Softball Set for Sixth World Series Appearance
5/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 27, 2009
ALABAMA (52-9, 21-6 SEC)
TV: ESPN
Radio: None
Internet Radio: None
Live Stats: Rolltide.com
Video Streaming: ESPN 360
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The No. 4 nationally seeded Alabama softball team (52-9, 21-6 SEC) travels to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla., to take on No. 5 seeded Michigan (46-10, 17-3 Big Ten) at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium on Thursday, May 28 at 6:00 p.m. C.T. The trip to Oklahoma City marks the Crimson Tide's sixth overall appearance in the Women's College World Series and second in as many years. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN and can also be seen online on ESPN 360.
Last Time Out
Led by dominate pitching from sophomore hurler Kelsi Dunne, Alabama defeated in-state opponent Jacksonville State in two games over the weekend as hosts of the NCAA Softball Tuscaloosa Regional to advance to the Women's College World Series. Dunne tossed two consecutive no-hitters to defeat the Gamecocks, which is the only time that feat has been accomplished in NCAA postseason history, while the Crimson Tide's offense provided nine runs in each contest to secure back-to-back run-rule victories. In game one on Friday, May 22, Alabama had nine different players cross home in the 9-0 decision, and was led by Kelley Montalvo's 2-for-3 performance at the plate. The senior third baseman drove in two runs and scored another while Ashley Holcombe, Amanda Locke and Kellie Eubanks also collected a pair of RBI in the series-opening win. Dunne finished the five-inning contest with seven strikeouts and only allowed two runners to reach base in her third no-hitter of the season, as she hit a batter and walked another. Game two on Saturday, May 23 would tell a similar story. In a contest that was accompanied by steady rainfall, Dunne's poise in the circle was once again on display. Alabama's offense was efficient as well, scoring nine runs off seven hits to secure its fourth run-rule victory of the postseason. The Tide led 7-0 in the top of the fifth inning when Montalvo stepped to the plate with a runner aboard and delivered a shot over the left field wall to put the mercy rule into effect. She finished the game 1-for-1 with three runs and two RBI while Lauren Parker hit 2-for-3 with two runs. Kellie Eubanks went 1-for-2 with two RBI and belting her fifth home run of the season. In five innings of work Dunne allowed no hits, struck out seven and allowed a walk in the bottom of the fifth to spoil her chance at perfection. Dunne's no-hitter was the sixth of her career, moving her past Stephanie VanBrakle on Alabama's all-time list.
Who to Watch
In five games during NCAA postseason play, Alabama has been dominant all the way around. The Tide has outscored the opposition 47-4 and sports a .395 team batting average. Alabama has defined efficiency in the batter's box, scoring 47 runs off 47 hits. In the circle the Tide boasts a 5-0 mark, and in 28 innings the trio of Kelsi Dunne, Charlotte Morgan and Amanda Locke has given up only four runs, one of which was earned. Dunne has earned three of the wins with a 0.44 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 16 innings of work. The Port Orange, Fla., native has only allowed five hits and walked five batters in that same stretch. Freshman Cassandra Reilly-Boccia has been tearing through her first postseason. In eleven at-bats Reilly-Boccia has collected seven hits, scored seven runs, driven in six and hit a home run. The rookie paces the squad with a .636 batting average and her 1.182 slugging percentage and .750 on-base percentage are tops on the team. Kelley Montalvo is 6-for-12 for a .500 batting average while also driving in five runs and drawing a walk four times. Catcher Ashley Holcombe has tallied a team-high nine RBI off four hits and has hit two home runs. Dating back to the April 14 contest against Kentucky, Alabama sports a 20-1 record. In that stretch of games Holcombe has driven in a team-best 33 RBI off 22 hits and leads the squad with six home runs. In the same span Charlotte Morgan has picked up 23 hits in 47 at-bats for a team-high .489 batting average. Morgan has slugged .830 to accompany her .594 on-base percentage that is second only to Reilly-Boccia's .597 mark.
Scouting the Competition
Michigan will be making their first trip back to Oklahoma City since they won the Women's College World Series in 2005. The Big 12 Champion Wolverines come into the College World Series with a 46-10 record after besting Baylor in two games at the Ann Arbor Super Regional by scores of 8-1 and 7-1. Like Alabama, Michigan has found success with two strong starting pitchers and a balanced lineup. The Wolverines are led in the circle by Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Nikki Nemitz, who sports a conference best 0.89 ERA. Her 27 wins are second best in the Big 12. While pitching 203.2 innings this season, Nemitz has struck out 295 batters, while allowing just 26 earned runs. At the plate the Wolverines have four batters with a batting average above .325, with Amanda Chidester at .352, Angela Findlay at .350, Bree Evans at .328 and Maggie Viefhaus checking in at .327. Viefhaus leads the team in a number of offensive categories including runs scored (43), doubles (18), runs batted in (38), total bases (101) and slugging percentage (.647).
Series History
Michigan: Thursday night's match up will be the eighth time Alabama and Michigan have met on the diamond. The two teams were scheduled to face off earlier this season in the NFCA Leadoff Classic; however the game was cancelled due to inclement weather. The last time the two teams met was a nine-inning thriller on February 24, 2006. Brittany Rogers was the hero in that game going 2-for-4, hitting in the tying run and scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Crimson Tide a 3-2 win. Michigan holds the advantage in the all-time series at 3-4, however Alabama is 3-1 against the Wolverines while under head coach Patrick Murphy.
Florida: If the Gators and the Tide face off this weekend it will be the fifth time the two will have played in 2009. While Florida holds the 3-1 advantage over Alabama this year, there are reasons for optimism from the Tide. The Crimson Tide account for five of the 15 earned runs given up by Florida ace Stacey Nelson and in the last two games played, Alabama has put up a combined 11 runs on the Gators. Alabama owns the all-time record against Florida, which currently stands at 25-15.
Arizona: The Wildcats remember Alabama well, as the Tide knocked Arizona out of the College World Series last year. Charlotte Morgan hammered the Wildcats in that game going 3-for-3 with three RBI, leading the Tide to a 5-1 win. The all-time record sits at 10-1 in Arizona's favor.
Washington: If Alabama and Washington meet in the WCWS it will be their third meeting this year. The two teams split two games earlier this year in Tuscaloosa at the Easton Challenge, both games with scores of 6-0. Alabama is 1-4 all-time against Washington.
Georgia: Alabama and Georgia are no strangers to one another as a meeting in the WCWS would be the fourth this year. Alabama swept the Bulldogs in a three game conference series in Tuscaloosa earlier this year, outscoring Georgia 14-3 in those games. The Tide is 26-11 all-time against the Dogs.
Arizona State: The Sun Devils accounted for both of Alabama losses in last year's WCWS; former ASU pitcher Katie Burkhart defeated the Tide in both games last year. The two teams did not face off this season. Alabama is 4-4 all-time against Arizona State.
Missouri: The last time Missouri and Alabama met on the diamond was the 2008 NCAA Tuscaloosa Super Regional. The Crimson Tide flexed its muscle that weekend beating Missouri 6-1 and 7-1 in two games to advance to last year's WCWS. Alabama is 3-2 all-time against Missouri.
Alabama Turns NCAA Record Five Double Plays
Alabama set the NCAA record with five double plays against Texas on May 17 in the championship game of the Tuscaloosa Regional. Tide shortstop Kellie Eubanks snagged a line drive off the bat of Desiree Williams in the sixth inning and quickly flipped to Lauren Parker at second base to force UT's Brittany Barnhill. Parker was involved in all five double plays turned as the first four all went 5-4-3. The previous record was four set on four different occasions.
Crimson Tide Garner No. 4 National Seed
Alabama was awarded the No. 4 national seed for the 2009 NCAA Division I Tournament. The Crimson Tide was second in the most recent RPI released by the NCAA on May 5. Alabama is 13-6 against top 25 teams this season and 7-4 against top 10 teams. The Tide has earned wins over No. 1 Florida and No. 1 Washington.
Alabama against the 2009 NCAA Tournament Field
The Tide played an impressive 19 teams in 2009 that were selected for the NCAA Tournament. Alabama played 44 games against those NCAA Tournament teams and posted a 37-7 (.841) record. The 44 games against tournament teams represented 70 percent of Alabama's 2009 schedule. The Crimson Tide also faced seven of the teams that received the No. 1-16 national seeds, holding a 10-5 (.670) record against those teams.
Alabama in the NCAA Tournament
Alabama earned its 11th consecutive NCAA Tournament bid in 2009. Since the inception of the Super Regional format in 2005, the Crimson Tide has participated in the event every season and has won four of the five Super Regionals they have competed in (2005, `06, `08 & `09). The Tide has a 41-21 record in the NCAA Tournament (including regionals, super regionals and the WCWS) and hoist an impressive seven NCAA Regional titles (2000, `03, `05, `06, `07, `08 & `09) in just 13 years of existence.
Crimson Tide Makes Sixth Trip in 10 Years to WCWS
Alabama will be making their sixth trip in school history to the Women's College World Series this week. The six appearances (2000, '03, '05, '06, '08 & '09) since 2000 rank third in the NCAA, with only Arizona (9) and UCLA (8) making more appearances in that stretch. Alabama's six WCWS appearances by far lead the Southeastern Conference.
Alabama against 2009 WCWS Participants
Alabama has faced three of the other seven teams competing this week in Women's College World Series. The Crimson Tide has defeated each of those teams (Florida, Washington & Georgia) at least once this year, holding a combined 5-4 record against those teams.
Tide Flawless in NCAA Tournament Play
Alabama's perfect 5-0 record in the 2009 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament is not a surprise to many, as the Crimson Tide have rode a perfect record in tournament play into every Women's College World Series the school has competed in.
Dunne Sets NCAA Postseason No-hitter Record
Alabama has had five no-hitters this season on the strength of two no-no's in the Super Regional by sophomore Kelsi Dunne. Dunne has four this season, and her two in postseason play set a NCAA record for consecutive no-hitters. Her no-hitters were against Jacksonville State on May 22 and 23, Auburn on April 26 and against Kentucky on April 14. Dunne now has six on her career which breaks the record formerly held by Stephanie VanBrakle and her five no-hitters. Charlotte Morgan tossed her first career no-hitter against Georgia Tech on April 22.
SEC Stats
Among teams in the Southeastern Conference in all games played, Alabama ranks first in hit by pitch (70), on-base percentage (.432), steal attempts (200), stolen bases (172), runners picked off (11), intentional walks allowed (2) and is tied for first in fielding double plays (23). The Tide checks in at second in the league in runs scored (404), walks (241), hits (480), total plate appearances (1,864), RBI (351), sacrifice flies (17), ERA (1.57), runs allowed (107), earned runs allowed (86), wins (52) and home runs allowed (20). Alabama is third in batting average (.320), total bases (758), slugging percentage (.506), home runs (60), batters struck out (403), batters struck out looking (100), opposing batting average (.198), hits allowed (273), walks allowed (125) and doubles allowed (34). Individually in all games played, Kelsi Dunne has only allowed only two intentional walks, which ties her for first in the conference. Dunne checks in at third in ERA (1.37), batters struck out (240), batters struck out looking (66), opposing batting average (.175), wins (27) and starts (33). Charlotte Morgan's eight sacrifice flies lead the SEC, while she is tied for second in hit by pitch (13) and tied for first in walks allowed (20). Kelley Montalvo leads the league in walks (51) and is tied for third in runs scored (55). Brittany Rogers checks in at second in steal attempts (56) and stolen bases (47), while Tide backstop Ashley Holcombe paces the conference with 10 runners picked off.
Six Named to NFCA All-Region Team
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association has announced the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-Region teams, honoring student-athletes from 10 NFCA regions. A total of 264 players from 121 different institutions comprise the regional teams. Alabama had a school record six players named to the South Region team. The honorees included: pitcher Kelsi Dunne, catcher Ashley Holcombe, third baseman Kelley Montalvo, outfielder Brittany Rogers, utility player Charlotte Morgan and utility/non-pitcher Cassandra Reilly-Boccia.
Three Named to SEC All-Tournament Team
Alabama had three players named to the SEC All-Tournament team. Seniors Ashley Holcombe and Lauren Parker garnered the honors along with junior Charlotte Morgan. Holcombe led all Crimson Tide hitters with a .500 average, adding a home run and three RBI. Parker closely followed with a .444 mark and paced UA with four hits. Morgan batted .429, hit a home run and drove in four. The Southpaw also went 2-0 in the circle with a perfect 0.00 ERA.
Morgan Named SEC Player of the Year
Alabama junior Charlotte Morgan was named the SEC Player of the Year. Morgan, who was named to the first team for the second consecutive season becomes the first member of the Crimson Tide softball program to be named the SEC Player of the Year. The Moreno Valley, Calif. native led the league in hitting (.447) and RBI (34), and helped guide Alabama to a 21-6 SEC record and the Western Division title. Morgan was also a threat in the circle. The pitcher/utility player made eight starts and recorded a 6-4 record in 62 innings pitched with 63 strikeouts while only walking 10. At the plate, the USA Player of the Year candidate recorded 34 RBI on 34 hits in 76 at bats during league play.
Locke Named SEC Freshman of the Year
Alabama freshman Amanda Locke was named the SEC Freshman of the Year. This marks a SEC best sixth Freshman of the Year honor for the Crimson Tide and second straight. Locke, a utility/pitcher, who was also named to the all freshman team, hit .321, with 14 RBI and a team-leading five home runs in conference play. The Mesquite, Texas native also made four SEC pitching appearances and in 4.2 innings did not allow a run. Locke joins teammates Brittany Rogers (2006) and Kelsi Dunne (2008) as newcomer award recipients.
Seven Earn All Conference Accolades
Alabama had seven players garner accolades from the SEC. On the first team from the Crimson Tide were Brittany Rogers, Charlotte Morgan, Kelsi Dunne and Kelley Montalvo. Rogers is just the third player in Alabama history to be named to the first team in all four seasons. Montalvo and Morgan earn the honor for the second straight season while Dunne is on the first team for a career first. Amanda Locke and Cassandra Reilly-Boccia were named to the All-Freshman team while Ashley Holcombe joins, Rogers and Montalvo on the All-Defensive team.
Morgan in Final 10 for USA Player of the Year
The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, has selected its 10 Finalists for the 8th Annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award and Alabama junior Charlotte Morgan is on the list for the second consecutive season. This award, which is considered the most prestigious honors in Division I women's collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.
Strength of Schedule
Alabama posted the toughest schedule in America according to warrennolan.com, ahead of Arizona and Washington. The Crimson Tide played 39 games against 2008 NCAA tournament participants and posted a 30-7 record. Alabama is 12-7 against top 25 teams this season and 6-5 against top 10 teams. Alabama has earned wins over No. 1 Florida and No. 1 Washington. Against teams that made the 2009 field the Crimson Tide sports a 36-7 overall record.
NCAA Stats
As a team among all NCAA Division-I squads, Alabama ranks first in stolen bases per game (2.86), second in win/loss percentage (.847), fifth in runs per game (6.67) and twelfth in batting average (.318) and fielding percentage (.974). The Tide checks in at fourteenth in ERA (1.61), fifteenth in slugging percentage (.498) and twentieth in home runs per game (.98). Individually, Charlotte Morgan's eight sacrifice flies lead the nation and her 1.02 RBI per game are good enough for eighteenth overall. Kelley Montalvo is ninth in walks (48) and tied for fourteenth in sacrifice flies (14). Brittany Rogers' 46 stolen bases are fourth best in the country. Lauren Parker's .049 strikeout average makes her the twenty-second toughest player in Division-I softball to fan. Kelsi Dunne checks in at twenty-fifth in wins with 25 victories on the year. (as of May 19)
Dozier Named to the SEC Community Service Team
Alabama sophomore infielder Catherine Dozer was named to the Southeastern Conference Community Service team, as announced by the conference office Tuesday. The SEC sponsors Community Service Teams for all 20 league sponsored sports. The Community Service Team looks to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to her community in superior service efforts. Dozier participated in more than 70 hours worth of community service as she has worked at the Lakeshore Foundation for various events including teaching wheelchair-bound children to play sports and the mini-slam Kids Camp. She also participated in the Together We CAN Drive,
Attendance Record
Alabama broke the all-time NCAA attendance record of 55,746 set in 1999 by Fresno State. The Crimson Tide sports a 2009 total attendance to date of 62,435 in 27 home games played for an average to date of 2,312. In 2008 the Tide led the country with 51,024 in 27 home games played for an average of 1,890. The single game record was also shattered this season when the Tide welcomed 3122 fans to the game against Auburn on April 25.
Murphy Earns Win No. 600
Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy earned his 600th victory of his career by earning a 2-1 win over Kentucky on May 8 in the SEC Tournament semifinals. Murphy has become just the second coach among the current SEC coaches to accomplish the feat in just 12 seasons at the helm. The only other coach to do so in 12 seasons is Lu Harris-Champer of Georgia, who tallied the majority of her wins at Nicholls State and Southern Miss. Murphy spent one season as the interim head coach at Northwest Missouri State where he guided the Bearcats to 28 wins. Since those 28 wins the Iowa native has guided Alabama to 570 wins in just over 10 years. Including this season no current coach in the SEC has more wins over the last 10 seasons than Murphy. Over the last 10 seasons Murphy has compiled 538 wins. Ralph Weekly at Tennessee has compiled 511 wins and Harris-Champer has 509 wins.
Morgan Becomes First with Three 50 RBI Seasons
Alabama junior Charlotte Morgan has become the first Crimson Tide player to drive in 50 or more runs in three seasons. Morgan sports 56 RBI this season and drove in an SEC record 79 last year. As a freshman Morgan drove in 52. Kelly Kretschman had two seasons of 50 or more RBI. The former Team USA member drove in 64 in 1998 and 58 in 2000. No other Alabama player has had two or more seasons on 50 or more RBI. Morgan became the first player to do so when she drove in three in the opening round of the SEC Tournament against Arkansas. Morgan now sits in second place all-time in the UA career annals with 187 RBI, trailing the 191 of Kretschman.
Morgan and Rogers Named to CoSIDA All-District Team
Alabama had a pair of players named to the 2009 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Softball team as announced by CoSIDA Thursday. Junior Charlotte Morgan was named to the District 4 first team while Brittany Rogers garnered second team recognition. The honor is the second for Morgan and is a career first for Rogers.
Tide in the RPI
The NCAA released its RPI rankings through games of May 5. Alabama checks in at No. 2 while Florida ranks No. 1. The SEC has three schools in the top 10 and six in the top 25. Alabama is three spots ahead of Georgia at No .5 and Tennessee follows at No. 13. LSU ranks 17th overall and Kentucky follows at No. 21. Auburn and Mississippi are just out of the top 25 at 30 and 35, respectively.
Alabama Walks
Alabama has had no problems getting on base this season and in addition to all the hits, it is the walks that have propelled the Tide to one of the best on base teams in the nation. Alabama has walked 241 times and sports a .433 on base percentage. Four Tide players sport more walks than strikeouts. Kelley Montalvo, who ranks ninth in the country with 51 free passes has struck out just 14 times and holds a .505 on base percentage. With just one more walk Montalvo would break the single season walk record of 51 held by Kelly Kretschman from the 2000 season. Cassandra Reilly-Boccia has walked 37 times and struck out 23 while Kellie Eubanks has walked 29 times and been punched out 23 times. Charlotte Morgan has been issued a free pass 27 times and struck out 13 times to sport a .515 on base percentage.
Holcombe Joins Rogers at Team USA Training Camp
University of Alabama catcher Ashley Holcombe has been selected to participate in the 2009 USA Softball National Team Selection Camp. The senior from Fayetteville, Ga. joins teammate Brittany Rogers to the Olympic Training Center this summer. The selection camp will take place June 8-12 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. The 2009 National Team will be selected from participants at this camp. Over the summer, USA Softball will compete in the Canada Cup (July 3-12 - Surrey, B.C., Canada), World Cup IV (July 13-20 - Oklahoma City, Okla.), Japan Cup (July 28-Aug. 3 - Sendai City, Japan) and the Pan Am Games Qualifier (July 29-August 10 - Maracay, Venezuela).
Dunne Sweeps National Player of the Week Honors
Alabama sophomore pitcher Kelsi Dunne was named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Player of the Week and the USA Softball Player of the Week as announced by both organizations on April 7. The honors are a career first for the right-hander and the awards also mark the first of the season for a member of the Crimson Tide. Dunne collected all three wins against then No. 6 Georgia last weekend. In 13 innings in the circle, she gave up one earned run, struck out 11 and allowed eight hits, holding the Bulldogs to a .190 team batting average. For the week, Dunne posted a 0.54 ERA. The Port Orange, Fla., native allowed a single run in the first game against Georgia, then came back and earned the win by pitching an inning in relief in an extra-inning thriller in the nightcap. In Sunday's series finale, Dunne struck out 10 en route to the shutout.
Three Named USA Softball POY Finalists
The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, has selected its 25 Finalists for the 8th Annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. Alabama is represented by three players, senior Brittany Rogers, junior Charlotte Morgan and sophomore Kelsi Dunne. Rogers and Morgan were on the final list of 25 last season. This award, which is considered the most prestigious honors in Division I women's collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Kelley Montalvo was on the initial watch list of 50 players.
Rogers 300-200-100
Alabama senior Brittany Rogers is only the second player in school history to bang out 300 hits, score 200 runs and swipe 100 bases. The All-American joins former Tide standout Kelly Kretschman to do so. Rogers sports 338 hits, 253 runs and 193 stolen bases. If Rogers is able to reach 200 stolen bases she would be the first 300-200-200 player in school history. Kretschman paces the Alabama record books with 368 hits and 288 runs scored. Rogers is the all-time leader in stolen bases. With the feat Rogers is one of only four players in the modern era to do so in SEC history.
Rogers Named Lowe's Finalist
Alabama senior outfielder Brittany Rogers was named a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Rogers is one of 10 senior student-athletes that have been selected as a finalist for the 2009 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in the Softball division. Nationwide balloting begins immediately to determine the third annual winner, who will receive the award during the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. The finalists were chosen from a list of 30 candidates based on personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete. It is the second straight season that Alabama has had a finalist for the award. Jordan Praytor was part of the final 10 last season.
Preseason Awards
Alabama enters the 2009 season with numerous players up for awards. Seniors Brittany Rogers and Kelley Montalvo along with junior Charlotte Morgan were named to the ASA Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List. Rogers, Montalvo, Morgan and Dunne were named to the Preseason All-SEC Team. Rogers was one of two players selected unanimously.
Holcombe Drafted by Rockford Thunder
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) held its 2009 Senior Draft on Tuesday night in Akron at the Cambria Suites with the Rockford Thunder using its first pick in the fifth round on Alabama senior catcher Ashley Holcombe. With the No. 21 pick the Thunder selected Alabama's Holcombe, a player highly regarded for her abilities behind the plate. She was a second team All-SEC selection in 2008, as well as a member of the SEC All-Defensive team, as she started and captained all 65 games for the Crimson Tide.
