Softball Climbs to No. 2, Hosts Pair of Midweek Games
2/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? After a perfect 4-0 start to the 2008 season, the University of Alabama softball team moved up to No. 2 in both national softball polls and prepares to host a pair of midweek opponents prior to its second straight home tournament this weekend at the UA Softball Facility.
The Tide, ranked No. 4 in both national preseason polls, moved up two spots after easily dispatching four opponents en route to a team title at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash in Tuscaloosa last weekend. Alabama beat South Alabama, Jacksonville State and Purdue twice in five innings in its first four games. It marked the fourth time in as many seasons that UA won its first four games of the season.
Defending national champion Arizona held down the top spot in both polls but have not played a game. Texas A&M, Tennessee and Arizona State rounded out the top five in both polls.
Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy earned career win No. 499 over the weekend and stands one shy of becoming the 50th active coach in the nation with 500 wins in his career. He owns a 471-149 mark in nine-plus years as head coach at UA.
On Wednesday, the Tide hosts McNeese State (1-3) in the first of five consecutive days of softball at the Capstone. The Cowgirls beat Prairie View A&M last weekend after losing two to Houston, who made a debut in the nation’s top 25 this week. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
Georgia Tech, a team that was ranked in the preseason, heads to Tuscaloosa with a 2-2 mark for a Thursday evening matchup. The Yellow Jackets beat UT-Martin and Lipscomb, but suffered losses to Lipscomb and Georgia State and dropped out of the top 25.
Following its two midweek games, the Tide plays host to Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee and New Mexico in the Hampton Inn Crimson Classic. Play begins at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 15. Alabama’s first game is scheduled for 4 p.m. against New Mexico. The Tide faces Georgia Tech in a rematch on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Live stats, a link to the radio broadcast by WVUA 90.7 FM and updated stats and scores can be found on the Alabama official web site, RollTide.com, throughout the week.
