There are no easy outs left. When it comes to the College World Series, every team playing in Omaha has earned its way in. While Alabama was largely expected to get there as the No. 7 seed nationally, it would be such a shame if its best season in 27 years fell apart at the seams in the most predictable way. Alabama can pitch and hit. However, it will give the opposition an extra out or two far too often.
Roger Myers of Roll 'Bama Roll identified how important defense is for this team. Of the 16 teams in the SEC, Alabama was statistically the worst in the conference with its .963 fielding percentage. Four players have committed five or more errors for this team this season in Justin Lebron (18), Brennan Holt (10), Jason Torres (eight), and Brady Neal (five). Alabama has committed 81 errors so far this year.
While its opponents are only fielding at a .969 clip, they have combined for 64 errors when taking on the Crimson Tide. That is 17 outs Alabama gave the opposition; it did not receive in return. To be that far down in the differential is concerning. This is an Alabama team that usually plays its best baseball when it handles business defensively. Look no further than how sound it was vs. St. John's last week.
Alabama was partially able to advance to the Omaha after committing no errors to St. John's' three.
Rob Vaughn must have his Alabama players focused on defense in CWS
The Crimson Tide still needs to play its brand of baseball, but it has to be locked in every time they take the field. Alabama got away with six errors in its 7-5 victory over USC Upstate in the Tuscaloosa Regional. That game was at home vs. an inferior team. The College World Series will be at a neutral site for everyone involved. Again, every team has earned the right to be playing for a championship.
At this stage of the season, there are two things a quality team can control to put its best foot forward each game. Those would be making smart decisions in the field and on the base path. Hitting, starting pitching, and relief pitching are going to be what they are at this point for every team left playing. Base running and defense are more of mental constructs than the three other key components are.
Read more: Rob Vaughn heaps praise on the unsung hero of Alabama baseball's World Series run
For Alabama to get past Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas, or whoever, Rob Vaughn's team will need to make a brilliant play or two in the field. Maybe Lebron flashes the leather in a big way to lift his team? What will ruin Alabama's magical season is for a costly throwing error to extend an inning vs. a team with hot bats. Giving Oklahoma an extra out or two in a game is how a team like Alabama gets upset.
Bracket 2 is a gauntlet, but Alabama cannot beat itself defensively to have any chance of advancing.
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