Crimson Tide Hosts Nicholls State
2/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 23, 2009
Alabama-Nicholls State Game Notes 
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 23-ranked Alabama baseball team opens a two-game series with the Nicholls State Colonels on Tuesday, February 24, at 6:35 p.m. The two teams will also meet on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 4:05 p.m.
The Crimson Tide is looking to rebound from a season-opening series loss to Southeast Missouri State. Alabama lost its season-opening series for the third time in the last four years when the Crimson Tide dropped two games to the Southeast Missouri State this past weekend in Tuscaloosa. After a 5-1 win in the season opener, Alabama fell 8-3 and 8-4 in the next two games, losing its fifth non-conference home series since 2006.
"We thought we would score runs," Alabama head coach Jim Wells said. "We thought we'd have some run support and let some of the pitchers get in without pitching in tight games, but none of that took place."
Senior right fielder Kent Matthes was the Tide's hitting star against the Redhawks, going 4-for-11 (.364) with two home runs, two RBI and three stolen bases. He was the only UA player to hit safely in all three games.
Alabama will send senior left-hander Miers Quigley (1 GS, 0-1, 6.75 ERA) to the mound in Tuesday's opener. Quigley started game two of the Southeast Missouri State over the weekend, but retired only four batters. Junior right-hander Austin Graham will get the start in game two of the series.
Nicholls State (3-0) is coming off a three-game sweep of Chicago State this past weekend in Thibodeaux, La. The Colonels posted three lopsided wins and outscored CSU, 46-5. It was an impressive first weekend for an NSU team that posted a 7-49 record in 2008.
Senior second baseman Keith Kulbreth hit .636 (7-for-11) in the series, with nine runs scored, three home runs and seven RBI. He compiled a 1.455 slugging mark in the three games.
The Crimson Tide will have several promotions for the Nicholls State series, including "Dollar Day" and "Family Night" at the Joe. All seats are just one dollar for the Nicholls State series and families can get four tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips and four drinks for $20.
The Nicholls State series will also feature "Future All-American Night", where all youngsters can stand on the field with the Crimson Tide during the National Anthem.
