Tide has 'bullpen by committee'

TUSCALOOSA | If the University of Alabama baseball team is going to have some much-needed success this weekend, it will probably be a committee project.

Crimson Tide head coach Jim Wells has gone to a 'bullpen by committee' approach to close games in recent weeks, putting three of UA's limited pool of effective pitchers into situations where they can impact close contests in an extremely close Southeastern Conference Western Division race. Will Stroup and Josh Copeland are playing a set-up role, while sophomore Austin Graham now serves as the closer.

While there is no way of knowing if this weekend's games at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark., will be close, they will definitely be crucial.

Alabama is currently 10-11 in SEC play (26-21 overall). Arkansas is 9-11 (27-18 overall). SEC West leader Ole Miss is 11-10 in league play, as are several teams in the Eastern Division witch are fighting for SEC Tournament berths.

'Our division is so jumbled together right now,' Wells said. 'You can go from the top to the bottom of the division in one weekend. So every game is important and for us, with six of our last nine games on the road, we've got to start having some success on the road this weekend.'

The key to that formula is pitching, which is why Wells has structured his staff to use as many arms as possible.

'When [freshman Jimmy] Nelson becoming a weekend starter did not happen quickly, it became a matter of elimination,' Wells said. 'The way Graham has pitched made us feel good that we had something at the back end, and Stroup has been better the last 10 days or so. That's nice to have in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, but our problem has been getting six innings from our starters.

'The more we get from the starters, especially on Friday night, that will only help us.'

Graham, who was a starter earlier this season, says he is ready to pitch in all three games this weekend if needed.

'Hopefully, we will be in a situation to need a closer in all three games,' Graham said. 'I haven't had any trouble so far. I pitched twice [against Auburn] last weekend and it didn't seem to be a problem.'

Graham has appeared in 16 games this season, five as a starter. The sophomore right-hander from Spain Park is 3-1 with a 3.99 ERA and two saves, including one in the Tide's Tuesday night win at Samford.

'I like being a starter, but obviously the best way I can help our team is coming out of the bullpen,' Graham said. 'That's not going to change this season. Next year is another year so we will see what happens then. But right now, I think this is the best thing for our team.'

Tonight's starting pitchers will be Crimson Tide left-hander Miers Quigley (4-4, 4.38 ERA) against Arkansas left-hander Dallas Keuchel (3-2, 4.17 ERA). Arkansas enters the Alabama series having won three straight and nine of its last 11 games, including a crucial road series last weekend at division-leading Ole Miss.

Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil.hurt@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0225.