The Alabama Crimson Tide will host the St Johns Red Storm this weekend with a trip to Omaha for the College World Series on the line. The Tide swept through the Tuscaloosa Regional to advance while the Red Storm worked their way through the Tallahassee Regional as a four seed, beating host Florida State twice. The Super’s are a best 2-3 series and the teams will play Saturday at 8 p.m. CT, Sunday at 2 p.m. CT, and at to be determined time in the if necessary game on Monday. The Tide will host a Super Regional for the first
time since 2006 and will playing to reach the College World Series for the first time since 1997. The Johnnies have a long baseball history, having been to six College World Series and have 28 Regional appearances. SJU last reached Omaha in 1980. Alabama has a record of 40-19 while St Johns is 36-24 after starting the season 1-10.
St Johns is on an eight game winning streak after sweeping through the Big East Tournament and the Tallahassee Regional. The Storm carries a team batting average of .282 with a .420 slugging percentage, a .380 on base percentage with 54 home runs, 102 doubles, have stolen 92 bases in 120 attempts, 272 walks, 69 hit batters, with 414 strikeouts. Defensively SJU has committed only 49 errors for a .978 fielding percentage.
Individual Offense Leaders:
*Jayder Raifstanger- third baseman-.336 average, 16 doubles, 5 triples, 49 RBI
*Jon LeGrande-centerfield-.329 average, 6 home runs, 45 RBI, 14 doubles, 27-40 stolen bases
*Shaun McMillian-first baseman-.318 average, 10 home runs, 43 RBI, 10 doubles
*Lewis Rodriguez-left fielder-.303 average, 16 stolen bases
*Adam Agresti-catcher-.290 average, 14 doubles, 19 home runs, 54 RBI, .621 slugging percentage, 9-9 stolen bases
On the mound the Red Storm has an ERA of 5.36 over 527 innings pitched and have allowed 546 hits and a batting average of .268 against. The staff has 433 strikeouts against 241 walks.
Individual Pitching Leaders:
*Liam O’Leary-RHP-16 starts 8-4, 3.25 ERA, 105 innings, 95 hits allowed, .240 average against, 28 walks, 74 strikeouts
*Evan Chaffee-LHP- Alabama transfer- 16 starts, 8-4, 4.85 ERA, 81.1 innings, 88 hits allowed, .276 average against, 32 walks, 83 strikeouts
*Ian Mowart-RHP- 15 games, 11 starts, 2-5 5.36 ERA, 50 innings, 56 hits, .283 average against, 21 walks, 34 strikeouts
*Jack Nestler- RHP- 19 games, 2-0, 2 saves, 3.06 ERA, 47 innings, 40 hits allowed, .227 average against, 20 walks, 35 strikeouts
*Evan Hoeckele-RHP-19 games, 2 starts, 4-0, 7 saves, 3.26 ERA, 38.2 innings, 33 hits allowed, .236 average against, 11 walks, 42 strikeouts
St Johns is on a roll, and can’t be taken lightly. However the Tide is a favorite in the series for a reason, and should be able to take care of business and earn that long awaited return to the Mecca of college baseball in Omaha. We will look at Alabama’s leaders on tomorrow.
Roll Tide
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