Softball Team Prepares for Trip to Seattle
2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? For the second consecutive weekend, the No. 1 University of Alabama softball team takes a perfect record and the nation’s top ranking to a road tournament. Last weekend, the Tide successfully defended its top billing with five wins in as many tries at the Adidas Golden Panther Invitational in Miami, winning its third straight tournament title. This week, Alabama heads to Seattle, Wash., to compete in the Washington Husky Classic.
The site is a familiar one for the 15-0 Tide, as the team ended its 2007 season in the same location last spring when Washington eliminated Alabama from the NCAA Super Regional in two games.
“We’re anxious to get on the field again in Seattle and continue to improve as a team,” said Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy. “We will be seeing three good teams over the weekend, so I think it’s an opportunity for us to move forward as a team and keep making strides before we begin SEC play.”
Alabama heads into the weekend’s slate of games boasting one of the nation’s most potent offenses. The Tide leads the Southeastern Conference in team batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, RBI and doubles. The team has outscored its opponents, 125-16, this season.
Last weekend, the Tide pitching staff also made its mark. True freshman Kelsi Dunne tossed the 12th no-hitter in school history in a 6-0 win over Illinois on Feb. 22, and the staff allowed four runs in five games while recording two shutouts. Dunne and teammate Chrissy Owens each notched two wins and a save in Miami. Dunne was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday following her historic effort against the Illini.
The Tide faces a talented field at the event, including the hosting Huskies. Also competing are Portland State and Nevada. Portland State is 6-10 on the year, while the Wolfpack are 10-5, including a win over defending national champion Arizona on Feb. 17. Washington is 7-5-1 after going 3-1 at New Mexico last weekend. Alabama is 1-2 against the three teams, including an 0-2 mark against UW and a 1-0 record against Portland State. The Tide has never faced Nevada.
Following this weekend’s tournament, the Tide hits the road again on Wednesday, March 6, when it faces instate rival UAB in Birmingham. Alabama returns home for three games against SEC foe Tennessee on March 8-9 at the UA Softball Complex.
