikeout, Avila was hit by a Tony Franklin pitch and sophomore Brandon May followed with a bloop single to center to put runners and first and second with one out. Senior Matt Bentley then slammed what appeared to be a game-winning three run home run, but Cooper scaled the wall in right to rob Bentley of the dramatic home run. Pinch-runner Jeff Texada tagged at second base and third base coach Dax Norris waved him all the way from second base on the play. Cooper's throw missed the cut off man and Texada slid across the plate just ahead of first baseman Jon Townsend's relay throw for one the most bizarre wins in Tide history.

May 17 - Alabama 16, Georgia 13

Alabama overcame a five-run deficit and then scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning off All-American closer Joshua Fields to post a 16-13 come-from-behind win over No. 7 Georgia at Foley Field in Athens, Ga., to clinch its fifth straight Southeastern Conference series. The Crimson Tide scored three runs in the ninth inning off Fields. Rutledge led off the inning with a single and moved to second when freshman Ross Wilson drew a walk. May struck out after fouling off three straight bunt attempts for the first out and junior catcher Alex Avila flied out to left field for the second out. Junior Kent Matthes was hit by a pitch on a two-strike count to load the bases. With senior first baseman Matt Bentley at the plate, Fields uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Rutledge to score the go-ahead run. Catcher Jake Crane's throw was wild to home plate and Wilson scored on his throwing error. Matthes advanced to third on a second throwing error by third baseman Ryan Peisel. Bentley then stroked a two-out double to right-center field to score Matthes and put the Tide in front 16-13. Sophomore Austin Graham (6-1) was the winning pitcher, despite allowing four runs and three hits in three innings, with one walk and one strikeout. Fields (2-3) allowed three earned runs in one inning of relief for the loss.

COMEBACK KIDS: Alabama made a living with comeback wins during the early years of the Jim Wells era. The Crimson Tide has posted 288 come-from-behind wins since the 1995 season, including 29 comeback wins in 1999. The Tide has 90 last at-bat wins since the 1985 season, with 13 coming during the 1999 season. UA has also posted 42 walk-off wins under Wells, including seven in 1995. The Tide has 17 come-from-behind wins this season, including seven of its last eight wins. UA has five last at-bat wins this season against Ole Miss (Mar. 28), UAB (Apr. 1), Florida (May 9 & May 11) and Georgia (May 17).

Josh Rutledge SEC HITS LEADER: Alabama freshman shortstop Josh Rutledge (Cullman, Ala.) wrapped up the regular-season as the SEC his leader with 91 hits this season. He finished four hits ahead of Vanderbilt's David Macias and Kentucky's Sawyer Carroll, who finished the regular season with 87 hits. Alabama sophomore left fielder Brandon May was sixth in the league with 81 hits this season. The statistics will continue throughout the post-season. Rutledge is seeking to become the sixth player in school history to lead the SEC in total hits, joining George Johnson (55, 1967), David Magadan (114, 1983), Mike Twardoski (94, 1986), Dax Norris (105, 1996) and G.W. Keller (107, 1999). In 30 SEC games, Rutledge led the league with 54 hits, as he averaged 1.8 hits per conference game. Georgia's Ryan Peisel and South Carolina's Justin Smoak finished second with 46 hits in SEC play.

*A National and SEC Player of the Year candidate, Rutledge led the Tide with a .379 (91 for 240) average with nine extra base hits, 27 RBI and 55 runs scored. He has hit safely in 48 of 56 games this season, including a 28-game hitting streak from March 26-May 10. He is currently first in the SEC in hits (91), first in at-bats (240), third in plate appearances (269) and fifth in the league in hitting (.379).

*Rutledge was also UA's leading hitter in SEC play, with a .406 (54 for 133) batting average. He leads the league with 54 hits and finished second to South Carolina's Justin Smoak (.407) in hitting this season. Rutledge was also second in plate appearances (148), second in at-bats (133) and 10th in on-base percentage (.452). The rookie hit safely in a school record 23 straight SEC games from March 28-May 10.

*Rutledge was also UA's leading hitter against Top 25 teams (.388), wins (.410), losses (.333), home games (.392), night games (.371), SEC Western Division (.452), SEC home games (.500), February (.422) March (.363) and April (.391).

*He was also the Tide's leading hitter in SEC series against No. 15 Ole Miss (.636) and Auburn (.727).

RUTLEDGE LEADS SEC ROOKIES: Rutledge also leads all SEC freshmen in hitting, total hits and multi-hit games heading into the SEC Tournament. Through 54 games, Rutledge leads all SEC freshmen with a .379 (91 for 240) average, 91 hits and 29 multi-hit games.

RUTLEDGE HITTING STREAK ENDS AT 28 GAMES: Rutledge went 0 for 5 in the series finale against Florida on May 11 to snap his hitting streak at 28 games. It was the third-longest streak in Alabama history the longest hitting streak by a true freshman. Andy Phillips set the Alabama and SEC record with a 36-game hitting streak during the 1999 season. Roberto Vaz was second place all-time with a 32-game hitting streak. The previous freshman record was 27 games held by David Magadan in 1981. During the streak, Rutledge is batted .430 (52 for 121) with 27 runs, six extra-base hits and 19 RBI. He had 16 multi-hit games since the streak began on March 26 at Jacksonville State. The 28-game hitting streak was also the longest in the SEC this season. Ole Miss third baseman Cody Overbeck had the second-longest hitting streak at 24 games, which was snapped in the series opener at Alabama on March 28.

ALABAMA'S ALL-TIME HITTING STREAKS

Rank Player Streak Dates

1. Andy Phillips 36 April 3-June 16, 1999

2. Roberto Vaz 32 February 14-April 4, 1997

3. Josh Rutledge 28 March 26-Present

4. Gabe Scott 27 February 25-April 22, 2005

David Magadan 27 February 22-April 1, 1981

6. G.W. Keller 25 April 17, 1998-February 18, 1999

7. Robby Glenn 22 February 15-March 22, 1992

8. Jeremy Brown 20 April 28-June 11, 1999

Paul Phillips 20 February 23-April 1, 1998

Dax Norris 20 February 18-March 19, 1996

11. Travis Garner 18 April 16-May 17, 2003

Travis Garner 18 February 28-April 2, 2003

Brent Boyd 18 March 31-May 12, 2000

Allan Stallings 18 March 9-April 6, 1985

15. Jeremy Brown 17 March 31-April 27, 2001

16. Emeel Salem 16 March 11-April 7, 2006

Sam Bozanich 16 April 1-21, 1998

Andy Phillips 16 March 4-April 1, 1998

Brad Oliver 16 March 19-April 8, 1993

20. G.W. Keller 15 May 15-June 6, 1997

Mick Kerns 15 March 22-April 12, 1992

RUTLEDGE SETS UA RECORD: In addition to his 28-game hitting streak, Rutledge also hit safely in a school record 23 consecutive SEC games this season. The SEC hitting streak began on March 21 against Vanderbilt and ended with an 0- 5 performance against Florida on May 11. During the streak, Rutledge is hit .459 (45 for 98) with 22 runs, five extra base hits and 10 RBI. He also had 14 multi-hit games in the streak. For the season, Rutledge has hits safely in 25 of 27 SEC games. He was also held hitless against Kentucky on March 16.

ALABAMA'S ALL-TIME SEC HITTING STREAKS (1995-2008)

Rank Player Streak Dates

1. Josh Rutledge 23 March 21-Present

2. Aaron Clark 20 March 16-April 28, 2001

Andy Phillips 20 April 3-May 16, 1999

Sam Bozanich 20 March 28-May 10, 1998

5. Gabe Scott 16 March 18-April 22, 2005

Dustan Mohr 16 April 5-May 10, 1997

7. Brent Boyd 15 April 8-May 12, 2000

G.W. Keller 15 April 10-May 10, 1998

9. Emeel Salem 14 April 21-May 19, 2007

Travis Garner 14 April 18-May 7, 2003

Travis Garner 14 April 6-May 5, 2002

Matt Frick 14 April 4-May 4, 1997

FRESHMEN PHENOMS: Alabama's baseball program has benefitted from a number of quality freshmen throughout the years. The 2008 Crimson Tide baseball team may have one of the best freshmen in the modern-day era of UA baseball. Rutledge leads the team with a .391 (77-for-197) batting average and 46 runs scored. He has also added eight extra base hits, 11 stolen bases and 22 RBI. Only one other freshman has led the Crimson Tide in hitting, as David Magadan (.389) led the team as rookie in 1981. In 55 games, Magadan hit .389 (77-for-198) with on home run and 43 RBI. He also scored 32 runs and added 20 doubles. Jeremy Brown (1999) holds the Alabama single-season record for most hits (91), home runs (15) and RBI (68) by a Tide freshman. Here is a look at some the more notable freshmen offensive performances in school history.

Player (Year) Season Stats

David Magadan (1981) 55 G, .389 (77-198), 32 R, 20 2B, 1 HR, 43 RBI

Philip Doyle (1988) 30 G, .337 (34-101), 17 R, 2 HR, 16 RBI

Joe Vitiello (1989) 35 G, .353 (42-119), 24 R, 8 2B, 8 HR, 29 RBI

Joe Caruso (1994) 44 G, .303 (50-165), 28 R, 6 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI

Dustan Mohr (1995) 55 G, .293 (72-246), 12 HR, 44 RBI

Sam Bozanich (1998) 59 G, .333 (75-225), 17 2B, 3 HR, 28 RBI

Jeremy Brown (1999) 69 G, .347 (91-162), 20 2B, 15 HR, 68 RBI

Scott McClanahan (1999) 48 G, .321 (27-84), 21 R, 1 HR, 10 RBI

Brent Boyd (1999) 63 G, .313 (73-233), 15 2B, 7 HR, 32 RBI

Ben King (2000) 62 G, .294 (60-204), 51 R, 13 HR, 50 RBI

Peter Stonard (2001) 54 G, .320 (61-194), 34 R, 11 2B, 32 RBI

Cale Iorg (2005) 62 G, .280 (66-236), 40 R, 11 2B, 5 HR, 38 RBI

SIX-PACK: One sure way to know the outcome of an Alabama baseball game this season is to check the scoreboard at the end of the sixth inning. The Crimson Tide is 26-2 (.929) this season when leading after six innings and 5-18 (.218) when trailing after six innings.

SCORING FIRST: Alabama is 19-10 (.655) when scoring first this season and 13-14 (.481) when the opponent scores first. The Crimson Tide is 14-7 (.667) when scoring in the first inning and 9-11 (.450) when the opponent scores in the first inning. There have been 14 games in which neither team scored in the first inning. In SEC play, the trend is reversed as UA is 6-7 (.462) when scoring first and 10-7 (.588) when the opponent scores first. Alabama is 5-4 (.556) in league games when its scores in the first inning and 8-5 (.615) when SEC opponents score in the first inning.

BIG INNINGS: Alabama has scored five or more runs in an inning 13 times this season. The Crimson Tide has eight five-run innings, three six-run innings and two eight-run innings. Alabama scored eight runs in the seventh inning against both Youngstown State (March 7) and Mississippi State (April 19) and in both innings the Tide hit three home runs. Alabama has scored at least five runs in an inning in four of its last seven SEC games. UA opponents have scored five or more runs in an inning eight times this season, including two five-run innings, two six-run innings, two seven-run innings and two eight-run innings.

SPECIALTY STATS: Here is a look at some of the specialty stats heading into the SEC Tournament.

*Alabama is hitting .267 (20 for 75) with the bases loaded this season, to rank 10th in the SEC. In SEC play, Alabama is hitting .211 (8 for 38) with the bases loaded, which also ranks 10th in the league.

*The Crimson Tide is second in the SEC wit 166 two-out RBI this season. Kentucky leads the league with 168 two-out RBI. The Tide is hitting .314 (209 for 665), which is the third-best two-out average in the conference. Florida (.329) and Kentucky (.327) are first and second in the league this season with two outs.

*In SEC play, Alabama hit .320 (117 for 366) with two outs, second only to Florida's .323 average with two outs.

*Alabama leads the SEC with 81 two-out RBI in conference games. The Crimson Tide scored 18 of its 37 runs in the Georgia series (May 16-17) with two outs. The Tide scored 15 of 21 runs in Friday's twin bill with two outs, including 12 runs in game one.

*Alabama pinch hitters are just 8 for 35 (.229) this season, which ranks seventh in the SEC. In SEC play, UA pinch hitters are hitting .375 (6 for 16) to rank second in average and sixth in pinch hits.

DOUBLE DIPPING: Alabama has compiled a 224-10 (.957) record under since 1995 when scoring 10 or more runs in a game. The Crimson Tide is 14-0 (1.000) this season when scoring 10 or more runs and owns a 40-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 259-13 (.956) all-time record in 268 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 96-3 (.970) 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)

ONE-RUN GAMES: Alabama has compiled a 117-96 (.549) record in 213 one-run games under Wells. The Tide is 7-8 (.468) this season in one-run games. Alabama posted a 5-8 record in one-run games last season. Overall, Wells coached teams are 155-119 (.566) in 274 one-run games. He was 38-23 (.623) in one-run games at Northwestern State.

EXTRA INNINGS: Alabama is 65-62-3 (.511) in extra inning games. The Tide is 22-25 (.468) in extra inning games under Wells, including a 1-3 (.250) this season. UA w

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