Softball Hosts Kentucky this Weekend Beginning with Noon Doubleheader
3/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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The ninth-ranked Crimson Tide softball team returns to SEC action this weekend as they host the Kentucky Wildcats in a three game-set beginning with a noon doubleheader on Saturday.
Alabama stepped out of conference this week for three games and the Tide offense seemed to get back on track scoring 34 runs en route to three victories.
The Kentucky Wildcats come to town now and for the Tide there's a bit of a revenge factor involved. Alabama rolled into Lexington last season on a 17-game win streak against the Cats, but dropped the second game of the series, in snowy conditions. The Tide rebounded in the third game to claim a 14-5 win.
Alabama owns a 19-1 all-time record against Kentucky having swept seven of eight series. The 19 wins are the most by the Crimson Tide over an Eastern Division team followed closely by 18 victories over Tennessee.
Alabama comes into the series on a four-game winning streak with blowout wins over Samford, Middle Tennessee and the Tennessee Lady Vols. Bama has outscored its opponents 42-8 in those four wins with an average margin of victory of eight and a half runs.
Kentucky is currently riding a five game losing streak, with all five losses coming in conference play. The Wildcats dropped two of three games to the Ole Miss Rebels and were then swept by the Georgia Bulldogs in a mid-week series.
Alabama and Kentucky have two common opponents between them. The Crimson Tide defeated the Houston Cougars twice in Houston by scores of 7-4 and 5-2. The Wildcats dropped a 10-0, five-inning decision to the Cougars. Both schools have also played North Carolina, with Alabama defeating the Tarheels 1-0 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic while the Cats lost a 10-2, five-inning decision.
The Crimson Tide offensive attack is led by senior Ashley Courtney who is the team leader in runs (24), hits (35), RBI (18) and stolen bases (15). Freshman Jordan Praytor leads the team with a .390 average.
Junior Stephanie VanBrakle leads the Alabama pitching staff with a 12-3 record and 126 strikeouts while freshman Chrissy Owens is the staff leader in ERA with a 1.17 mark.
The series is set to begin on Saturday with a noon first pitch scheduled. Fans can follow all the action on 90.7 FM WVUA. Live stats and audio will also be available on www.rolltide.com.
