Alabama Softball Hosts Arkansas in SEC Opener this Weekend
3/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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The No. 20 ranked (ESPN.com/USA Softball) Crimson Tide softball team will begin its 'Second Season' as some refer to it as, when the team begins conference play this weekend, hosting the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks.
Conference play will be a welcome change of scenery for the Tide as they closed out the 'tournament season' with a 1-4 record over their last five games. However, the team did come out victorious on Tuesday against Jacksonville State, its final tune-up before SEC play begins.
"At the beginning of the season I always hand out a monthly calendar to the team that has practice times, weight-lifting times and game times for the entire season," said Alabama Head Coach Patrick Murphy. "For this Saturday, it says on the calendar 'the second season starts'. I told them it's a brand new season were everything they've done up until now doesn't matter. The slate is wiped clean and we can get a fresh start on this 30-game conference schedule."
The Arkansas Lady Razorbacks (11-9) come in on the heels of a 4-1 showing in the Desert Classic where the Lady'Backs offense was on top of its game outscoring its opponents 36-15.
Sophomore pitcher Valenna Lyons leads the Arkansas pitching staff with 59.1 innings pitched and 43 strikeouts in that time. Ruth Atkins and Lauren Henrix are the team leaders in offensively as both players are hitting a .378 clip. Julie Young leads the Lady'Backs with two home runs and 15 RBI.
Junior Jackie McClain leads the Tide with a .360 average and 20 RBI while freshman Stephanie VanBrakle is the team leader in home runs with three and is also the pitching staff leader with a 1.41 ERA.
Junior Erin Wright leads Bama's staff with 76 strikeouts and ranks second on the team with a 1.89 ERA.
The Tide and the Lady'Backs will get underway at the UA Softball Complex on Saturday at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader. The final game on Sunday is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Fans can follow the live stats at www.rolltide.com.
