Preview: Samford Bulldogs at No. -- Alabama Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Interstat) — The surging Alabama Crimson Tide will look to continue their winning ways when they host the Samford Bulldogs in a midweek nonconference matchup Tuesday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT under cloudy skies with temperatures near 66 degrees.

Alabama (25-8) enters on a high note after taking two of three games on the road at Oklahoma last weekend, including a 3-2 victory Saturday. The Crimson Tide’s pitching staff has been a strength, with reliever Ashton Crowther playing a key role. Over his last five appearances, Crowther has allowed just two hits in 11.2 innings, though he has been touched for five earned runs. He tossed 3.2 hitless innings with three strikeouts in the series-clinching win over the Sooners.

Samford (14-16) seeks to rebound after dropping a home series to East Tennessee State, losing the final two games by scores of 4-3 in 10 innings and 6-4. The Bulldogs will rely on a bullpen anchored by Noah Berry. The reliever has been effective lately, posting three scoreless outings in his last five appearances. In Saturday’s loss to ETSU, Berry went 4.1 innings, allowing one hit and two earned runs while striking out five.

The Crimson Tide won the earlier meeting this season, a 3-2 road victory on Feb. 17. Interstat’s game simulator projects another close contest, favoring Alabama by a score of 7-5.

This game serves as a final tune-up before both teams dive into critical conference series this weekend. Alabama will open a three-game home set against No. -- Arkansas on Friday, while Samford begins a Southern Conference series at home against Virginia Military Institute.