Bama Hosts Mississippi State in Three-Game Series
4/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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After taking a one-game break from conference play, the 10th ranked Alabama softball team steps back into league action this weekend to host SEC West rival Mississippi State (25-18, 6-9) in a three-game series at the UA Softball Complex.
Alabama (41-9, 13-5) stepped out of conference action earlier in the week and defeated the Belmont Bruins 6-0 in Huntsville; prior to that the Crimson Tide defeated Ole Miss in a three-game set, taking two of three games from the Rebels in Tuscaloosa last weekend.
Mississippi State also stepped out of conference play this week traveling to Hattiesburg, Mississippi where they defeated the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 5-2. Last weekend, the Bulldogs dropped two of three to Auburn in Starkville.
Alabama leads the all-time series with Mississippi State 23-7 including a 10-2 mark in Tuscaloosa. A large portion of the Tide's 23 wins in the series came during a stretch where Alabama won 14 in row in a streak that dated from the 2000 season through the 2003 season. However, Mississippi State has won three of the last four meetings which includes winning the season series last year in Starkville (2-1) and claiming the final game in Tuscaloosa in the 2003 season. Alabama's lone win in the last four games was a 10-2 run-rule victory over the Dawgs in Starkville last year.
Senior Ashley Courtney leads the Alabama offensive attack as she ranks first on the team in average (.384), runs (36), hits (56) and stolen bases (18).
Junior Stephanie VanBrakle is the staff leader with a 20-4 record while recorded a team high 204 strikeouts. Freshman Chrissy Owens leads the staff with a 1.07 ERA and eight saves, a single-season team record.
The series is scheduled to begin with a Saturday afternoon doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m. CT. The three-game set will conclude on Sunday with a single game where first pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT. Fans can follow all the action at www.rolltide.com where live stats and audio will be available. The games will also be available in the Tuscaloosa area on 90.7 FM WVUA where Kent Jackson will be calling all the balls and strikes.
