Tide Softball Looks to Claim First SEC Championship in Arkansas
5/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Alabama softball program has been celebrating its 10th Anniversary all year and what better way to cap of the regular season than claiming its first ever SEC regular season title.
The Crimson Tide travels to Fayetteville, Arkansas for a three-game tilt where they must win two of three games in order to win its first ever SEC Championship.
Alabama has led the SEC from the get-go this year, reeling off 15 straight wins to begin the conference season, not one time relinquishing control of the top spot.
It's a somewhat familiar spot for Bama as they have been in the hunt for the conference title six times, but have never been able to claim the prize. Three times the Tide has entered the final series of the season with the title on the line but came away from each series empty handed. Four of the six times, Bama lost the title by three or fewer games, margins that have included being 1.0 game back in 2000, 1.5 games back in 2003 and 2.0 games back in 2001.
Alabama leads the all-time series 27-7 including a 9-5 mark in Fayetteville. The Tide has won 12 straight in the series and 18 of the last 19 including a three-game sweep of the Lady'Backs in Tuscaloosa last season 4-0, 4-0 and 8-1.
Bama is led offensively by sophomore Jordan Praytor who is having a career year. She owns .420 batting average and a .687 slugging percentage, both are team highs. Senior Staci Ramsey provides the punch in the lineup with a team high nine home runs and 49 RBI.
In the circle, Alabama is led by senior Stephanie VanBrakle and sophomore Chrissy Owens. VanBrakle possesses a team high 24 wins (24-4) and 289 strikeouts in 185.0 innings of work. Owens leads the staff with a 0.75 ERA in 121.1 innings pitched.
The series is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. CT doubleheader on Friday followed by a single 1:00 p.m. game on Saturday. 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 Nic Hoch will call all the balls and strikes.
