JACKSONVILLE — The Jax State baseball team will head west for its fourth-straight road game to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Tuesday. First pitch from Sewell-Thomas Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Jax State is riding a 10-game win streak coming into the midweek match up, most recently sweeping the Memphis Tigers at FedExPark. In those contests, the Gamecocks put up 10 or more hits in each game, outscoring the Tigers 26-6 in those games. Additionally, Jax State put pressure on Memphis by stealing 10 bases, and kept the Tigers at bay by turning seven double plays over the weekend.
For his efforts, senior shortstop Caleb Johnson was named Conference USA Hitter of the Week earlier today. Johnson slashed .588/.600/.941 for the week, hitting four extra base hits, driving in six RBI, and stole seven of Jax State's 10 stolen bases this week.
Alabama comes in off of a 2-1 week in the Frisco College Baseball Classic, where they faced Iowa, 19th-ranked Oregon State, and Houston. Alabama knocked off the Hawkeyes and the Beavers by scored of 12-2 and 8-7, respectively, but ended the weekend with a loss to th Cougars by a score of 8-2.
The Crimson Tide is led by shortstop Justin Lebron, who is posting .326/.491/.860. Lebron has nine XBH on the year, including seven homers, and is 10-10 on the base paths.
Jax State currently owns the best record of all Division I Alabama schools at 10-2. Alabama, Auburn, and South Alabama all follow the Gamecocks with nine wins each (AU is 9-2, Alabama and USA are 9-3).
Alabama is currently 16-33 against Jax State all-time. The Gamecocks have eight wins in Tuscaloosa. Jax State's last victory against the Crimson Tide was a 4-0 shutout win in Tuscaloosa in 2018. In that game, Taylor Hawthorne delivered two run single to take Alabama starter Sam Garnder out of the game. 2017 was the last time the Gamecocks swept the two-game season series against the Crimson Tide.
Jax State will send out Fisher Cantrell for his first start of his career on Sunday. Through four outings so far this year, the sophomore righty has a 0-0 record with an ERA of 1.69. Alabama will counter with right-handed grad student Bobby Alcock, who is 1-0 through two outings this season.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. Fans can follow along via SEC Network+, live stats, or through radio broadcast.
