Previewing every opponent on Alabama Baseball’s 2023 schedule
The Alabama baseball team came up just short of making it to the NCAA Tournament last season. Brad Bohannon’s squad finished the season with a 31-27 overall record while finishing 12-17 in conference play.
This year is expected to be a good one for the crimson and white. Key players like Andrew Pinckney, Drew Williamson, Jacob McNairy, and Jim Jarvis all returned in the offseason. Several other key additions are transfers Ed Johnson, Jackson Reynolds, and Mac Guscette.
This upcoming season will be a huge test for an experienced, veteran-led Alabama team. The Tide will take on four programs (Auburn, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Arkansas) that reached the College World Series last season. Other non-conference programs that reached the NCAA Tournament last season are Southern Miss, Columbia, and Alabama State.
Today, we preview each opponent on Alabama baseball’s schedule in 2023.
Richmond Spiders (Feb. 17-19)
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY NETWORK
Spiders’ 2022 Record: 30-26 (11-13)
Richmond struggled for the majority of the season last year. The Spiders did their best to change the narrative when they reached the Atlantic-10 conference championship to take on VCU. Despite the fact they lost, it is a step in the right direction for Tracy Woodson’s squad. This will be a good test for Alabama to have to kick off their 2023 campaign.
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (Feb. 21)
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Golden Eagles’ 2022 Record: 30-27 (11-13)
In the offseason, Alabama was able to land Tennessee Tech utility player Ed Johnson. Now, the two will collide in a mid-week game to begin the season. The Golden Eagles will be a good test for the Tide. Last season, they defeated No. 1 Tennessee.
Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks (Feb. 22)
(AP Photo/John Amis)
Skyhawks’ 2022 Record: 11-34 (4-20)
Tennessee-Martin did not have the ideal season in 2022. However, the Skyhawks will return two of their top three position players in Will Smith and Blaze Bell. This will be Alabama’s second game in two days, so it will be interesting to see how they fair.
at Pepperdine Waves (Feb. 24-26)
(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Waves’ 2022 Record: 24-26 (12-15)
Historically, Pepperdine is a blue blood in college baseball. The Waves have been a staple on the West Coast for elite baseball talent over the years. Last season, they struggled in the Western Atlantic. However, they were able to defeat UCLA and Gonzaga. This will be the Tide’s first road trip and it will be a long one at that. This is a series that will allow fans to get a gauge of where the Tide stand.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks (Mar. 1)
(AP Photo/John Amis)
Gamecocks’ 2022 Record: 27-28 (19-11)
The last time that Jacksonville State beat Alabama was in 2017. Since then, the Gamecocks have lost seven in a row to the Crimson Tide. The Gamecocks will return three position players that had batting averages above .300. One of them is former Alabama outfielder T.J. Reeves. It will be interesting to see how he performs against his old team this season.
UIC Flames (Mar. 3-5)
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Flames’ 2022 Record: 22-25 (14-11)
The Flames did not finish last season how they had hoped. They fell in the Horizon League Championship to Northern Kentucky. The Flames did knock off three Power-Five programs in Northwestern, Purdue, and Cal-Berkeley. This will be an interesting series to see how Alabama performs after spending the previous weekend in Malibu.
at Samford Bulldogs (Mar. 7)
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Bulldogs’ 2022 Record: 28-29 (12-9)
Samford is another in-state program that has seen its share of struggles against Alabama. In the all-time series, the Bulldogs are 13-22. They have also lost their last five matchups against the Crimson Tide. With it being a mid-week matchup on the road, the Crimson Tide will have to be ready to play. The Bulldogs will be looking to end the streak.
Alabama State Hornets (Mar. 8)
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY NETWORK
Hornets’ 2022 Record: 34-25 (21-8)
Alabama State reached the NCAA Tournament last season. It was the second time in program history that the Hornets made it to the ‘big dance’. This will be a good test for Alabama after having traveled to Birmingham to play Samford a day prior. The Hornets won’t be a walk-in-the-park by any means.
Columbia Lions (Mar. 10-12)
[Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
Lions’ 2022 Record: 32-18 (17-4)
As if two formidable, mid-week contests were not enough, the Crimson Tide will play a third. The Crimson Tide will host a Columbia squad that had a stellar season a year ago. The Lions won their first-ever Ivy League conference championship in 2022 and also reached the NCAA Tournament. This might be the toughest opponent that Alabama faces before entering conference play.
at South Alabama Jaguars (Mar. 14)
[Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
Jaguars’ 2022 Record: 31-23 (17-13)
The last time that South Alabama beat Alabama was in 2016. Since then, the Jaguars have been unable to beat the Crimson Tide. The Jaguars will return their three best hitters this season Miles Simington, Erick Orbeta, and Hunter Stokes. This will be yet another intriguing mid-week matchup for the Crimson Tide.
at Florida Gators (Mar. 16-18)
[Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Gators’ 2022 Record: 42-24 (15-15)
Alabama could not have asked for a more difficult draw than having to face Florida in Gainesville to start conference play. Last season, the Gators beat Alabama three out of the four times that they played one another. They also put the Crimson Tide out of the SEC Tournament. Alabama will likely be geared up and ready to play this series, however. They will need to be against a very good Gators squad.
UAB Blazers (Mar. 21)
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Blazers’ 2022 Record: 31-25 (13-17)
Last season, UAB had Alabama’s number. the Blazers knocked off the Crimson Tide in their two meetings. Following a weekend series against Florida, the Crimson Tide will have to turn their attention to a Blazers squad that has proven they can beat Alabama whether it be at home or on the road.
Kentucky Wildcats (Mar. 24-26)
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Wildcats’ 2022 Record: 33-26 (12-18)
This matchup grabs my attention because Alabama has not faced Kentucky since 2021. In that series, the Wildcats took two out of three from the Crimson Tide. Cats’ head coach Nick Mingione always seen to put a competitive team on the diamond. I expect that to be no different in 2023.
Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (Mar. 28)
(AP Photo/John Amis)
Blue Raiders’ 2022 Record: 29-26 (17-13)
Last year, Middle Tennessee State was scheduled to play Alabama in Tuscaloosa. However, that game was canceled due to inclement weather. This time around the Blue Raiders will be meeting the Crimson Tide in Huntsville to look for a resume-building win.
at Arkansas Razorbacks (Mar. 31-Apr. 2)
Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Razorbacks’ 2022 Record: 46-21 (18-12)
Alabama had Arkansas‘ number last season. The Crimson Tide beat the Razorbacks in three of their four meetings last season. Alabama will not be fortunate enough to play at home this season against the Razorbacks. Instead, they will travel to Fayetteville to take on the Hogs in their third conference series of the season.
Troy Trojans (Apr. 4)
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Trojans’ 2022 Record: 32-24 (15-15)
The last time that Troy knocked off Alabama was in 2019. The Trojans defeated the Crimson Tide 8-4 in Tuscaloosa. Since then, the Trojans have been unsuccessful in beating the Crimson Tide. Troy will return its best pitchers this season Logan Ross and Keaton Fuller. This could be a mid-week matchup to keep a close eye on.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (Apr. 6-8)
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Bulldogs’ 2022 Record: 26-30 (9-21)
Mississippi State has been long known for its success on the diamond. However, the Bulldogs struggled last season. They did beat Alabama two out of three at home in 2022. Outside of that, they struggled at home and on the road. The Crimson Tide should be well-prepared and ready for the Bulldogs in their fourth conference series.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles (Apr. 11)
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Golden Eagles’ 2022 Record: 47-19 (23-7)
One program that passed the eye test last season was Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles reached the NCAA Tournament and even hosted Super Regionals in Hattiesburg. Alabama will have its hands full in this mid-week matchup. They may throw someone that is accustomed to pitching on the weekends. This could be a good boost for Alabama’s resume entering into NCAA Tournament conversation.
Auburn Tigers (Apr. 14-16)
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Tigers’ 2022 Record: 43-22 (16-13)
It was not a good showing for Alabama last season in Plainsman Park. The Crimson Tide lost both of their games against Auburn. The Tigers did reach the College World Series, however. They had a good squad last season and likely will this season as well. It will be interesting to see how the Crimson Tide perform at home against the Tigers.
at UAB Blazers (Apr. 18)
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Blazers’ 2022 Record: 31-25 (13-17)
As I mentioned beforehand, the Blazers have had Alabama’s number recently. They will look to continue that success as they host the Crimson Tide for a mid-week showdown.
at Missouri Tigers (Apr. 21-23)
Jamar Coach/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Tigers’ 2022 Record: 28-23 (10-20)
Alabama has not traveled to Columbia since 2018. The Crimson Tide beat Missouri in two out of the three games they played. The Tigers have been trending downward in recent years. That is not to say that this series will not be tough. All conference series is tough.
Samford Bulldogs (Apr. 25)
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Bulldogs’ 2022 Record: 28-29 (12-9)
Alabama will play Samford in their second meeting of the season in Tuscaloosa. This will be a good opportunity for the Crimson Tide to return home and get a win before traveling to Baton Rouge.
at LSU Tigers (Apr. 28-30)
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Tigers’ 2022 Record: 40-22 (17-13)
Last season, Alabama struggled against LSU. The Tigers beat the Crimson Tide in two out of the three games that they played in Tuscaloosa. This season, Alabama will travel to Baton Rouge to take on the Bayou Bengals. The Crimson Tide are hoping to avenge themselves for last season’s series loss.
Vanderbilt Commodores (May 4-6)
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Commodores’ 2022 Record: 39-23 (14-16)
Vanderbilt has been one of the better baseball programs in the country over the years. Commodores head coach Tim Corbin always finds ways to win ball games it seems. In Alabama’s last meeting with Vanderbilt, they lost in the two games that were played. Now, the Crimson Tide will look to flip the script in a likely important series in Tuscaloosa.
Troy Trojans (May 9)
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Trojans’ 2022 Record: 32-24 (15-15)
After meeting with Vanderbilt, the Crimson Tide will turn their focus to Troy. The Trojans will meet Alabama in a neutral site game at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama. Typically, the Crimson Tide play Auburn in Montgomery. However, it will be the Trojans in this year’s matchup.
at Texas A&M Aggies (May 12-14)
Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Aggies’ 2022 Record: 44-20 (19-11)
Alabama split with Texas A&M last season in their four meetings. The Crimson Tide lost the most important one against the Aggies as they fell 12-8 in the SEC Tournament. This season, they will be tasked with traveling to College Station to likely take on a talented Aggies squad.
Ole Miss Rebels (May 18-20)
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Rebels’ 2022 Record: 42-23 (14-16)
Save the best for last? Well, that is what it appears that athletic director Greg Byrne was doing with the last conference series of the regular season. Alabama will be facing off with an Ole Miss squad that won the National Championship in unprecedented fashion a season ago. This could be Alabama’s biggest test of the season and it comes right before the SEC Tournament.
