Crimson Red Sports

Alabama will open the 2014 season ranked No. 21 in the nation by Baseball America, as announced on Monday morning with its preseason top 25 poll. The Crimson Tide opens the season on Friday, Feb. 14 against Saint Louis in game one of a three-game series from Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

The Tide returns 21 players, including five position starters and four starting pitchers, from the 2013 NCAA Regional squad. Highlighting the list of returners are 2013 freshmen All-Americans Mikey White at shortstop and Ray Castillo on the mound, along with 2013 gold glove second baseman Kyle Overstreet.

Alabama also returns starters in junior right fielder Ben Moore, sophomore center fielder Georgie Salem and sophomore Chance Vincent, who ended the 2013 season as the team’s designated hitter. On the mound, the Tide returns 2013 weekend starters Spencer Turnbull and Justin Kamplain, along with a host of players in the bullpen including, Tucker Hawley, Jay Shaw, Jake Hubbard, Mitch Greet, Jon Keller and Mike Oczypok.

Hey pmull, didn't we sign a couple of hot dogs with the bats this year? I understood we got a real good pitcher also, but dog it I can not remember his name. RTR!

I think we will see a significant improvement in our baseball program this year.

Here's a link to the new players for this year. http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/111513aae.html

Jamal Howard will join the Tide from Central High School where the 6-3, 205-pounder is rated as the top outfielder in the state, while garnering a 159 nationally ranking by Perfect Game USA. In 2013, Howard hit .355 with six home runs and 27 RBI and stole 17 bases as a junior.


Chandler Avant comes to the Tide from Pike Liberal Arts High School. The 6-0, 175-pounder is rated as the top middle infielder in Alabama, and is ranked 201st in the country by Perfect Game USA. Avant was named the 2013 Alabama Independent Schools Association Hitter of the Year as well as earning 2013 Alabama Sports Writer's Association AISA first team all-state honors. As a junior, he hit .480 with 12 home runs, 38 RBI and 56 runs scored.

These are the 2 guys I had noticed and when we get the top in the state at position players we are going to draw some attention this season. JMHO! RTR!

This is the link for this year's freshmen
 
http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/111612aaa.html
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Thanks for correcting my error. I posted the wrong link real fast without reading it trying to help Ricky out.

Offensively freshman catcher-DH Will Haynie was the big stick, with two home runs, a double and three singles in the three game set. Haynie is a big (6'5" 230 pound) strong player that will be a huge part of this year's team. Senior first baseman Austen Smith blasted a home run and two doubles on the weekend. Gold Glove winning second baseman Kyle Overstreet had a good weekend with several hits, including two doubles. Ben Moore, who missed Sundays scrimmage with an illness, had a double and single on Friday. Freshman speedster Hunter Webb made a strong push for playing time. The Russell County product had four singles and a walk on Sunday, and blasted a double and another single earlier in the weekend. Gaspard calls Webb's speed "game changing." Another freshman, William Elliott out of Oxford, Mississippi had three hits in Sunday's game. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Blanchard added hits throughout the three games. Sophomore center fielder Georgie Salem and sophomore shortstop Mikey White continued their outstanding play from last year.