Softball Welcomes Former Tide Standout and Kentucky this Weekend
3/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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After taking a two-game break from Southeastern Conference play, the No. 18 ranked (ESPN.com/USA Softball) University of Alabama softball team steps back into conference play when the team hosts the Kentucky Wildcats in a three-game series where the distractions could be plenty.
The Crimson Tide will be welcoming back former Alabama standout and four-time All-American Kelly Kretschman, who returns to Tuscaloosa as a member of the Kentucky coaching staff.
"This will be a first for me," said Alabama Head Coach Patrick Murphy. "I've never coached against a former player of mine. I didn't expect it to happen so soon and I didn't expect it to happen in the SEC, but it will definitely be fun."
Another interesting sidebar as the Tide and the Cats get together is the fact that Alabama will look to remain undefeated against Kentucky. The Wildcats have never been able to claim victory against the Crimson Tide in 14 attempts.
However, this year the Wildcats are top loaded with veteran talent, retuning two first-team All-SEC performers in Lyndsey Angus and Nikki Jones, who also garnered All-South Region honors. Jones currently leads the team in hitting with a .407 average while Angus is the team leader in home runs (4) and RBI (17).
Alabama will offset the Kentucky offensive attack with freshman Stephanie VanBrakle who leads the Crimson Tide pitching staff with a 1.26 ERA while junior Erin Wright leads the staff with an 11-4 record and 89 strikeouts.
Offensively for Alabama, senior Jennifer Reach has swung the golden stick all season posting a team leading and career high .381 average. VanBrakle is the team leader in home runs with five while junior All-American Jackie McClain is the Bama leader in RBI with 23.
After struggling offensively towards the latter part of its pre-conference schedule, it seems conference play is just what the doctor ordered for the Tide. So far, Alabama is hitting at a clip of .353 with six home runs and 34 runs scored in six SEC games.
Freshman Staci Ramsey has been the most productive at the plate for Alabama since the start of SEC play, posting a .588 average with 10 RBI.
The Crimson Tide and the Wildcats will get together for a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. and will close out the series on Sunday with a single game at 1:30 p.m.
The first 250 fans through the gates on Saturday will receive a free Alabama zip-up cooler. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and tickets are still available and can be purchased at the gate. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Alabama fans can also follow the action live on the internet at www.rolltide.com.
