Alabama and Auburn Week 8 Review
The Crimson Tide took two of three games from the Tigers over the weekend, including a thrilling 4-3 win in 11 innings on Saturday (May 7). Junior catcher Will Haynie hit a ninth inning solo home run to tie the game, and George Salem hit a walk-off grounder in the bottom of the 11th to secure the victory for Alabama. The Tide improved to 27-21 overall and 12-12 in conference play. Auburn dropped to 22-27 overall and 8-16 in the SEC. Alabama travels to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas this weekend, while Auburn hosts Mississippi State.
SEC baseball rankings
1. Florida (41-8, 16-7)
2. South Carolina (37-11, 16-7)
2. TexasA&M (37-10, 16-8)
4. Vandwebilt (36-13, 14-10)
5. Mississippi State (34-14, 15-9)
6. Ole Miss (36-13, 14-10)
7. LSU (33-16, 14-10)
8. Kentucky (29-20, 13-11)
9. Alabama (27-21, 12-12)
10. Arkansas (26-22, 7-17)
11. Auburn (22-27, 8-16)
12. Georgia (24-25, 8-16)
13. Missouri (24-25, 7-17)
14. Tennessee (26-23, 7-17)
Week 9 Previews and Predictions
LSU at Tennessee. While LSU has been a very good team for most of this season, the Tigers have not been as explosive as many assumed in the preseason. LSU is still poised to make a run in the postseason if the bats can heat up. If they do, the Tigers would be a very dangerous team to play in the NCAA Tournament. Series Prediction: LSU 3, Tennessee 0.
Georgia at Missouri. Both the Bulldogs and Tigers are at the bottom of the SEC standings, but not because they’re bad baseball teams. The SEC is the best conference in college baseball, and the depth of the league is staggering. These teams would likely be NCAA Tournament teams in another conference, but in the SEC they’re both fighting for their postseason lives. Series Prediction: Georgia 2, Missouri 1.
Vanderbilt at Florida. Two of the best teams in the country square off this weekend in Gainesville. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 in the nation, and the Gators are still the top-ranked team overall. Both have a great chance at hosting an NCAA Super Regional tournament if they make it past the regionals. Series Prediction: Florida 2, Vanderbilt 1.
Mississippi State at Auburn. Every win helps Auburn’s postseason chances, including last weekend’s series finale win over Alabama. The Tigers aren’t going to make the NCAA Tournament unless they finish the season on an incredible run, but making the SEC Tournament and winning a game or two would be a satisfying conclusion for Butch Thomp-son’s debut season on the Plains. Series Prediction: Mississippi State 3, Auburn 0.
Kentucky at Ole Miss. The Rebels have played very well of late, and have been especially good at home this season. Ole Miss still has a chance to win the SEC West Division and they could be the top overall seed in the conference tournament with some good fortune down the stretch. Kentucky has also played well over the last few weeks, but it will be difficult to steal a series from the Rebels in Oxford. Series Prediction: Ole Miss 2, Kentucky 1.
Alabama at Arkansas. Alabama is traveling to face an Arkansas team that desperately needs wins right now. The Razorbacks are in jeopardy of missing the SEC Tournament at the moment, but a series win over the Crimson Tide would help their cause considerably. Alabama is still in the middle of the pack in the conference standings and likely will be a No. 8 or No. 9 seed in the conference tournament. Series Prediction: Arkansas 2, Alabama 1.
Texas A&M at South Carolina. Much like the Vanderbilt-Florida matchup in Gainesville, two of the best teams in the country will be square off in Columbia this weekend. The Aggies are ranked se-cond in the country behind Florida, while South Carolina is ranked eighth. Both teams should be in position to host a Super Regional in the NCAA Tournament and certainly will host a Regional tournament. Series Prediction: South Ca-rolina 2, Texas A&M 1.