While we here at 3SIB primarily concentrate on Alabama/Tennessee football and basketball, we don’t forget about some of the smaller sports at our respective universities. With that in mind, here’s a look at the Alabama Baseball team.
As of now, Alabama is 15-12 overall and tied for first in the SEC West (4-5) with Auburn and Ole Miss. Alabama started the season off poorly, dropping their first series to Cal-Poly, losing twice to UT-Arlington, and dropping one of two to Troy.
After a poor start, Alabama has since rebounded nicely and just in time for SEC play. Alabama was swept in their first SEC series at No. 17 Kentucky, but since has taken 2 of 3 from No. 8 Vanderbilt and No. 23 Ole Miss this past weekend.
Alabama has lost several of their top players from the 2005 Super-Regional team, but the youth that has replaced them is very talented. Alabama is led by senior first-baseman Matt Bentley (.280 7 HR 22 RBI) and junior catcher Alex Avila (.279 8 HR 25 RBI), but there are a few freshmen that are contributing right now as well. Ross Wilson (brother of Alabama QB John Parker Wilson) has started all 27 games and has performed as advertised. Another freshman, Josh Rutledge, leads the team in batting average, hits, runs, and stolen bases.
Taking a look at the remaining schedule, Alabama will play two with UAB this week and finishing the week on the road against LSU.
Alabama’s remaining SEC schedule is (all sites are 3 game series): @LSU, @ Tennessee, Mississippi St., Auburn, @ Arkansas, Florida, and @ Georgia.
Alabama senior first-baseman Matt Bentley
well i may be in the minority, but all baseball posts are welcome with me.