Tide Softball Continues Tour Through Magnolia State
4/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Following a three-game series in Oxford, Mississippi last weekend, the 10th ranked University of Alabama softball team (31-9, 12-6) hits the road again, this time to Starkville, Mississippi for a three-game series with the Mississippi State Bulldogs (24-20, 5-13).
Alabama will be looking to add to its three-game winning streak it started at the expense of the Rebels last weekend in Oxford, as the Tide swept Ole Miss.
Mississippi State defeated Southern Miss in a mid-week match-up following a series loss at the hands of then 22nd ranked Auburn last weekend.
The match-up will feature two of the more prolific offenses in the SEC as the two teams rank third and fourth in the conference in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.
Alabama is currently hitting at a .304 clip which ranks third in the SEC and is led by three-time senior All-America Jackie McClain. McClain ranks fifth in the SEC with a .431 average while she, Dominique Accetturo and Capper Reed all rank in the Top 10 in the SEC in slugging percentage.
Senior All-America Iyhia McMichael leads Mississippi State offensively as she ranks first in six offensive categories including batting average (.457), slugging percentage (.866), on-base percentage (.574), runs scored (53), triples (8) and walks (35).
The Crimson Tide pitching staff hit a rough stretch prior to the Ole Miss series, but rebounded nicely against the Rebels, throwing a no-hitter and two shutouts.
Alabama leads the all-time series with the Bulldogs 22-5 and has won 14 of the last 15 games between the two teams. Bama also owns a 9-2 edge in Starkville. The 27 games played between the two teams are also the third most times Alabama has played a single opponent. The Tide and LSU have met a total of 38 times while Alabama and Arkansas have31 meetings between them.
First pitch for the Friday doubleheader is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. with the second game following approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Saturday will be a single game beginning at 1:00 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. The broadcast will also air in Tuscaloosa on New Rock 90.7 FM, WVUA. Live stats will also be available at www.rolltide.com.
