Wells Learns More About Cws Pressure Second Time Around

Fri., May 31, 1996

Associated Press

Jim Wells faces new pressure Friday when he pits his top-seeded Alabama team against Oklahoma State in the first game of the 50th College World Series.

The last time Wells made the journey to Rosenblatt Stadium, he was a graduate assistant at Louisiana State.

“My main responsibility was the sandwiches,” the coach recalled. “It’s quite a bit different.”

This time, Wells must deal with the expectations that accompany a No.-1 seeding and make sure Alabama (49-17) doesn’t overlook the Cowboys (45-19) in its quest for the 1996 NCAA national baseball title.

He seems to have pushed all the right buttons so far in building a strong program at a school better know for football and bringing it to the CWS in his second season.

Today’s second game matches No. 5 seed Miami (47-13) and No. 4 Clemson (49-15) at 7:05 p.m. Saturday’s games have No. 7 Florida State (51-15) playing No. 2 Florida (48-16) at 12:10 p.m. and No. 6 Louisiana State (48-15) meeting No. 3 Wichita State (54-9) at 6:35 p.m.

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Wells Learns More About Cws Pressure Second Time Around

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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