Spring Break
Georgia softball team kicks off regional against Radford
ZACH DILLARD
Issue date: 5/14/09 Section: Sports
The sixth-seeded Georgia softball team begins its quest for a national title against the Radford Highlanders in Chapel Hill, N.C. Thursday.
This marks the second year in a row the Bulldogs (39-10) were selected as the top seed in the Chapel Hill Regional - the team went 3-0 last season en route to its appearance in the Super Regionals.
Despite being the top seed in a region that also includes the North Carolina and Campbell University, the NCAA selection committee chose the second seed in the region, the Tar Heels, to host the double-elimination regional in order to minimize travel for all teams participating.
"I'm sure the NCAA committee did what they thought was fair, but we are just excited and ready for the opportunity to go up to Carolina and play for a regional championship," said head coach Lu Harris-Champer.
Radford (40-13) is looking to extend one of the most storied seasons in school history. The Big South Conference Champion earned the automatic bid to the NCAA tourney by winning their conference tournament - beating Liberty University 10-1 in the final.
The Highlanders garnered numerous conference awards including Big South Coach of the Year (Mickey Dean), Pitcher of the Year (Chelsea Kelley) and Freshman of the Year (Leigh Godfrey). In all, seven Radford players were selected to various All-Big South teams while featuring five players on the conference's first team.
"I know [Radford] is a very well coached team and they have had a very good season…we are just going to take one game at a time and we are only looking forward to Radford right now," said Harris-Champer.
Radford presents a balanced opponent for Georgia, led by strong pitching from sophomores Kelley (24-7) and Kellie Snooks (11-5). Both players boast an ERA under 3.00 and have contributed to victories over Oregon State and Mississippi State, two teams which handed the Bulldogs losses this season.
On the offensive end, Georgia pitchers Christie Hamilton and Sarah McCloud will have to contend with a lineup that is hitting at a .319 clip as a unit, as well as providing plenty of power with 65 home runs on the year. The Bulldogs will need to keep Godfrey off the base paths (.467 batting average) and avoid making location mistakes to conference first-teamers Kristin Shifflett and Nicole Beall (each with double-digit home runs).
For Georgia, there is some redemption in order for a lineup that was shut out in the SEC Tournament by Kentucky. Sophomores Alisa Goler and Taylor Schlopy are two of the most dangerous hitters in the country, and will need to step up the entire tournament to continue to lead the young Bulldog hitters. The offense has been one of the best in the country all season long and is capable of catching fire at any time at the plate - look for them to try and get off to a hot start in their first game.
Radford is making its first ever NCAA post-season appearance, while Georgia is making its eighth appearance in program history, all consecutively from 2002-2009.
The winner of the Georgia/Radford game will face the winner of the contest between North Carolina and Campbell.
The game is set to start on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Anderson Stadium.
This marks the second year in a row the Bulldogs (39-10) were selected as the top seed in the Chapel Hill Regional - the team went 3-0 last season en route to its appearance in the Super Regionals.
Despite being the top seed in a region that also includes the North Carolina and Campbell University, the NCAA selection committee chose the second seed in the region, the Tar Heels, to host the double-elimination regional in order to minimize travel for all teams participating.
"I'm sure the NCAA committee did what they thought was fair, but we are just excited and ready for the opportunity to go up to Carolina and play for a regional championship," said head coach Lu Harris-Champer.
Radford (40-13) is looking to extend one of the most storied seasons in school history. The Big South Conference Champion earned the automatic bid to the NCAA tourney by winning their conference tournament - beating Liberty University 10-1 in the final.
The Highlanders garnered numerous conference awards including Big South Coach of the Year (Mickey Dean), Pitcher of the Year (Chelsea Kelley) and Freshman of the Year (Leigh Godfrey). In all, seven Radford players were selected to various All-Big South teams while featuring five players on the conference's first team.
"I know [Radford] is a very well coached team and they have had a very good season…we are just going to take one game at a time and we are only looking forward to Radford right now," said Harris-Champer.
Radford presents a balanced opponent for Georgia, led by strong pitching from sophomores Kelley (24-7) and Kellie Snooks (11-5). Both players boast an ERA under 3.00 and have contributed to victories over Oregon State and Mississippi State, two teams which handed the Bulldogs losses this season.
On the offensive end, Georgia pitchers Christie Hamilton and Sarah McCloud will have to contend with a lineup that is hitting at a .319 clip as a unit, as well as providing plenty of power with 65 home runs on the year. The Bulldogs will need to keep Godfrey off the base paths (.467 batting average) and avoid making location mistakes to conference first-teamers Kristin Shifflett and Nicole Beall (each with double-digit home runs).
For Georgia, there is some redemption in order for a lineup that was shut out in the SEC Tournament by Kentucky. Sophomores Alisa Goler and Taylor Schlopy are two of the most dangerous hitters in the country, and will need to step up the entire tournament to continue to lead the young Bulldog hitters. The offense has been one of the best in the country all season long and is capable of catching fire at any time at the plate - look for them to try and get off to a hot start in their first game.
Radford is making its first ever NCAA post-season appearance, while Georgia is making its eighth appearance in program history, all consecutively from 2002-2009.
The winner of the Georgia/Radford game will face the winner of the contest between North Carolina and Campbell.
The game is set to start on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Anderson Stadium.
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