MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama baseball team will play the first of its next five games on the road, beginning Wednesday when it travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take on No. 21 Alabama at 6:05 p.m. at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

South Alabama (13-10, 3-3 SBC) took the final two games of last weekend’s series with ULM, and enters Wednesday’s contest 3-2 in its last five games. The Jaguars faced Alabama earlier this season in the South Alabama Classic, and defeated the then No. 29-ranked Crimson Tide 10-9 at Stanky Field.

Alabama leads the all-time series with the Jaguars 53-48 following this season’s meeting at Stanky Field. USA is 20-36 all-time at Alabama. USA head coach Steve Kittrell is 22-29 all-time against the Crimson Tide.

Jaguar right-hander Carlton Paris (1-1) will take the mound for USA against Alabama left-hander Taylor Wolfe (1-2). Paris tossed a career-high seven innings and allowed just two runs on five hits in the Jaguars’ 4-2 win over Jackson State last week, which marked his first career win as a starter.

Paris is limiting opponents to a .259 batting average this season in four appearances, and has struck out eight batters in 14 2/3 innings.

Wolfe enters Wednesday’s contest with a 4.38 ERA in 24 2/3 innings pitched. The left-hander is limiting opponents to a .191 batting average, and has 26 strikeouts against 10 walks in eight appearances this season.

The Jaguars and Crimson Tide both enter the week batting .291 as a team, while Alabama boasts a team ERA of 3.18.

Brent Tanner and Nolan Earley enter the game each batting .356, which leads South Alabama. Earley leads the Jags in doubles (11), slugging percentage (.533) and on-base percentage (.437), while Tanner holds the team lead with 11 multiple-hit games.

Taylor White and Jordan Patterson share the team lead in home runs with three each, while Jake Overstreet leads the Jaguars in RBI (22). White also leads the team in hits with 34.

Alabama (18-7, 5-1 SEC) swept Kentucky at Sewell-Thomas Stadium last weekend, and enters the week on a season-long seven-game win streak. Since dropping three games at the South Alabama Classic, the Crimson Tide has won 14 of 18 games, including two of three games at Ole Miss to open Southeastern Conference play. Alabama is 16-1 at Sewell-Thomas this season, which includes a 6-5 win over Troy in 11 innings.

Brock Bennett leads Alabama with a .395 batting average, while Jared Reaves leads the Crimson Tide in hits (34) and RBI (22). Taylor Dugas leads Alabama in doubles (9), triples (3), total bases (54), slugging percentage (.593) and on-base percentage (.487), and is tied for the team lead in home runs with two.

Crimson Tide left-hander Jonathan Smart (1-0) leads the team in saves (5), and boasts a 1.57 ERA in 12 appearances this season. Smart is limiting opponents to a .226 batting average, and has 12 strikeouts against six walks in 23 innings pitched.

Wednesday’s game will be broadcast on WNSP 105.5 FM in Mobile, and can be accessed nationwide at www.wnsp.com.

Live stats for the Jaguars contest at Alabama will be available at www.usajaguars.com.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

-USA-

Probable Starting Pitchers
South Alabama – RHP  Carlton Paris (1-1)
Alabama – LHP  Taylor Wolfe (1-2)

TV:  None
Radio:  WNSP 105.5 FM in Mobile