Oklahoma State at Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Oklahoma State (38-21) visits Alabama (39-19) on Sunday in a nonconference baseball matchup that pits two teams with similar win totals and postseason aspirations. First pitch is scheduled for [time] at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, where the forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-80s.

The Cowboys are coming off an 8-7, 11-inning win over Alabama State on Saturday. Right-hander Brennan Phillips tossed 5⅔ scoreless innings, striking out seven, while first baseman Colin Brueggemann went 2 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs. Oklahoma State has won four of its last six games, though it dropped a 9-2 decision at Kansas on May 22.

Alabama enters with a 7-5 win over South Carolina Upstate on Saturday, powered by left-hander Zane Adams, who threw six shutout innings with five strikeouts. Shortstop Justin Lebron homered and drove in two runs. The Crimson Tide have won three of their last four after splitting a series with Mississippi earlier in May.

Players to watch

For Oklahoma State, right-hander Hudson Barrett has been dominant in his last two starts. He worked seven innings of no-hit ball with 10 strikeouts in a 12-1 win at UCF on May 21, then followed with five scoreless innings (four strikeouts) in a 12-6 victory over UCF two days later. In his last 12 innings, Barrett has allowed one earned run and struck out 14.

For Alabama, Adams will take the ball after his commanding performance Saturday. The lefty has been inconsistent this season (Interstat) — he allowed five runs in five innings in a loss to Mississippi on May 15 (Interstat) — but he also fired six scoreless frames against South Carolina on May 9. Over his last two starts, he has 11 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA across 12 innings.

Projections and line

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 win for Alabama. The Crimson Tide are installed as a 1.5-run favorite on the money line.

Oklahoma State’s offense has shown power (Interstat) — the Cowboys scored 12 runs in two of their last five games (Interstat) — but Alabama’s pitching has been sharp of late. The Crimson Tide have held opponents to three runs or fewer in three of their last four outings.

Notes

Oklahoma State is 0-1 against Alabama State this season? No, they beat them. Alabama is 1-0 against South Carolina Upstate. The teams have not met previously this season.

Sunday’s game will be the first of a two-game series for Oklahoma State, which also faces South Carolina Upstate on Monday in Tuscaloosa. Alabama continues its homestand with a midweek game against Troy on Tuesday.