Midway point finds Tide still in SEC mix

By Chris Stewart

The Alabama Crimson Tide is half way through the Southeastern Conference schedule, and still has a shot at successfully defending its league title from a year ago.

While Jim Wells’ squad is currently four games behind Arkansas for the division and overall lead – as well, as trailing six other teams in the league standings – there are reasons to believe this squad may still factor into the chase for the title.

One reason for hope lies behind the plate. The Tide has struggled at the catcher position since before the season started. Jared Avchen has not been completely healthy since suffering a foot fracture just prior the start of the season. That forced Ryan Rhoden, a starter in right field last year, to play out of position at catcher. He has struggled with consistency in the new role.

That forced Wells to go in search of a new catcher among those already on the roster. After experimenting with designated hitter Alex Avila, the Tide head coach found a volunteer in utility man Kyle Moore.

The redshirt-sophomore asked for a chance and made the most of it in his first start Saturday against Georgia. He quickly made his presence known in the top of the first, throwing out a runner trying to swipe second base. Three innings later, Moore delivered a two-run double that gave the Tide its first lead of the game. His solid play both at - and behind - the plate, earned him another starting role Sunday.

While Moore still has much to learn, for the moment, Alabama appears to have found its starting catcher.

Another reason for hope is the fact that with Moore driving in those runs, and handling a solid pitching effort from the Bama staff, the Tide earned two desperately needed wins against the Bulldogs.

After dropping Friday’s opener 4-1, it looked like Alabama was headed toward a slide before break that would keep the Tide very much on the outside looking in at the SEC championship chase. However, come-from-behind wins on Saturday and Sunday, Bama is still has a shot at making up ground.

The schedule also works in Alabama’s favor. Not in the sense that it is any easy path – by any stretch. In fact, it’s just the opposite. With the exception of Auburn (this weekend’s opponent), the remaining teams left to play are all currently ahead of the Tide in the league’s overall standings.

That’s why I say it is beneficial to Bama. The Tide has a chance to make up ground on the opponents they currently trail – including league leader Arkansas.

Only time will tell if Alabama can indeed make a run at a second straight SEC Championship.

But at least the question hasn’t already been answered.
 

Chris Stewart writes a weekly column for bamafever.com. Stewart is the radio play-by-play announcer for University of Alabama men's basketball. He is also the pre and post game host for the Crimson Tide Sports Network's coverage of Alabama Football. In addition, he hosts a talk show each weekday morning from 7 until 9 on Tuscaloosa's Sports Radio 1420, The Tusk. Bama Fever is a company devoted to providing University of Alabama Crimson Tide merchandise. We have stores in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa  and Huntsville and have now created an online catalog for Crimson Tide fans all over the world searching for that hard to find merchandise. We carry over 7,000 items in our stores and have posted many of these items right here in our online catalog.

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