Baseball Games of the Week (4/4 - 4/6)
#8 Arkansas at #24 Alabama (4/4 7:05 CT ESPN U, 4/5 6:35 CT, 4/6 1:05 CT)
Alabama: At 18-11, Alabama doesn't come in with a sparking record but their 7-2 record in the SEC puts them at second in their division, just behind LSU and ahead of Arkansas, their opponent this weekend. This series starts a rough stretch of SEC matchups for the Tide, who play Mississippi and LSU the next two weekends, then have to travel to both Mississippi State and Vanderbilt before the season is over. With just a .260 average, Alabama doesn't seem like a team that would scare you offensively. But six of their regulars have averages above .276 and three of them have two home runs each, all six the team has belted this year. Six hitters also have 14 RBI or more. However, the team has done much better in the conference portion of the season, leading the SEC with a team .305 average.
Just as their offense, the Tide's pitching has been stellar in conference play, especially Spencer Turnbull. The sophomore right-hander is coming off of a complete game shutout of Auburn, a game in which he allowed only four hits. Turnbull has a 3-0 record in 23 innings and a 0.39 ERA in conference play. He's also allowed just one run in SEC play.
Arkansas: The Razorbacks are coming off a 4-1 week that included a series win over Mississippi State. Arkansas is one game behind Alabama in the SEC West standings. Last week, Tyler Spoon led the Razorbacks at the plate, batting .316 (6-for-19) with two RBI and three runs scored. Jacob Mahan batted .313 (5-for-16) with a RBI and two runs scored, while Matt Vinson drove in a team-high five runs on the week.
On the mound, Randall Fant turned in his fourth consecutive quality start in the series finale on Sunday vs. Mississippi State. Fant allowed one run on four hits and struck out five in six innings of work to lead the Razorbacks to a series victory over the Bulldogs. Jalen Beeks pitched in three games on the week and had a 1-0 record with a save. Beeks worked four scoreless innings on the week and has now tossed 14 consecutive shutout innings over his last nine appearances. Colby Suggs picked up a pair of saves in the series vs. Mississippi State, striking out a pair in 1.2 hitless innings.
Troy at Louisiana (4/5 6 PM CT, 4/6 6 PM CT, 1 PM CT)
Louisiana: The Cajuns come in with a 20-8 record, but have struggled to a 4-5 conference record. However, they are undefeated at home thus far in conference play. Caleb Adams is the team's bopper, hitting seven home runs and knocking in 24 runs. He's accumulated those stats in just 22 games, 18 of which were starts. Other top hitters include Tyler Girouard, who has four doubles, three triples, four home runs and 21 RBI. Michael Strenz has an impressive 10 doubles.
On the mound, Cody Boutte has the most impressive record as a starter at 5-1, but also carries a 4.87 ERA. Matt Hicks has eight saves and three wins in his 14 appearances and a 2.63 ERA.
Troy: Troy comes in on a seven game winning streak and unlike their opponents, they have a 6-3 conference record. Three hitters are batting .394 or better, including Danny Collins, who leads the team with six home runs, 11 doubles and 39 RBI. Trae Santos has knocked five balls out of the park and driven in 35.
Shane McCain is the team's top starting pitcher, carrying a perfect 5-0 record in seven starts, with a 3.46 ERA, a complete game and a shutout. He's also struck out 43 and walked only seven. That's a 6:1 strike out to walk ratio. All three of their weekend starters have at least 37 strikeouts.
