Spring Break
Softball entertains Ole Miss, hopes to solidify second-place rank in SEC East
ZACH DILLARD
Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: Sports
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Georgia (26-7, 7-5 SEC) barely edges out Tennessee for the No. 2 slot behind leader Florida, so the timing could not be better for a visit from the lowly Rebels - if the Bulldogs can take care of business. Georgia has not lost at home in 17 games this season, and has not dropped a game to a non-ranked opponent since its first road trip back in February.
Ole Miss (17-20, 5-14 SEC) has cause for concern for its visit to Athens, as there are potential matchup problems across the board.
The Rebels have struggled against ranked opponents this season (3-10), while Georgia has been in the top 25 the entire year. The Rebels are giving up nearly six runs per game in conference play, while the high-scoring Bulldogs have a lineup with very little weaknesses. Ole Miss has a losing record away from Oxford this year, while the Georgia Softball Complex has proven to be one of the nation's toughest venues.
One of the lone bright spots for Ole Miss has been shortstop Lauren Grill. A junior All-American, Grill was named SEC Player of the Week after her clutch performances against Mississippi State and Kentucky last week. She is one of the country's top home run hitters and is batting .339 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in SEC play.
Sophomore Alisa Goler looks to continue her chase of the Georgia single-season home run and RBI records against the struggling Rebels pitching staff. She needs five home runs and 14 RBIs to break the marks.
Pitchers Christie Hamilton, Sarah McCloud, and Erin Arevalo each possess plenty of ability to shut down the Ole Miss lineup - which is batting only .221 and has nearly as many strikeouts as hits against SEC opponents (113 strikeouts, 116 hits).
Games are set for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. today at the Georgia Softball Complex. Game 3 will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
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