Softball - NFCA Leadoff Classic preview

[rtr1973]

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Alabama softball travels to Columbus, Georgia for this weekend's biggest tournament, the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The 21-team field includes 11 teams in this week's NFCA/USA-Today Top 25 and 4 more teams in the 'receiving votes' catagory.

Alabama (#1)
DePaul (#13)
Florida State (RV)
Georgia (#14)
Georgia Tech (RV)
Hofstra
Houston (RV)
Illinois State
Long Island U
LSU (#20)
Louisiana-Lafayette (#16)
Massachusetts (#22)
Michigan (#6)
Miss State (#25)
Nebraska
Northwestern (#18)
Ohio State (#24)
Penn State
South Carolina (RV)
Southern Illinois (#19)
Virginia Tech

Games will be played Friday thru Sunday at the South Commons Softball Stadium & Complex (Victory Drive/US 280 at Lumpkin Blvd.) in Columbus, GA.

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Bama's Games
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Friday, Feb 27
1:30 PM ET/12:30 PM CT #1 Alabama vs #19 Southern Illinois (Field 2)
6:30 PM ET/5:30 PM CT Virginia Tech vs #1 Alabama (Field 2)

Saturday, Feb 28
1:30 PM ET/12:30 PM CT #1 Alabama vs Houston (Stadium)
4:00 PM ET/3:00 PM CT #6 Michigan vs #1 Alabama (Stadium)

Sunday, March 1
11:00 AM ET/10:00 AM CT #1 Alabama vs #22 UMass (Field 1)

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Games involving other SEC Teams
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Friday, Feb 27
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11:00 AM ET/10:00 AM CT
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Houston vs South Carolina (Stadium)
#25 Miss State vs #24 Ohio State (Field 1)

1:30 PM ET/12:30 PM CT
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South Carolina vs Illinois St (Stadium)

4:00 PM ET/3:00 PM CT
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Long Island vs #25 Miss State (Field 4)
#22 UMass vs #14 Georgia (Field 5)

6:30 PM ET/5:30 PM CT
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#20 LSU vs Georgia Tech (Stadium)
#14 Georgia vs #13 DePaul (Field 5)

Saturday, Feb 28
================
11:00 AM ET/10:00 AM CT
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#14 Georgia vs Penn State (Field 4)

1:30 PM ET/12:30 PM CT
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#20 LSU vs Florida State (Field 1)

4:00 PM ET/3:00 PM CT
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South Carolina vs Nebraska (Field 2)
#22 UMass vs #25 Miss State (Field 3)
Hofstra vs #14 Georgia (Field 4)

6:30 PM ET/5:30 PM CT
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#25 Miss State vs Hofstra (Stadium)
Penn State vs South Carolina (Field 2)
Illinois State vs #20 LSU (Field 4)

Sunday, March 1
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11:00 AM ET/10:00 AM CT
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#24 Ohio State vs #14 Georgia (Field 2)
#18 Northwestern vs South Carolina (Field 4)

1:30 PM ET/12:30 PM CT
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#25 Miss State vs #6 Michigan (Field 1)
#20 LSU vs #13 DePaul (Field 2)

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Bama's Opponents
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Southern Illinois - Ranked #19 in this week's USA-Today/NFCA poll, the Salukis are one of three unbeaten teams (the others are #3 Washington and #12 Missouri) in this week's Top 25. The Salukis started the season with a west coast trip (Cathedral City Kickoff) before traveling to the southeast for their third straight weekend. They beat some decent teams in Palm Springs (Long Beach St & Oregon St), but nothing like the teams they'll face Friday (#1 Bama & #6 Michigan). Bama will likely face their pitching ace, Katie McNamara (5-0 with a 0.00 era, 30 Ks vs 1 BB in 27 innings pitched), but their other two pitchers aren't far behind. At the plate, the Salukis are led by Alicia Garza (.475 with a .600 slugging %) and Chelsea Held (.444 with a .815 slugging %). The Salukis are fairly aggressive on the base paths (successful on 26 of 30 steal attempts).

Virginia Tech - With the graduation of superstar pitcher, Angela Tincher (who threw a no-hitter against the US Olympic Team last year), the Hokies are just an average team. While they were #20 in the pre-season rankings, they're gone 5-9 on the season with five run-rule losses. With that said, the Hokies seem to have finally found some offense this past weekend (scoring 26 runs while going 3-2 in the Kickin' Chicken Classic at Conway, SC). Neither pitcher, Kenzie Roark nor Abbie Rexrode, has particularly good stats (3.56 and 4.15 ERAs respectively and significantly under 1-KO per inning pitched). At the plate, the Hokies are led by speedster Jenna Rhodes (.479 batting avg and 12 of 13 on steal attempts) and clean-up hitters Jessica Everhart and Charisse Maricond (.324/.622 and .324/.568 batting/slugging %, respectively).

Houston - The 7-7 Cougars are just outside this week's Top 25 (27th in both polls). Three of their 7 loses are to ranked teams (#11 Cal, #7 Oklahoma, and #21 Texas A&M). Bama has an advantage in almost every statistical catagory, especially pitching (team ERA of 0.84 vs Houston's 3.94). Bama can't afford to overlook the Cougars, but Bama should win if they take care of business.

Michigan - #6 Michigan is 12-3 while playing a very tough non-conference schedule. The Lady Wolverines beat #4 UCLA and lost close games to #13 DePaul and #22 UMass. They have mid-week games at FSU (won 1-0 in 13 innings) and #2 UF before going to Columbus to face 4 more ranked teams (#19 Southern Illinois, #16 ULL, #1 Alabama, and #25 Miss State). Michigan has two excellent pitchers, Nikki Nemitz (0.70 era) and Jordan Taylor (1.14 era), who have combined for 154 strikeouts in 99-1/3 innings. At the plate, the Wolverines are pretty well balanced with 5 players having HRs and 6 players with 5+ RBIs.

Massachusetts - #22 UMass (6-4) has been a bit inconsistant. They've shutout two highly-ranked opponents (#6 Michigan & #8 Arizona State) and played others close (2 run losses to #4 UCLA and #7 Oklahoma). Their other losses were to unranked FAU and #9 Tennessee (by 5 runs each). The Minutewomen are led in the pitching circle by senior Brandice Balschmiter who shutout both UCLA and Michigan, but has not been especially dominating in other games. At the plate, UMass is led by Samantha Salato (3 HRs, 8 RBIs) and Michelle Libby (.500 b/avg, .700 slugging, and .565 ob%).

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UPDATE - The weather forecast for the tournament is not promising. 50% Chance of rain late Friday, increasing to 80% chance of rain Saturday, with 30% chance or rain changing to snow showers on Sunday. More info is available at the tourney website.

Wow. We're certainly playing top-notch competition. I like that.

Roll Tide, ladies!

[Bamaball2001]

	Quote:	rtr1973
	Alabama softball travels to Columbus, Georgia for this weekend's biggest tournament, the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The 21-team field includes 11 teams in this week's NFCA/USA-Today Top 25 and 4 more teams in the 'receiving votes' catagory. Southern Illinois - Ranked #19 in this week's USA-Today/NFCA poll, the Salukis are one of three unbeaten teams (the others are #3 Washington and #12 Missouri) in this week's Top 25. The Salukis started the season with a west coast trip (Cathedral City Kickoff) before traveling to the southeast for their third straight weekend. They beat some decent teams in Palm Springs (Long Beach St & Oregon St), but nothing like the teams they'll face Friday (#1 Bama & #6 Michigan). Bama will likely face their pitching ace, Katie McNamara (5-0 with a 0.00 era, 30 Ks vs 1 BB in 27 innings pitched), but their other two pitchers aren't far behind. At the plate, the Salukis are led by Alicia Garza (.475 with a .600 slugging %) and Chelsea Held (.444 with a .815 slugging %). The Salukis are fairly aggressive on the base paths (successful on 26 of 30 steal attempts).

I will say that over the years Southern Illinois has produced some very good softball teams and they have played Bama well. They are not afraid to take on anyone so that opening game should be a good one.

The Michigan game will be outstanding. I might even try to make that one.

	Quote:	rolltidescott
	Wow. We're certainly playing top-notch competition. I like that. Roll Tide, ladies!

This year Murph is pulling out all the stops; Alabama has one of the toughest schedules in the country.

After this tournament we will be playing #1 Washington in the EASTON SEC/Pac-10/Big 12 Challenge , March 6 & 7 at home in T-Town.

We will also play #24 Baylor in that tournament and they have always played the Tide well dating back to the days when Glenn Moore coached at LSU. He will definitely want this one and so will coach Murphy.

You probably can get tickets for this but not for long. Georgia will be there although we will not be playing them. Have to save that for the SEC play.

RTR!

[Mickey2198]

I know that we have a big weekend coming up, which I hope to make part of, but I am totally excited about the next home games. In addition to what you said about Baylor, Washington has been a thorn in our side for the last couple of years. Including sending us home from the super regional a couple of years ago.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24604711@N06/

This is a link to photos that were taken of the new addition to the stadium, looks like they will have it finished. Supposed to seet 450 on the new tiers and there will be still room other places out there, so even if the tickets sell out people will be able to sit out there for free.

Also you can't tell it from the pictures, but they are adding concrete on top of the hill where the visiting bull pen is, so that might add standing room inside. All and all I hope there is standing room only for this series of games.