#19 Crimson Tide host Villanova for 3 game set
TUSCALOOSA, AL| When the SEC and the Big East agreed to play each other in the "Big East/SEC Basketball Challenge", the Crimson Tide baseball team thought they would get into the act and schedule a Big East team for the 2007 season. They got their wish, as they play host to the Villanova Wildcats in a three game set this weekend at "The Joe".
#19 Alabama (6-1) is coming off a three game sweep of Canisisus last weekend and is favored to win this series as well. The Crimson Tide has had a very potent offensive attack early in the season, but will be without one its big bats this weekend as freshman Jake Smith will miss the series with a knee injury. Reigning SEC Player of the Week Kent Matthes, will look to continue his offensive onslaught as he is hitting .414 on the season with 4 home runs and 14 RBIs. Alabama is hitting .349 as a team, with 11 home runs, and 61 RBI's.
Villanova (2-1) is coming off a series win last weekend against Norfolk State. This weekend is one of the highlights of the season for the Wildcats and Villanova head coach Joe Gordi has plenty of respect for the Crimson Tide. "Year in and year out, Alabama is one of the top programs in the country," said Gordi . "They won the Southeastern Conference last year and are tough offensively, even with some new players in there this year. They have strong pitching and play like champions. It will be our job to match their energy level and level of confidence in all three games."
'Nova's starting pitchers for series will be Mike Loree (1-0, 0.00 ERA) on Friday night, Josh Eidell(0-0, 13.50 ERA) on Saturday, and Bill Hoffman (0-1, 5.40 ERA) in the Sunday finale. Alabama has not named its starters for the weekend but senior pitcher Bernard Robert is scheduled to make his 2007 debut this weekend. Tommy Hunter, Brandon Belcher, Kasey Kebadueax, and Miers Quigley will also see action on the mound for Alabama this weekend.
This is the first ever meeting between the two schools on the diamond and since Villanova has only played 3 games on the year, not much is known about the Wildcats this season. That said, Villanova should provide more competition for Alabama than Canisius did last weekend, but if Alabama plays well they should have no problem with the Wildcats.
The series begins Friday night with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30pm CT. Game two will be played Saturday at 4pm CT. The series will conclude with the third game scheduled for Sunday at 2pm CT.
Nicks Prediction: Alabama sweeps the series 3-0.
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