2022 SEC Baseball Series Preview: Alabama vs Xavier
When: Friday, February 18 – Sunday, February 20 on SEC Network+
Location: Sewell-Thomas Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
After making a regional appearance last season, Alabama enters the 2022 campaign as one of the more intriguing teams in SEC Baseball. Tasked with replacing a few key starters, the Crimson Tide open the year at home against one of the Big East’s top teams in the Xavier Musketeers.
Start Times & Probable Starters:
- Game 1 – Friday, February 18 at 4:00 pm ET
- Alabama – RHP Garrett McMillan
- Xavier – LHP Trevor Olson
- Game 2 – Saturday, February 19 at 3:00 pm ET
- Alabama – LHP Antoine Jean
- Xavier – RHP Bryce Barnett
- Game 3 – Sunday, February 20 at 2:00 pm ET
- Alabama – LHP Grayson Hitt
- Xavier – RHP George Eisenhardt
The Crimson Tide are coming off a 2021 season in which Alabama finished 32-26 overall (12-17 in SEC), and do return multiple names that will start in the 2022 season opener such as third baseman Zane Denton, first baseman Drew Williamson, shortstop Jim Jarvis, outfielder William Hamiter, and more.
In addition to this, a few newcomers will likely take center stage this weekend in Tuscaloosa such as transfers Tommy Seidl, Dominic Tamez, and Eric Foggo, as well as right-hander Garrett McMillan making his first start with the Crimson Tide on Friday night.
One of the top overall teams in the Big East, Xavier enters the 2022 season off a 28-26 campaign a year ago (15-11 in Big East), one that ended with a loss in the Big East Championship game. Despite losing a few key names such as Nick Zwack, the Musketeers do also return players such as outfielder Andrew Walker (.316 AVG, 5 HR in 2021), as well as catcher Jerry Huntzinger.
In addition to those two, Friday night starter for Xavier Trevor Olsen also returns in 2022, and is coming off an impressive 2021 season in which the right-hander posted a 2.97 ERA across 14 appearances (10 starts).
When looking at the opening series’ among SEC Baseball teams this weekend, there are few that stick-out more than this, setting up what should-be three very-entertaining games in Tuscaloosa. As for the series prediction, I’ll say that Alabama takes at-least two-of-three, but don’t rule out a sweep for the Crimson Tide.
Prediction: Alabama 2-1