2022 SEC Baseball Series Preview: Alabama vs No. 1 Texas
When: Friday, February 25 – Sunday, February 27 on Longhorn Network
Location: UFCU Disch-Falk Field, Austin, TX
Undoubtedly the top series this weekend featuring an SEC Baseball team comes in Austin, TX as undefeated Alabama travels to face the No. 1 team in the country, the Texas Longhorns.
Start Times & Probable Starters:
- Game 1 – Friday, February 25 at 5:30 pm ET
- Alabama – RHP Garrett McMillan (0-0, 6.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 2 BB, 5 K)
- Texas – TBD
- Game 2 – Saturday, February 26 at 2:30 pm ET
- Alabama – LHP Antoine Jean (0-0, 4.50 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 4 BB, 1 K)
- Texas – TBD
- Game 3 – Sunday, February 27 at 2:00 pm ET
- Alabama – LHP Grayson Hitt (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 1 BB, 6 K)
- Texas – TBD
Undefeated at 5-0 to start the season, Alabama travels for the first time in 2022 coming off a series sweep over Xavier, as well as mid-week wins over Jacksonville State and Alabama State.
The Crimson Tide have gotten strong play to start the year from a few hitters in particular such as Caden Rose and Jim Jarvis, both of which are currently batting for a .400+ AVG, as well as Drew Williamson and Dominic Tamez who are tied for the team lead with two home runs. Also featuring in Alabama’s lineup is outfielder William Hamiter who is tied for the team-lead with seven hits, as well as others including Owen Diodati and Zane Denton.
The Alabama bullpen is headlined by left-hander Brock Guffey who has pitched two scoreless appearances so far, as well as right-hander Hunter Hoopes who also owns a save. In addition to those two, others such as Hunter Furtado, Jacob McNairy, Landon Green, and more will also likely see time.
Ranked as the No. 1 team in the country, Texas is also off to 5-0 start to the season, holding a dominant series sweep over Rice and two mid-week road wins over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
The Longhorns lineup is led by Silas Ardoin who is off to an 8-for-16 start to the season with nine RBI’s, as well as five others with a .300+ AVG including Eric Kennedy, Austin Todd, Douglas Hodo III, Murphy Stehly, and Trey Faltine. In addition to that group, first baseman Ivan Melendez leads the Longhorns with two home runs and 10 RBI’s.
A talented pitching staff overall, the Texas bullpen is anchored by names such as Travis Sthele, Luke Harrison, and Aaron Nixon. Daniel Blair and Lebarron Johnson Jr have also made multiple appearances this season.
Arguably the biggest series around all of college baseball this weekend, it will be a tough-test for Alabama to go into Austin against one of the nation’s best teams. A series sweep for the Longhorns is certainly a possibility, but I’ll say that the Crimson Tide take at-least one game.
Prediction: Texas 2-1