Unfortunately it also meant a complete and utter lack of internet, so I couldn't regale you all with the following insights until now:

* Careful with your pitching changes. Things were going along swimmingly for Arkansas until they subbed in Devin Collis for Daryl Maday in the bottom of the 7th. Suddenly, a Brandon Belcher single put Alabama's Kent Matthes on third. Emeel Salem knocks a ball down the third base line, Arkansas' Blake Parker bobbles the ball, and Matthes scores, breaking the longest scoreless streak of the tournament to an end. Then Belcher scored on an error at first. Then Greg Paiml scored on a successful bunt from Matt Downs. By the end of the inning, it was 4-0 Alabama, and Arkansas was gasping for air.

*Don't count out Arkansas too soon. David Hum made things interesting with a three-run homer in the eighth.

* The Tide knows how to roll. Alabama closer David Robertson struck out two 'Back batters, then Matt Willard hit a high fly ball that Alabama caught easily to end the game, 4-3 Tide.

* Avoid, at all costs, trying to leave the stadium at the same time as the Alabama fans. Like I said yesterday, they have the biggest following here in Hoover, and they cause nasty traffic to anyone trying to escape the stadium, like myself in search of Internet access.

*Second Cliches-Per-Quote award of the weekend: "We played our game" from a Georgia player who shall remain anonymous, after the first game of the day. "Our game"? Please, boys, you're all in college, come up with something slightly more descriptive...next person to let this one fly through their lips gets properly razzed.