# 13 Bama Baseball Blanks #18 Nebraska 8-0 in Game 1 of Series

Tide Takes 1-0 Series Lead Over Huskers

Coming off two straight losses, the 13th ranked Alabama baseball team responded with a great performance Friday night beating # 18 Nebraska 8-0 at "The Joe". It was the first time a Nebraska team has been shut out since 2003.

Miers Quigley pitched an absolute gem for the Crimson Tide lasting 7 innings and only surrendering 3 hits and striking out four. Josh Copeland continued the dominating performance for Alabama pitching 2 innings and only surrendering one hit and collected three strikeouts.

Alabama (13-4) pounded out 11 hits on the evening and was led offensively by Emeel Salem and Ryan Rhoden, who both went 2-4 and each hit home runs. Freshman Jake Smith also collected multiple hits, going 2-5 on the night.

Nebraska (6-5) ace Tony Watson struggled the entire night and lasted 5.1 innings giving up nine hits and five earned runs. Center fielder D.J. Belafonte collected two of the Huskers four hits. Nebraska used four different pitchers in the game.

The series continues tomorrow afternoon at 4pm CT as Kasey Kebedeaux will get the start for the Crimson Tide.

Baseball Preview: # 18 Nebraska Cornhuskers

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# 13 Crimson Tide Host #18 Cornhuskers in Weekend Set

While most of the students at Alabama are heading to the beach for Spring Break this weekend, the 13th ranked Alabama baseball team will be playing what could be its most pivotal series of the season. Alabama (12-4) is coming off two straight losses and searching for a team identity, takes on nationally ranked Nebraska this weekend at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. This is the last non-conference series before SEC play beings next weekend and a chance for Alabama to see how it stacks up against one of the top teams in college baseball.

Nebraska is 6-4 on the season after going 1-2 at the Stetson Invitational over the weekend. The Huskers dropped their first two games on Sunday, but bounced back with a 6-2 win over Stetson to begin the week. According to the their official website, Nebraska was able to practice outside on Wednesday for the first time since fall drills ended on October 13. I am not sure if not being able to practice outside will be an advantage for Alabama this weekend but it certainly can not hurt. Nebraska has also played all of their games on the road this season.

The Huskers are led offensively by DH/1B Thad Weber, who is hitting .389 on the season with 6 RBIs. Second baseman Jake Opitz leads Nebraska in RBI's with 10 and home runs with 2. He his hitting .343 on the season. Nebraska does not have great power numbers through the first 10 games of the season as they only have seven home runs as a team.

The strength of the team though lies in its starting pitching and they are led by Big 12 preseason Pitcher of the Year Tony Watson. Watson, who will start on Friday night, is considered to be one of the best pitchers in America and is 1-0 on the year with a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings pitched and has recorded nine strikeouts. Sophomore Charlie Shirek (1-2) will start on Saturday and junior Johnny Dorn (1-2) will start on Sunday for the Huskers.

Alabama will counter with a starting rotation of Miers Quigley (2-0, 1.48 ERA) on Friday night, Kasey Kebedeaux (2-1, 1.42 ERA) on Saturday, and Bernard Robert (2-0, 1.80 ERA) on Sunday. With the Crimson Tide having to play five games this week, they must get good outings from their starting pitchers to win the series. Coach Wells had to use multiple guys in the two mid week games and needs the starters to go deep into the games to rest his bullpen as much as possible.

If Alabama can beat Watson on Friday night the odds of winning this series will be in the Crimson Tide's favor. He is by far Nebraska's best pitcher and gives Nebraska the best chance to win. That said, Alabama must play better than it has in its last two games to win this series, or even to avoid a sweep. I think Alabama responds and takes the series.


Nicks Prediction: Alabama wins series 2-1.

Bama Drops SEC Tournament Opener to Kentucky

NIT, Here We Come.

Alabama built an early 10 point lead in the first half, but could not hold on as Kentucky defeated Alabama, 79-67, on Wednesday in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. According to the experts, Alabama needed to win multiple games in the SEC Tournament to have a chance at a NCAA Tournament bid, and with the loss will now decide if it wants to accept a bid to the NIT Tournament.

Kentucky, who will play Mississippi State tomorrow in the second round, was led by juniors Randolph Morris' 18 points and Ramel Bradley's 17 points. Joe Crawford added 16 for the Wildcats. The key to the victory was Kentucky's defense which caused multiple minute long droughts in scoring for Alabama.

Alabama, was led by sophomore Richard Hendrix's 21 points and five rebounds. Sophomore Alonzo Gee added 15 for Alabama, with lone Tide senior Jermareo Davidson chipping in 12 points and 9 rebounds. Mykal Riley also had 12 points for the Tide. Turnovers once again plagued the Crimson Tide as they committed 13 on the afternoon, many that were just unforced, careless ball handling.

Stay tuned to Inside the Tide to see where the Tide ends up in the NIT Tournament.

Baseball Drops Game to Tennessee Tech

Jim Well's club is having a tough week. After losing to Southern Miss on Tuesday night, the 13th ranked Crimson Tide returned home to take on Tennessee Tech, and did not bring their "A-game". Whether it was taking their opponent lightly, playing poorly, or both, Alabama lost, 8-6 on Wednesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

Obviously, Coach Jim Wells was not pleased with the result or with his team. "I don't know of anything that we're doing well right now. All phases of the game lack in something" Wells said after the game.

Alabama (12-4) was led by sophomore Kent Matthes who hit his 5th home run of the season and collected three RBIs. Patrick Kelly got the start for Alabama and gave up 5 runs in only one inning of work, as he took the loss.

Alabama remains at home this weekend to host #17 Nebraska in a three game series starting Friday.

SEC Tournament Round 1 Preview: Kentucky

Crimson Tide Takes on Wildcats in First Round

Before the season many expected Kentucky and Alabama to meet in the SEC Tournament, just not on the first day. Two teams with lofty preseason expectations come staggering into the tournament playing in Game 1 Wednesday, at 12 pm CT, in the Atlanta Georgia Dome.

The meeting will be between the SEC's two most successful conference tournament teams. Kentucky owns a 109-19 (.852) record in the conference tournament and has claimed 25 titles, five more than the rest of the league combined. Alabama is second to UK both in tournament wins (55) and titles (six).

Kentucky(20-10, 9-7) enters the game as the fourth seed from the Eastern Division and is coming off a 85-72 loss at Florida last Sunday. The Wildcats are led by junior center Randolph Morris and his 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Morris has totaled nine double-doubles this season. Tubby Smith starts three guards and both Ramel Bradley (14.1) and Joe Crawford (14) average in double figures per game.

Alabama (20-10, 7-9) needs a couple wins in the tournament to have a chance at an NCAA Tournament bid. If the Tide drops this match up to the Wildcats, the University can start selling tickets to our first round NIT game. Alabama is led by its two big men as sophomore Richard Hendrix is averaging 14. 6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, while senior Jermareo Davidson is averaging 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds. Preseason All American Ronald Steele is listed as questionable for the game as he is battling a knee problem that has affected him all season. If Steele is indeed healthy, he would be a tremendous help for the Tide against the 'Cats.

Alabama won the first meeting this season, 72-61, in Tuscaloosa and needs a similar effort to beat UK for the second time. By pounding the ball inside and trying to get Morris in foul trouble the Tide could exploit Kentucky's lack of depth inside. That said, if Alabama plays like it did in its season finale at Mississippi State, we have no shot. Hopefully, Alabama will come out with high energy and show some toughness, a trait that has been missing all year. This is the last chance to save the season and I think Alabama will take advantage.


Nicks Prediction: Alabama 72 Kentucky 68

#13 Tide Baseball Blanked by Southern Miss

McInnis' Gem Leads Golden Eagles


The newly ranked Alabama baseball team dropped their first road game of the year to #28 Southern Miss in Pearl, MS on Tuesday night. The Crimson Tide could only muster two hits on the evening, one apiece by Emeel Salem and Ryan Rhoden in their worst offensive night of the season.

Bernard Robert (2-1) took the loss for the Crimson Tide pitching 4.2 innings and giving up three runs on six hits. Southern Miss (11-2) was led by starting pitcher Tood McInnis' dominant performance, pitching eight innings and only surrendering one hit and recording six strikeouts.

Alabama (12-3) can avenge the loss on Wednesday night as they host the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at 6:30pm CT at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Tide also host nationally ranked Nebraska this weekend at home.

Nick Johnson Takes Inisde the Tide SEC Basketball Pick Em

Nick Johnson, a 24 year old graduate student at the University of Alabama has won the Inside the Tide SEC Basketball Pick Em for the 2007 regular season with a picking record of 45-19. He was followed in the standings by Bama Pete, Coach Clay, and Hotty Toddy Matt.

We want to think all participants this year and are even discussing a SEC Baseball Pick Em which would occur every weekend when SEC play starts next weekend.

Mr. Johnson was awarded four new tires for his beautiful 1998 Toyota Tacoma truck PLUS a front end alignment for his victory/birthday present.

Baseball Mid Week Games Preview

#16 Crimson Tide With Two Mid Week Games


It is Golden Eagles week as 16th ranked Crimson Tide baseball team has two midweek games this week, traveling to Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS on Tuesday night to take on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and returning home on Wednesday night to take on the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.

Southern Miss(10-2) is coming off a series win this past weekend against the Louisiana-Lafayette Rajun Cajuns. The Golden Eagles are led offensively by James Ewing and Trey Sutton hitting .344 and .340 respectively. Southern Miss is hitting .283 as a team this season.

Starting pitchers have not been announced for the game.


Tennessee Tech(5-6) is coming off a series win vs. Canisisus this weekend. The Golden Eagles are led offensively by Steve Stoper with a .417 batting average and seven RBIs. Josh Goodwin is also second on the team in batting with a .389 average but leads the team in home runs with three and RBIs with 16.

Starting pitchers have not been announced for the contest.


Both games are scheduled to start at 6:30pm CT.

#16 Bama Baseball Sweeps McNeese St.

Tide Ends Homestand with Sweep of Cowboys

Freshman third baseman Jake Smith smashed an RBI single to left field in the bottom of the 11th inning to score senior center fielder Emeel Salem with the winning run as the 16th ranked University of Alabama baseball team posted a 4-3 win over McNeese State to complete a three-game sweep Sunday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

Alabama (12-2) ended their 14 game homestand with the comeback win as the Crimson Tide trailed McNeese St. 3-1 in the 7th inning on Sunday. Tide starter Austin Hyatt took a shutout into the sixth inning. The Cowboys managed only a pair of two-out singles against Hyatt through six innings. Alabama senior Bernard Robert pitched a scoreless 10th inning to get the victory for Alabama and improved to 2-0 on the season.

On Saturday, Alabama used a dominant performance from Kasey Kebedeaux to down the Cowboys 9-1. Keboduex (2-0) throw 94 pitches and only allowed one run over eight innings of work for the win. The eight inning performance is the longest by an Alabama starter this season Alabama had 14 hits in the game and was led by sophomore Alex Avila's three hits, including two doubles. Freshman Brandon May and Jake Smith also added three hits apiece for Jim Wells' club.

Friday nights opening game saw Alabama collect 15 hits, all singles, to down the Cowboys 6-4. Starter Miers Quigley pitched a very solid seven innings giving up two runs on two hits and a career high nine strikeouts. Junior Josh Copeland used his new side arm motion to pitch a scoreless 9th inning for his third save of the season.

Alabama has a busy week ahead as it heads to Pearl, MS on Tuesday to take on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at 6:30 pm. The Tide then returns home to take on Tennessee Tech on Wednesday night, then host the 7th ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers for a three game series starting Friday night at "The Joe".

Tide Basketball Crushed in Starkville

Alabama Run Out of Gym By Bulldogs

They had everything in the world to play for, a share of the SEC West title, vastly helping their chances of an NCAA Tournament bid, and a win over a rival. Instead, all Alabama got was a beating. Mississippi State dominated Alabama most of the afternoon to defeat the Crimson Tide 91-67 in Starkville on Sunday.

Mississippi State(17-12, 8-8) was led by Charles Rhodes 18 points and four blocks to give the Bulldogs their first SEC West title since 2004. Mississippi State had 11 steals and forced 21 turnovers. The Bulldogs are co-SEC West Champs with Ole Miss and both teams will receive a bye in the first round of the SEC Tournament.

Alabama(20-10, 6-8) went from a chance to be SEC West champs to finishing fifth in the division. Alabama center Jermareo Davidson lead the Tide with16 points in his final regular season game at Alabama.

The Tide will now will take on the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the SEC Tournament in Atlanta on Thursday at 1 pm ET. A link to the entire tournament bracket can be found by clicking here: http://secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=3&url_article_id=8487&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2

Tide Heads to Starkville With SEC West On The Line

Alabama Travels to "The Hump" for Biggest Game of the Year

As disappointing as the season has been, it can end on a very positive note this afternoon as Alabama travels to Mississippi State to take on the Bulldogs at 1pm CT on Sunday in the regular season finale. With a win, Alabama will become co-SEC West champions with Ole Miss, who downed Auburn yesterday, and recieves a first round bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament. With a loss, Alabama will enter the SEC Tournament on Thursday as the 5th seed in the West, since Arkansas won yesterday, and play either Kentucky or Georgia in the opening round.

Not only is this game huge for positioning in the SEC standings, but Alabama also needs the win to bolster its NCAA Tournament chances. Alabama is currently 20-9 overall and 7-8 in the SEC. With a win, Alabama will bolster its chances by showing the committee it can win on the road, as the Tide's only SEC road win this season was at LSU. Mississippi State(16-12, 7-8) is led sophomore guard Jamont Gordon, who is averaging 16 ppg and 7.3 rpg. He also leads the team with 4.8 assists per game. Mississippi State is Bama’s oldest opponent in basketball, and was the first college team Alabama ever played. This will be the 177th meeting between the two teams. Alabama leads the series 110-66.

This by far the biggest game of the season for the Tide and it can make up for some of the disappointments this season with a huge road win. That said Alabama will have to play better to get it done. The Tide needed a spirited comeback against Mississippi State to win in Tuscaloosa and does not seem to match up well with the Bulldogs, particularly Jamont Gordon. I just don't have a good feeling about this game, but I really hope I'm wrong.

Nick's Prediction: Miss. St. 74 Alabama 68