Alabama (22-12, 5-7 SEC) is a pretty good team under first year coach Mitch Gaspard (formerly of NW State) and is at the end of a tough road trip. They dropped 2 of 3 at Kentucky last weekend and beat #23 SELA this Wednesday. They are currently unranked, but have the #13 RPI spot. A series win this weekend will easily put them back in the polls.
It's a good thing we had bunting practice this week (both making and fielding them) because Bama is second in the league in sac bunts. They are also the 20th ranked fielding team in the nation, so don't expect alot of errors.
I also don't expect alot of bama fans to travel this time, as their spring game is Saturday and will probably be a packed house.
Offensively, watch out for Teurling's Catholic alum Taylor Dugas (.425, 18 RBI) and Jon Kelton (.393, 23 RBI).
Weather: It's been getting cloudier than i'd like, but it should not rain this weekend, temps in the low 80s and breezy as the sun goes down.
All 3 games are live on Cox Sports this weekend.
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Game 1-Fri, 7pm
LSU - Jr. RHP Anthony Ranaudo (1-0, 2.40 ERA, 15.0 IP, 7 BB, 14 SO)
UA - So. LHP Adam Morgan (4-1, 3.97 ERA, 47.2 IP, 18 BB, 41 SO)
Game 2-Sat, 7pm
LSU - So. RHP Joey Bourgeois (3-1, 6.16 ERA, 38.0 IP, 23 BB, 27 SO)
UA - So. RHP Tyler White (3-2, 2.92 ERA, 24.2 IP, 8 BB, 26 SO)
Game 3-Sun, 1pm
LSU - So. LHP Chris Matulis (5-1, 3.82 ERA, 33.0 IP, 18 BB, 28 SO)
UA - Jr. RHP Jimmy Nelson (4-1, 3.40 ERA, 45.0 IP, 15 BB, 42 SO)
On a side note, I'm in BR this weekend to see the entire series in person. I wont be able to give you the usual game thread coverage, so anyone feel free to pick up the slack. If you are going to the game and you see a man in some ridiculous looking pants, feel free to walk up, say hi, and tell me how much you love/hate the site these days.
After the break, last weeks Inside LSU Baseball