The Red and Black

The Georgia women's softball team has a big weekend ahead with a four-game series against Kentucky plus the dedication of the new Women's Athletic Complex.

"It's going to be a great day," head coach Alleen Hawkins said. "Even though the complex is not completely finished, we have a fine playing field and will be facing a fine team."

The stadium, which will house both the women's softball and soccer teams, has a seating capacity of 1,000. The complex takes the place of the intramural fields, where both teams played and practiced earlier this year.

While most University students hit the beaches last week, the softball team was busy picking up eight wins and now looks to top the .500 mark in Southeastern Conference play as it takes on the Wildcats for four games this weekend.

"I think we found a lineup that is going to work," Hawkins said of the sizzling ball club. "Anytime you have a young program like ours, it takes a while for the players to adjust, but I think they are starting to click right now."

The Bulldogs (24-11, 4-4 SEC) will play the Wildcats today in a 2 p.m. doubleheader before finishing the series Saturday with another double-header at noon.

Several Bulldogs have contributed to Georgia's seven-game winning streak, but none more than junior Jessi Cerra, who has reached base in 21 straight games.

"I think Jessi has finally figured out how good she can be," Hawkins said. "She has everything it takes to be a good player, and to tell you the truth, I think she can do even better."

Kentucky (14-23, 2-6) is starting a 10-game road trip, and Athens may not be a good place to get started. The Wildcats are 1-3 lifetime against Georgia and were outscored in those games 23-10.

In honor of the dedication, the first 200 fans to show up for game one on Saturday will receive free T-shirts.

– Darren Epps

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