Bama Baseball Blasts Southern Miss 12-5
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Alabama baseball head coach Greg Goff, "I thought this was one of our biggest team wins that we've had, and of my career, honestly. Just a lot of courage from our hitters, and some of our guys that hadn't played a lot stepped up [last night]. You look at everyone we used, and it took everybody [Wednesday night], to beat a very good Southern Miss team."
The batting barrage came in the second and seventh innings last night, with the Tide scoring 10 of its 12 runs across these two key innings for the offense. Along with the bats, the Bama bullpen provided a solid pitching performance down the stretch to help shut down Southern Miss over the final four innings.
Three of Alabama's first four batters combined for a .571 (8-14) clip as well as contributing all 10 RBIs in the contest. It was Chandler Avant and Cobie Vance leading the way as the duo went 3-for-4 apiece with Avant adding a career-high three runs scored. Vance and Hunter Alexander both finished 2-for-3 with a home run as well as the two posting a three-RBI night. Meanwhile Gene Wood rounded out the top of the UA lineup, finishing with two RBIs as well as one run scored to go with his two walks.
The winning pitcher for the Crimson Tide was Zac Rogers (1-0).
Alabama next hosts Oral Roberts University in a three-game series February 24-26 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT on Friday night, followed by a 2 p.m. CT start on Saturday, and finally 1 p.m. CT on Sunday. All three contests can be seen on SEC Network+.
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
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Crimson Tide Baseball Post-Game Press Conference
Alabama Defeats Southern Miss
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| Click HERE to watch press conference via Tide TV |
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Alabama Softball Defeats North Florida 2-0
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
The 8-2 Tide got a really strong start from winning pitcher Sydney Littlejohn (3-0), on the mound for over 5.1 innings and pitching a shutout of North Florida (7-5). Alexis Osorio came on in relief for a perfect five-up, five-down evening with five strikeouts for her first save of the season. Both Bama runs came via a solo home run by Caroline Hardy and an RBI triple by Bailey Hemphill. The losing pitcher was Osprey starter Logan Green (2-4) pitching 4.1 innings with two runs allowed on three hits and seven walks.
UA softball head coach Patrick Murphy said, "I loved Caroline's home run. It was her first career home run. She's hit so many in practice and it was her turn. We told her in batting practice that tonight was the night. Her teammates were really happy for her because she's a great teammate. Bailey's triple was a good shot on a changeup. Both pitchers did great. It starts in the circle and then you play good defense and come up with a couple key hits."
The Crimson Tide will play five games over three days this weekend at the Easton Bama Bash at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Bama welcomes UCF (3-4), Texas Tech (6-4) and Gardner-Webb (3-10). Alabama will open against the Knights on Friday, February 24th at 4 p.m. CT.
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Denzel Devall Is New UA Director Of Player Development
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| Director of Player Development Denzel Devall Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Denzel Devall is the new director of player development for the University of Alabama football program. Devall was hired in July as the Crimson Tide's first player development personnel assistant, then was moved to assistant strength and conditioning coach in January. He has now been elevated to the position of director of player development.
One of the biggest tasks for Devall is assisting in recruiting, something all Bama fans know has been an important factor in Alabama's rise to the top of college football again since the Nick Saban era began. He has already played a role in recruitment since joining the Bama staff.
Devall said, "As player personnel assistant, I recruited, evaluated film and helped with player development — a little bit of everything,"
In addition to his recruiting and other duties, Devall has also become a mentor to the young student-athletes coming to The Capstone.
Devall commented, "A
lot of guys come to me and ask how I would handle a certain situation. I try to give them my reasoning and logic."
Working for Alabama head football coach Nick Saban has its rewards, but the responsibilities of having a prestigious position with Saban and Alabama are demanding. His work day begins just after 5 a.m. CT and many times may extend into the night.
"It's
a never-ending business. There is always something to do," said Devall. "You don't get time to chill. You go from recruiting to
the off-season program, to spring practice and back to recruiting. We're
always grinding and trying to get better. We never stop. I'm always
working."
As far as Alabama's 2017 recruits go, Devall has at one time or another met with each and every one of them. He has especially been heavily involved in the recruitment of the Tide's haul from the state of Louisiana.
Devall said, "I helped with the majority of the class, but my main responsibility is Louisiana."
The NCAA rules and regulations allow for only on-field coaching staff to travel to meet with recruits, thus, Devall is limited to on-campus contact. "Once
they come on campus, we have them," Devall said. "It doesn't take much.
This place sells itself. They just need a younger cat who has played
here to reassure them. I talk to them about how to carry themselves,
things like that.
"I love recruiting," Devall said. "You just have to know how to talk to people. There's an art to it."
Devall learned from one of the best, and applies many of the same recruiting techniques that he learned while
being recruited himself by former Alabama assistant Al Groh.
"I learned recruiting from the guy who recruited me," Devall said. "I just picked up on recruiting from coach Groh."
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team will close out its two-game
homestand tonight hosting SEC East foe Georgia at Coleman Coliseum at 6 p.m. CT. Bama will be looking for a season sweep
of the Bulldogs after defeating Georgia on January 25th 80-60 in Athens, Georgia.
This will be the 145th meeting between the two schools, with the Tide leading the all-time series, 94-50. The previous 144 meetings between UA and UG ranks seventh and the 94 victories is fourth all-time in program history. Though Alabama won 80-60 at Georgia earlier this season, the Dogs have claimed three of the last four games over Bama.
Most recently, Alabama captured its third win over the last four games with a 90-72 victory over LSU last Saturday.
Former University of Alabama defensive line coach Bo Davis has picked up a new college coaching gig. UTSA head coach Frank Wilson has hired Davis as his new defensive line coach.
Davis resigned from UA after an investigation into allegations of an improper visit with recruits, and subsequently not being forthcoming during the inquiry.
Karl Dunbar was hired at Alabama as Davis' replacement.
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Alabama Men's Basketball Hosts Georgia Tonight
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
This will be the 145th meeting between the two schools, with the Tide leading the all-time series, 94-50. The previous 144 meetings between UA and UG ranks seventh and the 94 victories is fourth all-time in program history. Though Alabama won 80-60 at Georgia earlier this season, the Dogs have claimed three of the last four games over Bama.
Most recently, Alabama captured its third win over the last four games with a 90-72 victory over LSU last Saturday.
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Bo Davis Gets A New Job
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| Bo Davis Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Davis resigned from UA after an investigation into allegations of an improper visit with recruits, and subsequently not being forthcoming during the inquiry.
Karl Dunbar was hired at Alabama as Davis' replacement.
