Alabama Softball Hosts Samford Tuesday Night
3/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
 |
|
The ninth-ranked University of Alabama softball team (15-3) might need an introduction to its stadium Tuesday night as the Crimson Tide returns home for only the second time this season to host the Samford Bulldogs (4-11) in Alabama's final pre-SEC tune-up.
The Tide is coming off a 6-0 performance in the Frost Cutlery Classic where it dominated the field in all aspects of the game. The Alabama pitching staff threw five shutouts in the six victories while recording an ERA of 0.54 and an opponent batting average of .107. Bama's offense clicked as well, sporting a .368 batting average while scoring 35 runs to its opponents' three.
Samford comes into the match-up off a 2-2 performance in the Alabama A&M Bulldog Classic, losing twice to Florida A&M and defeating Tennessee State and Alabama A&M.
The Crimson Tide owns an all-time 8-2 record against Samford, winning their most recent match-up, a 7-0 affair in the 2002 season and is currently on an eight-game winning streak in the series.
The Alabama offense comes into the game led by sophomore shortstop Dominique Accetturo. Accetturo leads the team with a .429 average which ranks sixth in the SEC while teammate, senior first baseman Jackie McClain isn't far behind with a .413 average, ranking eighth in the SEC. The two also lead Bama in RBI with 13.
The pitching duo of Erin Wright and Jennifer Wright lead the Tide pitching staff, Erin with a 0.80 ERA, 10th in the conference, and Jennifer with a 0.88 ERA. Jennifer Wright has yet to receive a dent in the loss column with a 5-0 record which includes a no-hitter this year. Sophomore Stephanie VanBrakle leads the Alabama staff with 55 strike outs, eighth in the SEC.
First pitch between the Tide and the Bulldogs is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Fans can follow all the action at www.rolltide.com where national-award winner Jarrod Shadrick will call all the balls and strikes along with broadcast partner Chad Anderson. The broadcast will also air in Tuscaloosa on New Rock 90.7 FM, WVUA. Live stats will also be available at www.rolltide.com.
