The University of Kentucky softball team will host its third straight nationally-ranked opponent this weekend, Apr. 1-2, as it welcomes No. 4 Alabama for a three-game Southeastern Conference series. The Wildcats will also host its Alumni Weekend as the UK softball program celebrates its 10th year.
The Cats and Crimson Tide meet for the 24th time in school history this weekend. Alabama leads the all-time series between the two schools 22-1, having dropped its only game in the series the last time the Tide traveled to Lexington in the 2004 season.
This is the first conference road series for the fourth-ranked Crismon Tide. UA brings a five-game winning streak to Lexington. They had won 12 straight before falling to No. 1 Arizona on Mar. 18 at the Kia Classic in Fullerton, Calif.
The Wildcats are now 14-19 on the year after dropping three games to No. 5 Tennessee in a mid-week series. The Cats have lost six straight to fall to 2-13 in SEC play. Senior Meghan Cooper continues to lead the offense, batting .330 with 21 runs scored. Junior Brooke Marnitz leads the team with five home runs and 23 walks, including two intentional walks during the Tennessee series. Junior Katie Campbell is second on the team with a .315 average and leads the team with 27 RBI.
?We have played the toughest conference schedule of anyone so far and it doesn?t get any easier this weekend with Alabama,? said second-year head coach Eileen Schmidt. ?We have to be ready to play hard this weekend.?
The weekend?s Alumni events include a meet-and-greet social night on Friday, Mar. 31, for returning alumni and their guests. Players will be recognized between games on Saturday, Apr. 1, and alums will be treated to a barbecue following the doubleheader.
?We?re happy to celebrate and honor our UK alumni this weekend,? said Schmidt. ?It?s been 10 years of UK softball and the conference has really grown. It will be great to have all of them back here this weekend.?
The series is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start on Saturday with a doubleheader. The two teams will play one game on Sunday which was moved up to 12:30 a.m. because of Alabama?s travel arrangements.
