Preview: Alabama Looks to Regroup in Midweek Matchup with Samford

Last weekend, Alabama baseball (15-15) was swept for the first time all-season by third-ranked LSU. The two teams played a total of 38 innings--the most in Alabama's recorded history across a three game series-- but they could not manage to take at least one game from the Tigers. The Crimson Tide dropped to 4-8 in conference play with the loss.

Alabama looks to recuperate from the sweep in a midweek matchup at Samford. The Bulldogs (14-16) will be looking to even things up after the Tide beat them 8-6 earlier this season. They are coming off of a series win over North Carolina-Greensboro, and are in position to take down an emotionally drained Alabama.

The Bulldogs' projected starter for the game is LHP Eric Wright (2-2, 5.68 ERA, 19.0 IP, 18 SO, 6 BB). Samford head coach Casey Dunn is going with Wright instead of his usual Tuesday night starter Tristan Widra. Widra gave up six hits and five runs in 4.1 innings against Alabama in March. Wright will look to take advantage of the Tide's lingering inconsistencies at the plate. Alabama batters have struck out 251 times this year with 42 of those strikeouts coming in their series loss to LSU.

The Tide's batting struggles have also resulted in missed opportunities, which includes leaving 38 runners stranded across all three games last weekend. Despite the struggles, the team carries more than enough talent to compete with any team in the country with players like Casey Hughston (.387 AVG, 46 Hits, and 27 RBIs) and Mikey White (.368 AVG, 42 Hits, and 23 RBIs).

Alabama probable starter Jake Walters will play a big role in helping his team compete with Samford. Walters (2-1, 2.41 ERA, 18.2 IP, 22 SO, 9 BB) only allowed two hits in 6.0 innings pitched the last time he faced the Bulldogs. However, Samford can make you pay in a hurry with their power. They are second in the Southern Conference in home runs with 32. Just to put that into perspective, Alabama has 12 home runs this season. Third baseman Hunter Swilling is the biggest threat in the lineup as he leads the Bulldogs in hits (39), RBIs (33), and home runs (7).

The Crimson Tide owns the all-time series over Samford, 94-15. The Bulldogs have not beaten Alabama since 2011. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm CT at Joe Lee Griffin Field in Birmingham.