Rob Vaughn and the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team will hit the diamond on Friday evening to take on the UCF Knights in the Tallahassee Regional. Senior left-handed pitcher Greg Farone is expected to take the mound for the Crimson Tide. Alabama has reached back-to-back regionals for the first time since 2013-14.
Vaughn and the Tide are set to take on the UCF Knights in Game 2 of regional play. Before Alabama and UCF take to the diamond, the hosting Florida State Seminoles will take on Stetson at 11 a.m. CT.
The winner of Alabama vs. UCF will face the winner of FSU vs. Stetson with the losers taking on each other in an elimination game.
Alabama led all Division I programs with 35 Quad 1 RPI games played and tied for the fifth-most Quad 1 wins in the country. The Tide trailed on Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Mississippi State while tying with South Carolina at 15.
The Crimson Tide enters the NCAA's postseason with 16 wins against RPI top-56 programs, including 10 against the RPI top-25 and five against the top-five RPI teams. The Tide also played five series against RPI top-six teams (2-3 in those series) and seven total series against teams in the RPI top-25 (4-3 in those series).
For the most part this season Alabama's offense has been solid while inconsistent pitching has haunted the Crimson Tide. When Alabama's rotation is hitting their spots, the Tide is one of the most dangerous teams in the country.
Gage Miller, Mac Guscette, and Justin Lebron will lead the charge offensively for the Tide and I expect them to get rolling early and help settle in starting pitcher Greg Farone. With UCF not having much power in its lineup, I like the matchup for the Alabama pitching staff against the Knights.
Alabama should pull this one out in Tallahassee and await the winner of FSU and Stetson on Saturday.
How to watch Alabama baseball vs. UCF baseball in Tallahassee Regional
- Date: Friday, May 31, 2024
- Location: Tallahassee, Florida
- Time: 5 p.m. CT
- TV Channel: ESPN+