Alabama Softball Hosts Crimson Classic This Weekend
2/27/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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The University of Alabama softball team returns to home action this weekend as the team hosts the 2003 Crimson Classic softball tournament.
The No. 13 ranked (ESPN.com/USA Softball) Crimson Tide will entertain the Kansas Jayhawks, the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Texas-Arlington Lady Mavericks.
Alabama has a 5-1 record against the field including a 3-0 record against Penn State and a 2-1 record against the Jayhawks. When the Tide and the Nittany Lions get together fans have come to expect a close game. All three of their contests have been decided by one run with the most memorable one coming in the 2000 NCAA Regional Tournament. With the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning Kelley Askew hit a one-out solo home run to give the Tide the win.
After dropping the first game of the series against Kansas, Alabama outscored the Jayhawks 7-1 over the next two games, with their most recent meeting being a 3-0 Alabama win in the 2001 NFCA Leadoff Classic.
Alabama comes into the game on a hot streak, having won five straight games including wins over then No. 4 California and then No. 23 Notre Dame, both coming at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Crimson Tide is led by All-American first baseman Jackie McClain who leads the team with a .404 average and an SEC leading 19 RBI.
Erin Wright leads the Alabama pitching staff with a 7-3 record and 61 strikeouts. Stephanie VanBrakle is the staff leader with a 1.22 ERA.
The Tide could be considered the defending Classic champion. The Tide won the tournament the last time it was played in its entirety defeating Western Illinois 3-2 in the 2000 Championship game. The Tide has also won its last four games in the tournament, two in the 2001 abbreviated tournament and two in the 2002 rain-shortened tournament.
First pitch for the tournament is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday morning with Penn State and Kansas leading off. Alabama will play its first game at 4:00 p.m. against the Kansas Jayhawks followed by a 6:30 p.m. game with the Lady Mavericks.
2003 Crimson Classic
Feb. 28-March 2, 2003
University of Alabama Softball
Alabama Softball Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Friday, Feb. 28-Session I
11 a.m. Penn State (3rd base) vs. Kansas (H, 1st base)
1:30 p.m. Texas-Arlington (1st base) vs. Penn State (H, 3rd base)
4 p.m. Alabama (H, 3rd base) vs. Kansas (1st base)
6:30 p.m. Alabama (3rd base) vs. Texas-Arlington (H, 1st base)
Saturday, March 1-Session II
11 a.m. Kansas (1st base) vs. Texas-Arlington (3rd base)
1:30 p.m. Alabama (3rd base) vs. Penn State (1st base)
4 p.m. Seed #1 vs. Seed #4
6:30 p.m. Seed #2 vs. Seed #3
Sunday, March 2-Session III
11 a.m. Consolation
1:30 p.m. Championship
