Baseball Series Preview: The Ole Miss Rebels Travel to Face the Alabama Crimson Tide

The Rebels travel to the Yellowhammer State this weekend to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in a series that isn't exactly a must win so much as it's a mustn't lose. The Rebels sit a single game ahead of the TIde in the SEC Western division baseball standings, so Alabama really stands to gain something out of a pair of wins this weekend. This series should prove to be another test for our Rebels, as the Tide are greatly improved from last season as evidenced by the fact that they sit just outside the Top 25 in most polls. Additionally, the Rebels have had trouble in Tuscaloosa in recent memory, dropping plenty of baseball games they should've won (A common theme across all Rebel sports, it seems).

Currently the Tide sit at 10th in the SEC in batting average and no higher than 8th in any other offensive category except home runs (4th). Alabama comes into this weekend with a 16-8 overall record and 3-3 SEC record. Games of note on the Tide's schedule this season have been ULL (lost two-of-three), Kentucky (won two-of-three) and at  Arkansas (lost two-of-three). The Rebels and Crimson Tide do not share a common opponent thus far on the season.

The first game of this series could really shape up to be a pitcher's duel. Friday starter Spencer Turnbull, a right handed junior, is off to a great start for the Crimson Tide.  Entering Friday's game, he is 2-1 on the year with a 0.28 ERA through five starts.  In 32.0 innings of work, Turnbull has only allowed 16 hits.  Spencer has also struck out 27 men compared to 18 walks.  Opponents are only hitting .154 off Spencer this season with only one extra base hit.  Last season, the Madison, MS native went 4-3 with a 3.75 ERA in 15 starts.

Spencer Turnbull will face off against righty Chris Ellis who is currently 4-0 with a 0.67 ERA for the Rebels.  Chris has 26 strikeouts in 40.1 innings pitched, and opponents are only hitting .197 against him this season.

Saturday starter Justin Kamplain, a left handed junior, is currently 2-2 on the year with a 3.21 ERA in 6 starts.  In 33.2 innings of work, Justin has allowed 20 hits. He has struck out 33 men while walking ten.  Opponents are hitting .171 off him this season.  Justin has only allowed four extra base hits this season.  Last season Kamplain went 1-0 with a 4.77 ERA in 20 appearances.

Justin Kamplain will face off against lefty Christian Trent who is 3-0 with a 3.16 ERA.  Through 37.0 innings, Trent has struck out 35 men while only allowing four walks.  Opponents are hitting .211 this season off Christian.

Sunday starter Jon Keller, a left handed junior, is currently 4-1 on the season with a 1.64 ERA in three starts and three relief appearances.   In 33 innings of work, Keller has allowed 22 hits with 21 strike outs and three walks.  Opponents are hitting .200 off Keller this season, including five extra base hits.  Last season, Keller compiled three wins in 16 appearances and posted a 5.23 ERA

Jon will face off against Sam Smith who is currently 3-1 with a 2.04 ERA.  Smith has 19 strikeouts to eight walks in 35.1 innings pitched.  Opponents are hitting .237 off him this season.

Team Pitching Stats:

• ERA: Alabama 2.20 (6^th in SEC)
  Ole Miss 2.15 (5^th in SEC)
• Opposing Batting Average: Alabama .195 (2^nd SEC)
  Ole Miss .220 (6^th SEC)
• Strikeouts: Alabama 138 (T-11^th SEC)
  Ole Miss 175 (4^th SEC)
• Runs Allowed: Alabama 62 (3^rd SEC)
  Ole Miss 68 (T-5^th SEC)
• Hits Allowed: Alabama 145 (2^nd SEC)
  Ole Miss 186 (7^th SEC)