AUBURN BASEBALL: Tigers to face Alabama in Montgomery next two seasons

Special to the News

Published: July 5, 2008

MONTGOMERY — The Montgomery Biscuits, along with the City of Montgomery, the University of Alabama, Auburn University and MAX, Your Community Credit Union, announced Friday that the two schools will play baseball at Riverwalk Stadium in the Spring of 2009 and 2010.

The inaugural MAX Capital City Classic pits the Tigers against the Crimson Tide on Tuesday, March 10, 2009. The schools have also agreed to play on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. Both games are tentatively scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and both schools have agreed to a makeup date if a game is rained out.

The games mark the first time the schools have met in a regular-season, non-conference game since they met in a seven-year series at Paterson Field from 1990-96. Auburn and Alabama met annually throughout the state during the 1980s and 1990s.

“We are very happy to bring these prestigious programs back to Montgomery,” Biscuits owner Sherrie Myers said. “In addition to being a wonderful and entertaining game, the City of Montgomery is pleased to reinstate a great tradition. It’s almost like Montgomery’s own Iron Bowl.”

The two schools met in SEC contests at Paterson Field in 1993 and 1995, with Auburn winning, 11-3, in 1993 and Alabama upsetting the top-ranked Tigers, 10-5, in 1995 before a then state-record 8,543 fans.

“We are very excited to renew our series with Auburn in the city of Montgomery,” Alabama head coach Jim Wells said. “All the games in Montgomery have had tremendous success and the crowds have been great. Riverwalk Stadium is one of the top baseball facilities in our state and we are excited about showcasing Crimson Tide baseball to the many loyal fans throughout the state of Alabama.”

The Tide holds a 4-3 edge over the Tigers in games played in the capital city.

“We’re really excited to be a part of the Capital City Classic,” Auburn head coach John Pawlowski said. “It will be a great opportunity for Auburn fans in Montgomery to see the Tigers up close at a great venue.”

After an early booking period as a special benefit to season ticket holders of the Biscuits, Tide and Tigers, tickets to the MAX Capital City Classic will go on sale to the general public this November. Ticket information and other game-related information is available at the game’s website, http://www.maxcapitalcityclassic.com.