Red Raider Baseball Blog

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012 – 5:57 AM

Scott Lacefield (Twitter: @ScottLacefield)

2012 SCHEDULE  I  TICKETS

Road to the NCAA Tournament – Alabama A&M Preview

ALABAMA A&M
- March 13, 6 p.m. (Lubbock, Texas)
- March 14, 1 p.m. (Lubbock, Texas)

2011 Overall Record: 10-37
2011 Conference Finish (Conf.): 5th place - East, 6-18 (Southwestern Athletic)2011 Post-Season: N/A
2011 Final Ranking: NR
2011 RPI: No. 298

Interim Head Coach: Michael Tompkins
Career Record: 0-0, 1st year
Record at Alabama A&M: 0-0, 1st year

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Just after the start of the new year, Alabama A&M had a coaching shake up as Ed McCann, who was hired in 2010-2011, resigned due to health reasons. McCann guided the Bulldogs to a 10-37 record last season with a 6-18 conference mark. Following the announcement of McCann’s resignation, the university named Michael Tompkins as the program’s interim head coach for the 2012 campaign.

HIGHLIGHTING THE BULLDOGS:
With a new look in the dugout with Tompkins as the team’s coach for this season, the Bulldogs will have some familiarity on the mound with all three starting weekend pitchers returning. Also back are five starting position players.

WHY ALABAMA A&M IS GOING TO BE HARD TO BEAT:
You just never know what can happen in midweek competition. Alabama A&M will have a touch stretch heading into Lubbock as they head to Stillwater for a three-game series the weekend before they play Tech. Although, the Bulldogs will have a chance to get some wins under their belts playing 10 of their first 11 games at Bulldog Field in Huntsville, Ala.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:
OF – Sanchez Tucker (.266, 2 2B, 3 3B, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 9 BB, 14 SO, 9-14 SB)
OF – Juan Lopez (.245, 5 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 14 RBI, 10 BB, 33 SO, 12-14 SB)
C – Chris Thomas (.243, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 13 BB, 31 SO, 1-6 SB)

TOP RETURNING PITCHERS:
LHP – Sanchez Tucker (3-10, 8.42 ERA, 18 APP, 13 GS, 1 SV, 87.2 IP, 53 SO/64 BB)
RHP – James Brown (2-1, 9.11 ERA, 20 APP, 1 GS, 0 SV, 54.1 IP, 27 SO, 23 BB)
RHP – Joshua Blocker (1-3, 11.03 ERA, 7 APP, 4 GS, 0 SV, 23.2 IP, 12 SO, 15 BB)

THE BOTTOM LINE:
In 63 years of baseball at Texas Tech the Red Raiders have faced the Bulldogs twice heading into this season. Tech took care of business in 2010 with a home doubleheader sweep over Alabama A&M (18-4, 3-0). The Red Raiders will have the opportunity to move this record to 4-0 after a midweek home series when Alabama A&M visits Lubbock in mid-March.