Tide Softball Hosts Birmingham Southern Thursday Night
4/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Fans that might have forgotten what the University of Alabama softball team looks like will get their first look at the Tide in seven games as Alabama hosts the Birmingham Southern Panthers (17-26) Thursday night in a single game.
The 13th ranked Crimson Tide (32-12), which hasn't played a home game since Sunday, March 28, will look forward to returning home, having posted a 4-3 record on the road, including a current three-game losing streak.
About the only thing Alabama and Birmingham Southern have in common is I-20/59. The two teams have never played each other in softball but that will all change this year with a home and home series scheduled. The two schools do have eight like opponents in Albany, Alabama State, Samford, Jacksonville State, Tulsa, Chattanooga, Lipscomb and Ole Miss. Alabama has posted a 12-0 record against those schools while outscoring them 98-8, while BSC has posted a 5-9 mark against them.
The Crimson Tide is led offensively by three-time senior All-America Jackie McClain. McClain, who ranks 18th in the country in hitting, is currently hitting a .437 clip.
Jennifer Wright leads the Bama pitching staff with a 1.67 ERA while Stephanie VanBrakle is the team leader in strikeouts with 176. VanBrakle is coming off her second career no-hitter and the fourth thrown by an Alabama pitcher this season.
First pitch between the two schools is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Fans can follow all the action at www.rolltide.com where national-award winner Jarrod Shadrick and broadcast partner Chad Anderson will call all the balls and strikes. The broadcast will also air in Tuscaloosa on New Rock 90.7 FM, WVUA. Live stats will also be available at www.rolltide.com.
