College BaseBlog

Wells shoots straight

Having crossed paths with him in the past, I had a feeling longtime Alabama coach Jim Wells wouldn't hold back following his team's 12-8 loss to UTA today. Wells knows the game, and has always been pretty blunt. A few of his comments....

On his team's comeback in the ninth - "We have a good offense and we'd come back, but the point in this game was starting pitching. (Austin) Graham pitched well, so Graham will start and will eliminate (Jimmy) Nelson for now. The thing is the other phases of the game broke down with the six errors...So you knew we'd come back, but we just dug ourselves a big hole with poor pitching and some errors at wrong times."

On trailing 7-0 after the first inning - "You have to stop the bleeding. We don't know how to stop it. People have big innings on us. Instead of 3-5 (runs), it's 7-8."

His impressions of UTA - "Well, we're 0-2 against them so they must be real good." -Trae Thompson

No, it's no joke

Alabama is still up to bat in the ninth, and has put four runs on the board already. It's 12-8, with runners on first and second with one out. UTA's Drew Clementz is in to relieve, and could get the save. -Trae

Pitching change

Alabama has the bases loaded, and has scored again to make it 12-5. UTA's Jeff Edlefsen is in to relieve with no outs. -Trae

Great line

Overheard by one person - who requested anonymity - on Alabama and it's six errors, "It's not been a Tom Emanski DVD."

This is it

The Mavericks scored one run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Preston McCoy that scored Justin McPherson. We're in the top of the ninth. -Trae

In the eighth

Alabama added on two runs in the seventh, and UTA leads 11-4. The Crimson Tide started off with two singles to begin the inning, and UTA starter Ryan Robinson is now gone. Brandon Endsley is in to relieve. -Trae Thompson

Hand it to him

Austin Graham has calmed things down for Alabama. Since entering the game, he's allowed just a single by UTA's Jay Pitschka. It's the top of the seventh, and UTA leads 11-1. -Trae

Going to the sixth

Hand it to Graham. He left the bases full. UTA popped out to end the inning. It's 11-1 entering the sixth. -Trae Thompson

Only getting worse

Alabama reliever Jamie Manning loaded the bases. He's gone. Say hello to pitcher No.5 - Austin Graham. -Trae

That's four

Texas-Arlington scored on a Crimson Tide fielding error - the second of the inning - and now lead 11-1 with two outs. Alabama is bringing in its fourth pitcher of the game. -Trae