Tide Softball Hosts 11th Ranked LSU this Weekend
4/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The third ranked Alabama softball team (37-4, 15-0 SEC) starts the second half of its conference schedule this weekend as they host the 11th ranked LSU Tigers (39-6, 12-3) in a three-game series at the UA Softball Stadium.
The two teams have met a total of 42 times, the most of any series in the league, with LSU holding a 24-18 advantage. The Crimson Tide however has closed the gap thanks to a three-game series sweep of the Tigers last season in Baton Rouge.
Alabama comes into the series on a 13-game winning streak including six straight shutouts in conference play, placing them on top of the SEC standings. The Tide will also be looking to extend its home winning streak which currently sits at 15 games.
LSU is coming in off a series victory over the 19th ranked Auburn Tigers and has won 14 of its last 15 games. LSU currently sits in third place in the conference standings, three games behind Alabama.
The Tide is led offensively by sophomore Jordan Praytor and freshman Brittany Rogers. Praytor is hitting at a clip of .429 which ranks 29th nationally while Rogers' .423 average checks in at 40th in the country. Sophomore Dani Woods provides the power in the Alabama line up with a team best seven home runs and 34 RBI.
In the pitching circle, the Crimson Tide staff is led by senior All-American Stephanie VanBrakle and Chrissy Owens. VanBrakle ranks fourth in the country with her 21-2 record while her 11.7 strikeouts per seven innings (totaling 235) ranks eighth nationally. Owens' 0.53 ERA is tops on the staff while also ranking third in the country.
The series is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. doubleheader on Friday followed by a single game on Saturday beginning at 2:00 p.m. Saturday will also be Kelly Kretschman Legends Day as the four-time All-American and Olympic gold medalist returns to the Capstone for the first time this season. Kretschman will sign autographs on the concourse from 1:15-1:45 on Saturday and will be honored prior to the start of the game.
A limited number of tickets are still available and can be purchased at the University of Alabama athletic ticket office or by calling the ticket office at 205.348.BAMA (2262). Fans can also purchase tickets at www.rolltide.com or at the gate on the day of the game.
