Alabama and Auburn Week 7 Review
Alabama’s best weekend of the year and Auburn’s worst weekend of the year just so happened to coincide when the two rivals met in Auburn last weekend for a best-of-three series. The Crimson Tide swept the Tigers, including a pair of one-run wins on Saturday. Chandler Taylor led Alabama’s offense in the doubleheader, finishing 3-for-8 with two home runs in the 4-3, 7-6 sweep. The series finale was the longest game in Alabama baseball history. The Tide won 11-9 in 15 innings, and the game clocked in at six hours and 36 minutes. Taylor again led the UA at the plate, going 4-for-6 with a home run, two doubles, one RBI and three runs scored.
Alabama improved to 18-29 overall and 5-19 in league play, while Auburn dropped to 32-18 overall and 14-10 in the conference. Alabama hosts Florida this weekend (May 12-14), while Auburn travels to LSU (May 11-13).
SEC baseball rankings
1. Mississippi State (32-17, 16-8)
2. Florida (35-14, 16-18)
3. LSU (32-17, 15-9)
4. Arkansas (35-13, 14-9)
5. Kentucky (33-16, 15-9)
6. Auburn (32-18, 14-10)
7. Texas A&M (32-13, 13-8)
8. Vanderbilt (29-19, 12-11)
9. South Carolina (28-19, 11-13)
10. Ole Miss (29-20,11-13)
11. Missouri (29-20, 9-15)
12. Tennessee (25-19, 7-15)
13. Georgia (20-29, 7-17)
14. Alabama (18-29, 5-19)
Week 9 preview and predictions
Series of the Week: Auburn at LSU. A week ago, Auburn was in control in the SEC West. After being swept by last-place Alabama, however, the Tigers are now stuck in the middle of the division and are likely no longer in contention to host a Super Regional. LSU surged up the standings in recent weeks and are now only a game back of the lead in both the division and the conference. The two Tigers have plenty at stake when the square off this weekend. Series Prediction: LSU 2, Auburn 1.
Mississippi State at Georgia. After Auburn’s fall down the standings, Mississippi State is now in the lead in the SEC West and tied for first in the conference. The Bulldogs travel to Athens to take on Georgia, who is fighting for its postseason life. Georgia is a game behind Tennessee for the last spot for the SEC Tournament, so the Bulldogs must avoid a sweep this weekend. Series Prediction: Mississippi State 3, Georgia 1.
Texas A&M at Ole Miss. Neither the Aggies nor the Rebels fared well last week. Texas A&M dropped two of three games to Mississippi State and are now three games back of the Bulldogs in the win column. Ole Miss was swept on the road at Florida, and the Rebels have a losing record in conference play. Ole Miss should still make the NCAA Tournament but don’t have much margin for error. Series Prediction: Ole Miss 2, Texas A&M.
Vanderbilt at Arkansas. The Commodores took two of three games against Missouri last week-end but need a sweep to stay in contention for the SEC East crown. Arkansas is still only a game and a half back from Mississippi State in the SEC West, but the Hogs would have been closer had they not dropped a game at Tennessee. Series Prediction: Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 1.
South Carolina at Missouri. The Gamecocks and Tigers are out of the mix for the SEC East, and both are in need of wins down the stretch in order to make the NCAA Tournament. Missouri’s recent skid might have the Tigers on the outside looking in at the moment, so they have plenty of ground to make up against South Carolina. Series Prediction: South Carolina 2, Missouri 1.
Florida at Alabama. Despite the Crimson Tide’s sweep over Auburn, they remain in last place in the conference. To make the SEC Tournament, UA likely will need to win one of the last two series of the year. After Florida’s sweep over Ole Miss, the Gators are now in first place in the SEC East and tied for first in the league. Florida is playing as well as anyone in the country. Series Prediction: Florida 3, Alabama 0.
Tennessee at Kentucky. The Volunteers are now only a few games up on Alabama and are in jeopardy of missing the conference tournament unless they can steal a game from Kentucky this weekend. The Wildcats are still in contention in the SEC East but will more than likely need a sweep over the Vols to keep up with Florida. Series Prediction: Kentucky 2, Tennessee 1.