Tide Softball Hosts Eighth Ranked Georgia Bulldogs
4/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object? Fans will have an opportunity to find out this weekend when the fourth-ranked Alabama softball team (38-6, 16-2) hosts the eighth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (45-9, 21-3) in a crucial SEC series.
The Crimson Tide brings in the SEC's top pitching staff in conference play as Alabama sports a 0.58 ERA while the Bulldogs bring the top offensive attack in league play, hitting at a clip of .327.
The series will go a long way in helping decide this year's SEC champion as the Bulldogs trail Alabama by a half game in the standings and one game in the loss column. However, this year each team will have more work to do in order to hoist the conference trophy. This weekend's series marks the earliest the two schools have met since the 2002 season. Alabama will still have three more series to play after they play the Bulldogs while Georgia has one lone series against Tennessee.
In 2003 the SEC championship came down to the final series of the season between the Tide and the Bulldogs. Georgia defeated Alabama two games to one and claimed the conference title. Last season, Alabama traveled to Athens needing a sweep of the Bulldogs to remain in contention for league title with one series left in the season. The Crimson Tide came away from the series with a single victory and finished the season second in the league, three games behind Georgia.
"It seems like each series gets bigger and bigger as the season progresses and this weekend is no different," said Bama head coach Patrick Murphy. "One of the hottest teams in the country comes to Tuscaloosa. It will be a tune-up for what hopefully will be a Super Regional for us in a month. With the alumni back in town, we hope that gives us a boost to play much better than last weekend."
Alabama comes into the weekend led offensively by sophomore Jordan Praytor who is hitting at a .433 clip and is currently in the midst of a 19-game hitting streak. Sophomore Dani Woods provides the power in the Tide lineup with a team high seven home runs and 36 RBI which is tied for tops on the team with senior Staci Ramsey.
The Alabama staff is led by the two-headed monster of Stephanie VanBrakle and Chrissy Owens. VanBrakle leads the staff with a 21-4 record and 251 strikeouts in 153.0 innings while Owens has a staff best 0.48 ERA.
The weekend is also the culmination of the Tide's season-long 10th Anniversary celebration. The Crimson Tide will host a Friday night 6:30 p.m. Alumni game at the UA Softball stadium. Alums Kelly McQuaid-Simmons and Roxanne Oldham will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 1 Saturday followed by a ceremony honoring all the alumni in between games of Saturday's doubleheader.
Not to be lost in the alumni celebration are Senior Day ceremonies which will take place prior to the start of Game 1 Saturday as well. Tide seniors Dominique Accetturo, Staci Ramsey and Stephanie VanBrakle along with athletic trainer Molly Cannell and senior manager Travis Williams will all be honored.
It will also be Fan Appreciation weekend as fans will be able to take advantage of a Fan Appreciation Special at the concession stands where they will be able to purchase a hot dog, popcorn and soft drink for $5.00.
The two teams will get together for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday followed by a single game on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Fans can follow all the action on www.rolltide.com where live stats and audio will be available. In the Tuscaloosa area, fans can tune into WVUA 90.7 FM where all the action can be heard. Fans can also follow the action on www.crimsontradition.com where a live video stream will be available.
