After an undefeated start to the year inside the friendly confines of Sewell-Thomas Stadium, the Alabama Crimson Tide are now set to travel away from Tuscaloosa for the first time this season to play in the now arrived 2025 Jax College Baseball Classic.
Taking place from 121 Financial Ballpark in Jacksonville, Florida, the 2025 Jax College Baseball Classic will feature a total of four teams from all across the country playing in a round-robin tournament from Feb. 21-23. Those teams in Jacksonville alongside the Alabama Crimson Tide are the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, NC State Wolfpack, and Ohio State Buckeyes, each of which they will face over the course of this weekend.
Three largely unfamiliar teams for Alabama, each are expected to give the Crimson Tide a significant challenge as well, as the trio are all likely to contend for a NCAA Tournament appearance later this season.
Here is a preview of the three teams competing in Jacksonville alongside the Crimson Tide, as well as a few things you should know about Alabama this weekend such as how to watch, start times, probable starters, and more.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- 2025 Record: 4-1 overall
- Ranking: Unranked
- Head Coach: Kevin Schnall
- Names to Know: 1B/OF Colby Thorndyke, RHP Riley Eikhoff, INF/OF Dean Mihos
Coastal Carolina comes to Jacksonville with a 4-1 overall record this season in which their lone loss came to College of Charleston in their most recent game. The Chanticleers, who play in the Sun Belt, went 36-25 a year ago to make a Regional appearance as well, and are led offensively by one of the top hitters in Jacksonville this weekend in Colby Thorndyke, who owns a .500 AVG across five games this season.
NC State Wolfpack
- 2025 Record: 3-1 overall
- Ranking: No. 12
- Head Coach: Elliott Avent
- Names to Know: INF Chris McHugh, LHP Ryan Marohn, INF Justin DeCriscio
Out of the ACC, NC State, who is ranked No. 12 nationally by D1Baseball, is also coming off a loss in their most recent game, which came against Liberty, and are currently sitting at 3-1 overall for the year led by head coach Elliott Avent. The Wolfpack also have a pair of premier hitters at this event in Chris McHugh and Justin DeCriscio at a .500+ AVG each, and are coming off a season that included a record of 38-23 to included an appearance in the College World Series.
- 2025 Record: 0-3 overall
- Ranking: Unranked
- Head Coach: Justin Haire
- Names to Know: INF Tyler Pettorini, OF Nick Giamarusti, INF Ryan Miller
Lastly, the Ohio State Buckeyes come to Jacksonville winless at 0-3 after a road sweep at Arizona State to begin the year. Out of the Big Ten, the Buckeyes finished last season a little over .500 at 29-26 overall, and are led offensively by infielder Tyler Pettorini at a .545 AVG across three games.
Alabama Crimson Tide schedule at 2025 Jax College Baseball Classic
Alabama will play all three of these teams in Jacksonville this weekend, the first of which is against Coastal Carolina on Friday at 6 p.m. ET. The Crimson Tide will then play NC State on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET, as well as Ohio State on Sunday at 11 a.m. ET.
How to watch Alabama Crimson Tide at 2025 Jax College Baseball Classic
All three games for Alabama against the opponents mentioned above will be available to watch on D1Baseball.com.
2025 Jax College Baseball Classic Prediction
This weekend should be the toughest challenge that Alabama has faced so far this season, but when breaking down the four teams overall, an argument can be made for the Crimson Tide as the best. Because of this, Alabama could easily win all three games, but I’ll say that the Crimson Tide come away with the victory in at-least two.
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