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Alabama is moving up in the national rankings.

(Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The first round of RPI ratings came in favorably for the Alabama baseball team.

The Crimson Tide (19-8) debuted at No. 18 when they rankings were released Tuesday afternoon. It was one of seven SEC teams in the top 20. The league also had five of the top 10 led by top-ranked South Carolina.

Alabama is 5-1 against teams ranked in the top 10 after sweeping No. 10 Ole Miss over the weekend.

The Tide also took two of three from No. 4 Kentucky last month. Its won 15 of the last 18 overall.

The computers had opinions similar to the voters this week. The Tide was ranked as high as No. 15 in two of the human polls released Monday.

At 6-3 in the league, Alabama is tied with Mississippi State atop the West Division standings.

Alabama faces No. 141 Louisiana-Monroe (11-17) at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday before traveling to No. 51 Texas A&M (18-11) over the weekend.