MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama baseball will begin a five-game road swing Tuesday when it heads to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take on Alabama at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
First pitch for Tuesday’s contest is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on WNSP 105.5 FM in Mobile, and can be accessed nationwide at www.wnsp.com. Live stats will be available through the multimedia section at www.usajaguars.com.
USA right-hander Anthony Izzio (1-0) will make his second start of the season Tuesday. In his first start of the year, Izzio allowed two unearned runs on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks in six innings pitched to lead the Jags to their first win of the season – a 12-4 decision over Jackson State. He leads South Alabama with a 0.00 ERA.
Alabama right-handed freshman Spencer Turnbull (0-0) will make his first collegiate start Tuesday evening. Turnbull enters the game with a 6.75 ERA, and has three strikeouts and issued two walks in four innings pitched. In two appearances this season, opponents are hitting .333 against him.
South Alabama (2-5) will look to snap a two-game losing skid after dropping the final two games of last weekend’s series with Samford. The Jags enter the week with a team ERA of just over 4.00, and a team batting average of .232.
Drew Cofield leads USA with a .412 batting average, while Nick Zaharion holds the team lead with eight RBI. Nolan Earley leads the Jags in hits (10), doubles (4), total bases (14) and slugging percentage (.519).
Alabama (3-3) enters Tuesday’s matchup with USA on a three-game winning streak after sweeping Arkansas-Pine Bluff last weekend in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide was swept by Florida Atlantic in a three-game season-opening series Feb. 17-18 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. UA has posted a 3.33 team ERA and .275 team batting average in six games this season.
Hunter Gregory leads the Crimson Tide in batting average (.500) and on-base percentage (.538).
Alabama is averaging just over six runs per game, while the Jags have averaged just under six runs per contest in seven games.
The Crimson Tide holds a 54-48 all-time series lead over the Jags after splitting a pair of games last season. South Alabama defeated UA 10-9 in the South Alabama Classic last February at Stanky Field, and dropped a 4-3 decision later in the year in Tuscaloosa.
Tuesday’s contest marks Jaguar head coach Mark Calvi’s first game against a Southeastern Conference opponent at South Alabama. The Jags are 183-163 all-time against SEC opponents, and have defeated Alabama more times (48) than any other SEC opponent.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchaseed by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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Game Notes
