Spring Break
Softball team ready for postseason as SEC tourney starts
BEN BUSSARD
Issue date: 5/7/09 Section: Sports
This is what it's all about.
The Georgia softball team (39-9, 18-7 SEC) heads to Knoxville, Tenn., to take part in the 2009 Southeastern Conference Tournament and looks to win the second conference championship in school history.
The No. 7 Bulldogs wrapped up the 2009 regular season with a .813 winning percentage - the highest in school history.
In addition to compiling the highest winning percentage in school history, Georgia also posted a school record .926 winning percentage at home (25-2).
Six Bulldogs recently earned All-SEC honors following their 2009 campaigns.
Sophomore third baseman Alisa Goler and sophomore centerfielder Taylor Schlopy were both named to the All-SEC First Team while senior pitcher Christie Hamilton and sophomore first baseman Brianna Hesson were named to the All-SEC Second Team.
Senior shortstop Kristen Schnake was honored as the league's top fielding shortstop and voted to the SEC All-Defensive team while freshman catcher Kristyn Sandberg was named to the SEC All-Freshman team.
The first round match up for the No. 3 seed Bulldogs in the tournament is the No. 6 seed Kentucky Wildcats.
Kentucky visited Athens back in late March and Georgia was able to sweep the Wildcats by a combined score of 18-3.
Sophomore pitcher Sarah McCloud and senior Christie Hamilton combined to throw 17 innings against the Wildcats, surrendering just 12 hits, three walks, and three earned runs.
While the Bulldogs were able to dominate Kentucky in Athens, head coach Lu Harris-Champer is wary of any complacency setting in for her team this time around.
"When we played them [earlier in the season] we were on a bit of a hot streak," Harris-Champer said, "but we think they are a good team and should be a good match up."
"I think Kentucky is a very good team-just by being able to watch them progress throughout the season and the way they are pitching and hitting, they have definitely improved."
Similar to Coach Harris-Champer, Kentucky head coach Rachel Lawson expressed adulation regarding her team's opponent.
"Our team is just really excited [about the tournament]," Lawson said, "Georgia is a great team and we are going to have our hands full."
"I think [Georgia has] good pitching and a great defense, but their offense is just awesome and is by far one of the best in the country."
First pitch between the Bulldogs and Wildcats is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday morning with the winner moving on to play the winner of the Alabama/Arkansas game on Friday afternoon.
The Georgia softball team (39-9, 18-7 SEC) heads to Knoxville, Tenn., to take part in the 2009 Southeastern Conference Tournament and looks to win the second conference championship in school history.
The No. 7 Bulldogs wrapped up the 2009 regular season with a .813 winning percentage - the highest in school history.
In addition to compiling the highest winning percentage in school history, Georgia also posted a school record .926 winning percentage at home (25-2).
Six Bulldogs recently earned All-SEC honors following their 2009 campaigns.
Sophomore third baseman Alisa Goler and sophomore centerfielder Taylor Schlopy were both named to the All-SEC First Team while senior pitcher Christie Hamilton and sophomore first baseman Brianna Hesson were named to the All-SEC Second Team.
Senior shortstop Kristen Schnake was honored as the league's top fielding shortstop and voted to the SEC All-Defensive team while freshman catcher Kristyn Sandberg was named to the SEC All-Freshman team.
The first round match up for the No. 3 seed Bulldogs in the tournament is the No. 6 seed Kentucky Wildcats.
Kentucky visited Athens back in late March and Georgia was able to sweep the Wildcats by a combined score of 18-3.
Sophomore pitcher Sarah McCloud and senior Christie Hamilton combined to throw 17 innings against the Wildcats, surrendering just 12 hits, three walks, and three earned runs.
While the Bulldogs were able to dominate Kentucky in Athens, head coach Lu Harris-Champer is wary of any complacency setting in for her team this time around.
"When we played them [earlier in the season] we were on a bit of a hot streak," Harris-Champer said, "but we think they are a good team and should be a good match up."
"I think Kentucky is a very good team-just by being able to watch them progress throughout the season and the way they are pitching and hitting, they have definitely improved."
Similar to Coach Harris-Champer, Kentucky head coach Rachel Lawson expressed adulation regarding her team's opponent.
"Our team is just really excited [about the tournament]," Lawson said, "Georgia is a great team and we are going to have our hands full."
"I think [Georgia has] good pitching and a great defense, but their offense is just awesome and is by far one of the best in the country."
First pitch between the Bulldogs and Wildcats is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday morning with the winner moving on to play the winner of the Alabama/Arkansas game on Friday afternoon.
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