The Alabama State University baseball team, for the second time in school history, will play a post season tournament in NCAA Regional competition. The Hornets (34-23) will be the #4 seed in the Knoxville Regional as they start tournament play Friday, June 3rd against the top seed, host, and the nation’s top ranked team, the University of Tennessee. The games will take place at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium. It is the home field of the University of Tennessee Volunteers college baseball team.
The Hornets are really looking forward to playing in the regionals. When the season started, the player were behind each other. They were told not to worry about early results, but rather to really get better each day and play through the season. The players improved every day and really came together down the stretch.
The offense is anchored around Cory King who has been clutch throughout. Hunter May has been a difference maker in the batter’s box and behind the plate. Christopher DeGuzman has provided a steady bat. Christian Lopez, Jabronski Williams, Chris Lewis, and Ian Matos along with Breon Pooler, Austin King, Osvaldo Mendez, Kyler McIntosh, and Payton Harris have anchored the pitching staff with each team member sacrificed themselves in some way for the good of the team to get them to the top of the conference during the regular season and to win the SWAC outright. Every player on the roster has truly impacted Alabama State’s success down the stretch and there have been different heroes in every win.
Knoxville Regional:
1. Tennessee (45-7)
2. Georgia Tech (34-22)
3. Campbell (40-17)
4. Alabama State (34-23)
The winner of the four-team double elimination tournament will take place June 3-6, and advance to the Super Regional along with 15 other teams. The winners of the Super Regional’s June 10-13, which is a best of three head-to-head series, will head to the College World Series in Omaha, NE June 16-27th.
The Knoxville Regional will feature two games each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and if the championship is not decided on Sunday, the if-necessary title game will be played on Monday, June 6th. The first game each day will take place at 1 p.m., with the second game to follow. Monday title game set for 1 p.m., barring any adjustments made for potential televised games.
This is the second post season tournament trip for Alabama State. Potential Friday starter Breon Pooler, a senior, compiled a 10-2 record with a 3.19 earned run average, striking out 85 in 84.2 innings pitched and limiting opponents to a .206 batting average. Saturday’s starter could be Austin King who posted a 6-2 record fanning 59 in 64.2 innings.
Expect a starter or save by committee from the Hornets bullpen. Mendez 5-2 record with 62 punch outs, McIntosh 4-4 recorded 64 strikouts, and Harris 3-2 47 strikeout with 4 saves.
Several Alabama State Hornets were named to the Black College Nines HBCU Baseball Elite First and Second Team list.. Hunter May, Christopher DeGuzman, and Breon Pooler.
Knoxville Regional Schedule:
A full schedule for the weekend action can be found below, game times will be updated when they are known:
Friday, June 3
Tennessee vs. Alabama State
Georgia Tech vs. Campbell
Saturday, June 4
Game 3 – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 4 – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Sunday, June 5
Game 5 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4
Game 6 – Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6
Monday, June 6
Game 7 (if necessary) – Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6