Baseball Team Meets Auburn in Capital City Classic
3/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 8, 2010
Capital City Classic Game Notes (March 8) 
TODAY'S GAME: The Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers meet in the second annual Capital City Classic on Tuesday, March 9, at 7 p.m. (CT) at Montgomery's Riverwalk Stadium. Alabama will be the designated visiting team and occupy the third base dugout in this year's non-conference meeting. Auburn won the inaugural Capital City Classic 8-7 on March 10, 2009. The Tigers scored two runs in the ninth inning for the win. Alabama had taken a 7-6 lead on Jake Smith's two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The game was played in front of 7,489 fans, the second largest crowd in Riverwalk Stadium history. There are a limited amount of outfield berm seats ($18 each) remaining for Tuesday's game. Alabama brings an 8-1 record into the non-conference game, while Auburn sports a 9-2 record and a six-game winning streak.
HEAD COACH Mitch Gaspard: Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard is 8-1 (.889) in his first season as the Crimson Tide's head coach. Overall, he has compiled a 219-129 (.628) record in seven seasons as a head coach. He was named the school's 30th head coach on Tuesday, Sept. 1, replacing Jim Wells, who retired after 15 seasons. Gaspard begins his 10th overall season with the Crimson Tide baseball program this spring, after serving two stints as an assistant coach under Wells from 1995-2001 and 2008-09, where he helped land some of the nation's top recruiting classes. Gaspard spent six years as the head coach at Northwestern State, where he compiled a 211-128 (.622) record from 2002-07. He led the Demons to a pair of Southland Conference championships, one SLC Tournament title and a berth into the 2005 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional.
PITCHING AND DEFENSE: Alabama ranks second in the SEC in earned run average and fielding percentage heading into Tuesday's Capital City Classic. The Crimson Tide pitching staff sports a 2.86 ERA, joining league-leading Vanderbilt as the only teams with a sub 3.00 ERA this season. Defensively, Alabama has posted a .981 fielding percentage in 10 games and is tied with league-leading Mississippi (.985 fielding) for the fewest errors (6) in the SEC. Alabama pitchers have allowed the fewest hits (69), fewest runs (26), fewest earned runs (25) and fewest walks (16) this season. The Crimson Tide is second in opponent's batting average (.237). Junior right-hander Jimmy Nelson leads the league with a 19:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and is sixth in ERA (1.12) and eighth in opponent's batting average (.186). Sophomore left-hander Adam Morgan is third in the SEC with 23 strikeouts.
ALABAMA HITTING NOTES: Alabama is hitting .331 and averaging 9.3 runs and 11.3 hits per game through nine games ... this time last year, Alabama was hitting only .304 and was averaging 7.4 runs and 10.8 hits per game ... Alabama is 15-for-19 in stolen bases this season, compared to 9-for-9 this time last year ... the Crimson Tide has three double-digit scoring games and five double-digit hit games this year ... Alabama has outscored the opposition 28-2 in the first three innings this season ... the Tide is 15-for-19 in stolen bases this season, including 12-for-13 in the last four games ... Alabama was 8-for-9 on the base paths against Charleston ... Alabama is 5-for-10 with the bases loaded this year ... UA starters are hitting .303 with six home runs and 57 RBI ... the bench is hitting .543 (19-for-35) ... UA pinch-hitters are 9-for-18 (.500).
ALABAMA PITCHING NOTES: Alabama has eight wins, two saves, three holds and 2.86 ERA through nine games ... the Crimson Tide pitching staff has held the opposition to 2.4 runs and 7.2 hits per game ... this time last year, Alabama was 6-3 with 4.22 ERA and had allowed 87 hits in 81 innings on the mound ... the Tide pitched its first shutout of the 2010 season on Saturday, beating the College of Charleston 4-0 ... the game was the Tide's first shutout since a 12-0 win over South Alabama on March 18, 2009 ... the game marked UA's first road shutout since a 5-0 win at Jacksonville State on March 26, 2008 ... the 4-0 win marked the first time Charleston had been shutout at home since a 6-0 loss to top-ranked Clemson on March 3, 2006 ... Alabama's starters are 5-0 with a 2.62 ERA in nine starts ... the starters have logged 44 2/3 innings and allowed 13 runs and 36 hits with 54 strikeouts and nine walks (6:1 ratio) ... opponents are hitting .226 against the Tide starters ... the Tide's bullpen is 3-1 with three holds, two saves and 3.18 ERA this season ... the relievers have worked 34 innings and allowed 13 runs and 34 hits with 34 strikeouts and seven walks ... opponents are hitting .284 against UA relievers this season ... UA relief pitchers have retired 21 of 28 first batters this season and stranded seven of eight inherited runners.
ALABAMA FIELDING NOTES: Alabama is fielding .981 through nine games this season and has committed only six errors ... three of those errors came in the Tide's 7-6 loss at College of Charleston on March 7 ... the Tide has played six errorless games this season ... from Feb. 27-March 7, Alabama logged 35 2/3 consecutive errorless innings and fielded 133 consecutive chances without an error ... Alabama has six outfield assists this season, by five different players, including freshman left fielder Brett Booth (2), sophomore center fielder Taylor Dugas (1), senior right fielder Cal Tinsley (1), freshman right fielder Andrew Miller (1) and junior left fielder John David Smelser (1) ... Alabama had three outfield assists against the College of Charleston, including two by Booth (March 5) and one by Smelser (March 7) ... Booth tied an Alabama single-game record with two outfield assists in the series opener at Charleston ... G.W. Keller (vs. Southern Cal, 1997), Chad White (at LSU, 2002) and Gabe Scott (vs. Mississippi, 2004) also had two outfield assists in one game ... UA has thrown out five runners at home this season.
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON RECAP: Alabama notched a hard-fought series win against the College of Charleston at Patriots Point in Charleston, March 5-7. The Crimson Tide won the first two games 6-2 and 4-0 before dropping the finale, 7-6. Alabama led 6-5 with two outs in the ninth inning and found itself one strike away from the sweep, but the Cougars rallied to win.
The Crimson Tide won the series with pitching and defense, holding the Cougars to just two runs in the first two games. Overall, Alabama pitchers allowed nine runs (8 ER) and 30 hits in 26 2/3 innings and recorded 32 strikeouts and five walks. The staff compiled a 2.70 ERA and held Charleston to a .283 batting average. Alabama also played errorless games in the two wins.
Alabama produced enough offense to win the series, despite hitting .204 (19-for-93) with eight extra base hits and 12 RBI. UA averaged 5.3 runs and 6.3 hits per game. Sophomore center fielder Taylor Dugas led the Tide with a .500 (5-for-10) average at the plate. He added one double, one triple, two RBI and walked three times. Junior shortstop Josh Rutledge hit .364 (4-for-13) in the series with five runs scored, one triple, two home runs and team-high four RBI.
Alabama 6, College of Charleston 2 (March 5, 2010)
The Crimson Tide scored five of its six runs with two outs en route to a 6-2 series-opening win at Patriots Point. Alabama scored three runs with two outs in the third inning and tacked on two more runs with two outs in the seventh. Dugas led the Tide with two hits and two RBI, including a two-run single with two outs in the third inning. Adam Morgan worked five innings and allowed one run and six hits with six strikeouts and two walks. The bullpen added four solid innings with junior Brett Whitaker getting the final two outs for his first save.
Alabama 4, College of Charleston 0 (March 6, 2010)
The Alabama baseball team got a strong pitching performance from a trio of right-handers and the Tide manufactured enough offense for a 4-0 win over the College of Charleston.
Junior right-hander Jimmy Nelson fired six shutout innings with a career high 11 strikeouts, while the bullpen tandem of sophomore right-hander Tyler White and junior right-hander Brett Whitaker blanked the Cougars over the final three innings, giving the Tide its first shutout since a 12-0 win over Alabama A&M on March 18, 2009. Nelson held the Cougars to six hits through six innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts and no walks. The 11 strikeouts tie sophomore Adam Morgan for the most by an Alabama pitcher this season.
College of Charleston was shut out at home for the first time since dropping a 6-0 decision to No. 1 ranked Clemson on March 3, 2006. The Cougars were last blanked 7-0 at The Citadel on May 16, 2009.
Alabama scored its four runs on two wild pitches and two sacrifice flies to win its eighth straight game to open the season. The Crimson Tide managed only three singles, but took advantage of seven walks, five stolen bases and three wild pitches to earn the series-clinching win.
College of Charleston 7, Alabama 6 (March 7, 2010)
The Alabama baseball team one strike away from its ninth straight win, found itself on the short-end of 7-6 loss in the series finale against the College of Charleston.
Alabama (8-1), who had scored five runs in the seventh inning to retake the lead, held a one-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth inning, but a two-out double and costly throwing error led to the tying and winning runs crossing the plate as Charleston rallied past the Crimson Tide.
With two outs in the ninth and senior closer Jake Smith on the mound, Charleston pinch-hitter Justin Brewer singled to right field to give the Cougars a glimmer of hope. Left fielder Baker Knox, who had three hits, including a solo home run in the sixth inning, lifted a fly ball to right field that sent pinch-runner Dre Watts racing around the bases. Freshman right fielder Matt Taylor, who entered the game in the ninth inning for defensive purposes, threw to second baseman Ross Wilson, who threw wildly back toward the infield and the ball sailed into the left field foul grounds as Watts and Knox scored the tying and winning runs to give the Cougars a walk-off 7-6 win.
The throwing error was Alabama's third error of the game. The Crimson Tide had committed only three errors in its first eight games this season.
Josh Rutledge almost single-handedly won the game for the Tide. He was 2-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in the loss. His solo home run in the first inning gave the Tide an early 1-0 lead. He added a three-run home run to cap a five-run seventh to put the Tide in front 6-4.
Alabama trailed 4-1 after six innings, but battled back to score five runs on six hits in the seventh inning to take a 6-4 lead. After being held in check for the first six innings by Charleston starter Josh Salay, the Tide opened the seventh inning with four straight hits to cut into the lead.
2010 MAX CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC: Alabama and Auburn will meet in the second annual Capital City Classic on Tuesday, March 9. The non-conference game is sponsored by the Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Club (Southern League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays). A limited number of lawn seats, priced at $18 each, remain for the game. This will be the second straight year Alabama and Auburn have met in a non-conference regular season game. The Crimson Tide and Tigers met annually throughout state during the 1980s and 1990s, including a seven games at Montgomery's Paterson Field from 1990-96. Alabama won four of those seven meetings, including a 2-0 decision on April 2, 1996. In 1993 and 1995, the Tide and Tiger's played one SEC game at Paterson Field. Auburn won 11-3 in 1993, while Alabama beat top-ranked Auburn 10-5 in 1995 in front of a then state-record 8,543 fans on May 12, 1995. Alabama has compiled a 5-8 all-time record in the city of Montgomery, dating back to its first game against the Cincinnati Reds during the 1918 season. The Crimson Tide has also played Vanderbilt (1924), Georgia Tech (1926) and Troy (2007) in the capital city.
CAPITAL CITY RECORD: The Crimson Tide owns a 5-8 all-time record in the city of Montgomery, since its inaugural game against the Cincinnati Reds during the 1918 season. Alabama and Auburn played six games in the capital city from 1990-96, with the Tide winning four of those games. Alabama won the inaugural meeting, 9-2, in 1990. The teams alternated wins from 1990-93, before the Tigers won back-to-back games in 1993-94. Alabama won the final two meetings in 1995 and 1996. The Tide knocked off No. 1 ranked Auburn 10-5 on May 12, 1995 in the only SEC meeting in Montgomery between the two schools. Dustan Mohr clouted two home runs and knocked in five runs in the win. He smacked a three-run home run in the third inning and added a two-run blast in the fifth. The following year, Alabama came within two outs of a no-hitter in a 2-0 win on April 2, 1996. Cory Spiers (5 IP), Manny Torres (3 IP) and Skip Ames (1 IP) combined on the one-hit, shutout. AU second baseman Rob Macrory broke up the no-hitter with a one-out single to center. Dominic Rich then hit into a game-ending double play. Alabama beat Auburn all four times during the 1996 season and held the Tigers to one run in four games.
ALL-TIME MONTGOMERY GAMES
Year Result
1918 Cincinnati Reds 10, Alabama 2
1924 Alabama 8, Vanderbilt 4
1926 Georgia Tech 12, Alabama 6
Georgia Tech 12, Alabama 10
1990 Alabama 9, Auburn 2
1991 Auburn 11, Alabama 2
1992 Alabama 7, Auburn 1
1993 Auburn 11, Alabama 3
1994 Auburn 8, Alabama 7
1995 Alabama 10, Auburn 5
1996 Alabama 2, Auburn 0
2008 Troy 5, Alabama 4 (10)
2009 Auburn 8, Alabama 7
RIVERWALK STADIUM: Riverwalk Stadium is the home of the Montgomery Biscuits (Class AA Affiliate of Tampa Bay Devil Rays) of the Southern League. The minor league baseball ballpark opened April 16, 2004. The ballpark, located on Coosa and Tallapoosa Street, is built on a historic train station and has a total capacity of 7,000, including general admission lawn seating. The stadium offers 20 luxury suites. Six of the suites are built into the old train terminal along the first base line and the remaining 14 run along the third base line. Riverwalk Stadium offers picnic areas along the third base line and in left-center field. The picnic area in left-center field can accommodate up to 4,000 Biscuits fans. Both picnic areas tend to be reserved, catered sites through the season, as well. In addition, a children's playground area is located along the third base line. The stadium scoreboard is a $1 million video board with a huge LED screen capable of instant replay. The park was built by HOK Sports, Kansas City, Mo. Montgomery lost its highly successful franchise in 1980 and went 21 years without professional baseball. In 2001, the Montgomery Wings played an independent schedule at Paterson Field, paving the way for baseball's return to Montgomery. In 2004, the Orlando SunRays relocated to Montgomery. The Biscuits won back-to-back Southern League championships in 2006 and 2007, becoming the first team to repeat as league champions since the Montgomery Rebels in 1976-77.
PROFESSIONAL BALLPARKS: The Crimson Tide has played in 23 professional baseball stadiums and will be making its third appearance at Riverwalk Stadium in the 2010 MAX Capital City Classic. The Crimson Tide has played in 21 minor league stadiums and two major league parks in its baseball history. In addition, Alabama has also 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, also served as the home stadium of the Mobile Bay Sharks in the Texas-Louisiana League in the late 1990s. Alabama and Auburn also enjoyed a six-game series at Montgomery's historic Paterson Field from 1990-96. Paterson Field served as the Southern League home of the Montgomery Rebels (Detroit Tigers), who won back-to-back Southern League titles with Alan Trammel and Lou Whitaker in the late 1970s. 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.
AUBURN SERIES: Alabama leads the all-time series with Auburn, 139-115. The two teams first met on the diamond in 1896 with Auburn winning the first two games played in Auburn. Alabama swept a two-game series the following year in Tuscaloosa for its first series win. The two teams split the first 10 meetings, before Alabama won 14 of the next 21 meetings (1901-08) before the series was halted. Alabama and Auburn did not meet in football (1908-48) or baseball (1909-48) for a 41-year period. The series was finally resumed in 1949, with the Crimson Tide and Tigers playing in opposite divisions in the SEC from 1949-75. Alabama has been a long-standing member of the SEC Western Division, while Auburn moved from the Eastern Division to the Western Division after the 1975 baseball season. The Tide and Tigers annually played four games each season, but none of those counted in the SEC standings until 1976. When the series was finally resumed in 1949, Alabama posted a nine-game winning streak en route to a 28-8 record over Auburn during a 36-game stretch from 1949-58. Alabama and Auburn met in the best-of-three SEC Playoffs in 1958, with the Tigers sweeping two games from the Tide at Rickwood Field to win the 1958 SEC Championship. The SEC championship series was part of six-game series winning streak for the Tigers. From 1958-79, Auburn posted a 34-18 record against Alabama. The Tigers also had a series-long nine-game winning streak from 1978-79, winning three straight SEC series with two sweeps. Alabama regained the upper hand in the 1980s, posting a 35-19 record from 1980-89, including a 10-game winning streak from 1980-82. Alabama RHP Vince Barrentine fired a seven-inning no-hitter against Auburn at Plainsman Park in 1981. The Tigers went 14-8 against Alabama from 1990-94. Since 1995, the Tide is 32-24 against the Tigers and has won nine of the 15 series. Alabama beat No. 1 ranked Auburn two out of three in 1995, including a 10-5 win at Montgomery's Paterson Field in front of a then-state record 8,543 fans, on May 12, 1995. The Crimson Tide beat the Tigers four times in 1996 as Auburn managed only one run in 36 innings against Alabama. UA came within two outs of no-hitter against the Tigers at Paterson Field on April 2, 1996 as Corey Spiers, Manny Torres and Skip Ames combined on the one-hitter. Alabama also went 4-0 against Auburn in 2002, including a 6-3 win in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional at the Joe. Alabama and Auburn have met at 11 different sites in the 113-year history of the rivalry. The two teams have also played in Auburn, Selma, Birmingham, Mobile, Dothan, Huntsville, Baton Rouge, La. (1986, 1993 SEC Tournament), Montgomery, Huntsville and New Orleans (Winn Dixie Showdown). Alabama owns a 73-39 all-time series lead in games played in Tuscaloosa, including a 58-34 mark at the Joe since 1948. The two teams will meet in a three-game SEC series on Easter weekend (April 2-4) in Tuscaloosa.
2009 CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC RECAP: Auburn scored two runs in the ninth inning to erase a one-run deficit en route to an 8-7 win over Alabama in the 2009 MAX Capital City Classic in front of 7,489 fans at Montgomery's Riverwalk Stadium Tuesday night. Alabama (8-4) had scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, capped by Jake Smith's go-ahead, two-run home run, to give the Tide its first lead of the game at 7-6. Auburn shortstop Casey McElroy started the ninth inning with a triple to center off UA closer Jimmy Nelson. Justin Hargett's sacrifice fly to left field tied the game at 7-7. AU center fielder Trent Mummey doubled past first baseman Wes Henderson and scored on Ben Jones' two-out double. Nelson allowed two runs and three hits in the ninth inning for his first loss of the season. Auburn right-hander Zack Blatt (1-0) retired all six batters he faced for the win. Alabama rallied from a 6-3 deficit to take a 7-6 lead in the eighth inning on Smith's third home run in his last four games. Ross Wilson opened the inning with an infield single and easily scored on Vin DiFazio's double to left-center field. AU right-hander Taylor Thompson replaced Michael Hurst and was greeted by an RBI double by Taylor Dugas as UA cut the lead to 6-5. Smith then capped the rally with a two-run home run to left-center field to give Alabama a 7-6 lead. The lead was short-lived as Auburn scored twice in the ninth off Nelson to retake the lead. Auburn scored three runs in the first inning to grab an early 3-0 lead. Mummey's solo home run in the second inning made it 4-0. Alabama answered with three runs in the bottom of the third inning on Kent Matthes' NCAA-leading 10th home run of the season. Matthes' drove a 2-2 pitch over the center field wall as the Tide cut the lead to 4-3. Auburn added two more runs in the fourth inning when Kevin Patterson scored on a passed ball by Kyle Moore and Tony Caldwell scored on Hargett's squeeze bunt to give AU a 6-3 lead.
2009 ALABAMA-AUBURN SERIES RECAP: Auburn posted a 3-1 record against Alabama last season, including an SEC series in Auburn to close out the regular season. It was just the Tigers' second series win over the Crimson Tide in the last five years.
The Crimson Tide hit only .279 in the four games last season with 14 extra base hits and 22 RBI. Alabama averaged only 5.6 runs and 9.5 hits per game against the Tigers. Jake Smith was the leading hitter, going 7-for-15 with four runs scored, two home runs and seven RBI in four games. Auburn hit just .244 against the Tide with 11 extra base hits and 16 RBI. Tony Caldwell (5-14, 2 R, HR and 4 RBI) and Brian Fletcher (5-14, 3 R, 1 HR and 5 RBI) both hit .357 to lead the Tigers offense.
Alabama's pitching staff went 1-3 with a 4.01 ERA last year against the Tigers. The Crimson Tide allowed 17 runs and 32 hits in 33 2/3 innings, with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks. Auburn went 3-1 with a 5.14 ERA. The Tigers allowed 23 runs and 38 hits in 35 innings, with 36 strikeouts and 14 walks.
Both teams played good defense last season against one another. Alabama made two errors and turned one double play in the four games, while Auburn made one error and turned four double plays.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS: Auburn brings a 9-2 overall record and six-game winning streak into this year's Capital City Classic.
The Tigers offense is hitting .373 (150-for-402) with 15 home runs and 95 RBI in 11 games. They are averaging 9.0 runs and 13.6 hits per game this season. Auburn has four starters hitting better than .400, including junior outfielder Brian Fletcher, who has had a monster year.
Fletcher is hitting .467 (21-for-45) with six home runs and 24 RBI to pace the Tigers in all three categories. Junior first baseman Hunter Morris is hitting .423 (22-for-52) with two home runs and 11 RBI. He has eight hits and two home runs in the last two games. Junior catcher Tony Caldwell (.415, HR, 6 RBI) and sophomore outfielder Crede Simpson (.413, HR, 11 RBI) have also played vital roles on offense.
The Tigers pitching staff has nine wins, four saves and a 4.99 ERA this season. The staff has worked 101 innings and yielded 72 runs (56 ER) and 122 hits with 107 strikeouts and 35 walks.
Sophomore left-hander Cory Luckie (4 G, 0-0, 3.38 ERA) will make his second start of the season on Tuesday against the Crimson Tide.
On defense, Auburn has made 23 errors (2.1 per game) this season. Sophomore infielder Dan Gamache and senior catcher/outfielder Ryan Jenkins have the most with five errors each.
RECORD VS. IN-STATE SCHOOLS: Alabama owns a 457-228 (.662) all-time record against in-state schools. The Crimson Tide is 2-0 against in-state schools this season after a two-game sweep against South Alabama to open the 2010 schedule. Alabama and Auburn will be meeting for the 255th time on Tuesday at the Capital City Classic. Alabama played its 100th all-time game against South Alabama on Feb. 21 and will face Samford for the 100th time in history on May 12.
All-Time Record vs. In-State Schools
Opponent Series Record
Alabama A&M UA leads, 3-0
Alabama Christian UA leads, 4-1
Alabama State UA leads, 5-0
Auburn UA leads, 139-115
Auburn-Montgomery UA leads, 2-0
Birmingham College UA leads, 9-2
Birmingham-Southern UA leads, 27-15
Faulkner UA leads, 2-1
Jacksonville State UA leads, 22-7
Marion Military UA leads, 12-2
Montevallo UA leads, 11-2
North Alabama UA leads, 19-3
Samford UA leads, 86-12
South Alabama UA leads, 53-47
Springhill College UA leads, 9-4
Stillman UA leads, 17-0
Troy UA leads, 16-7
MICHIGAN STATE SERIES: Alabama leads the all-time series with Michigan State, 6-2. The two teams have not met since the 1994 when UA took two of three from MSU in Tuscaloosa. This will be the Spartans fourth trip to Tuscaloosa and the Joe for baseball. MSU also journeyed to Tuscaloosa in 1957, 1990 and 1994.
Alabama-Michigan State All-Time Scores:
1957 Alabama 12, Michigan State 6
Michigan State 9, Alabama 4
1990: Alabama 10, Michigan State 3
Alabama 4, Michigan State 1 (DH)
Alabama 5, Michigan State 3 (DH)
1994: Alabama 11, Michigan State 1 (DH)
Michigan State 3, Alabama 1 (DH)
Alabama 9, Michigan State 4
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS: Michigan State enters the week with a 6-4 overall record. The Spartans split four games at the BankFirst Baseball Challenge in Starkville, Miss., over the weekend. MSU won two games against SE Missouri State and lost two games to Mississippi State. The Spartans spring break trip continues with a game at Samford on Tuesday, March 9 before coming to Tuscaloosa on Wednesday. MSU concludes its eight-game road trip with games against Jacksonville State (March 11) and Eastern Michigan (March 12) later this week.
The Spartans are hitting .311 (112-for-360) with five home runs and 71 RBI in 10 games.MSU averages 7.6 runs and 11.2 hits per game. Junior outfielder Jeff Holm (.394, 0 HR, 7 RBI), Jonathan Roof (.375, 2 HR, 6 RBI) and Brandon Eckerle (.356, 0 HR, 6 RBI) pace the club on offense.
The pitching staff has six wins, one save and 6.88 ERA this season. The staff has allowed 74 runs and 98 hits in 89 innings with 70 strikeouts and 40 walks.
Michigan State has played exceptional defense in the early porting of the season, committing only six errors (.984) and turning 13 double plays in 10 games.
ALABAMA AGAINST THE BIG 10: Alabama owns a 53-31-3 all-time record against teams that comprise the Big 10 Conference. The Crimson Tide has played 10 of the conference's 11 schools. Alabama has never faced Iowa and Wisconsin no longer fields a college baseball team.
*Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State and Purdue have all played in Tuscaloosa. Northwestern (1937-41) is the only one to have never played here at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
*Alabama and Illinois have met 31 times, the most meeting between the Tide and a Big 10 team. The Crimson Tide has faced Ohio State 14 times and Michigan 10 times in its history.
*Alabama will host Michigan State (March 10) and Minnesota (March 16-17) this season, marking the first time since 1990 that UA has played two Big 10 teams (Michigan State and Ohio State) in the same year.
*The Crimson Tide went 6-0 against the Big 10 during the 1990 season, sweeping three-game series' from the Buckeyes and the Spartans.
*Alabama's record breakdown vs. Big 10 teams:
Opponent Record Last Game
Illinois 19-9-3 1997
Indiana 0-1 1989
Iowa 0-0 N/A
Michigan 5-5 1997
Michigan State 6-2 1994
Minnesota 1-1 2002
Northwestern 6-3 1941
Ohio State 10-4 1991
Penn State 2-3 1995
Purdue 3-2 2000
Wisconsin 1-1 1950
NEXT GAME: Following the Capital City Classic, Alabama will return to Tuscaloosa to open a 10-game home stand beginning with Michigan State on Wednesday, March 10, at 6:35 p.m. (CT). Alabama will wrap up its six-game week with a four-game series against America East preseason favorite Stony Brook this weekend at the Joe.
