The Alabama baseball team will take on another top 10 squad this weekend as they host the # 8 Arkansas Razorbacks in a three game series at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in the season's final home stand.
Arkansas (38-14, 16-8) is currently second overall in the SEC and first in the SEC West and will certainly provide stiff competition for the Tide. The Hogs are led by a stellar pitching staff which includes Friday nights starter, Nick Schmdit (9-1, 2. 69 ERA), Saturday starter Jess Todd, (7-2, 3.07), and Sunday's starter Duke Welker (5-2, 3.50). Offensively, Arkansas is led by Danny "The Hammer" Hamblin, who enters the series hitting .275 with 17 HR, and 51 RBIs and Logan Forsythe, who is hitting .345 with 6 HR, and 42 RBI.
Alabama (27-22, 11-13) enters the series fighting to reach the SEC Tournament. Alabama is currently in 8th place, which is the final spot as 8 out of the league's 12 teams make the tourny. If Alabama can close out the season strong they could shoot up the standings as the 3rd place through 10th place teams are only separated by 3 1/2 games.
Alabama is led offensively by senior CF Emeel Salem, who is hitting .347 with 6 HR and 29 RBIs. Sophomore Alex Avilla leads the Tide with 46 RBIs and 11 HR. The weekend rotation will see sophomore Tommy Hunter (5-4, 4.00 ERA) start on Friday night, sophomore Miers Quigley (4-5, 4.09) getting the ball on Saturday, and converted set up man Will Stroup (1-0, 4.01) starting on Sunday.
Alabama will need to play very well to win this series, as honestly, Arkansas is a better club. The Razorbacks are experienced, talented, and very good this year. While Alabama is much younger than the Hogs, a series win would put the Tide in good position to make the SEC Tournament later this month.
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