The Southeastern Conference may be hands down the best athletic conference in the nation — and softball is no exception.
With strong returning teams such as No. 6 Georgia, No. 9 Alabama, No. 12 LSU and No. 20 South Carolina, the SEC is primed for another run at the Women’s College World Series.
The Tigers (18-3) defended their No. 12 ranking this past weekend in Columbus, Ga., at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. LSU defeated four teams with higher rankings, including three teams in the Top 10.
All-American senior Kristin Schmidt and freshman Emily Turner (7-1) are the primary pitchers for the Tigers. Schmidt (10-2) returns from an outstanding 2003 campaign, where she went 34-15 with a 1.23 ERA, holding opposing batters to a .187 average.
The Tigers offensively are as good as there is in the SEC. They currently hold a .363 batting average and have hit 26 home runs in only 21 games.
Sophomore first baseman Stephanie Hill leads the Tigers in most offensive categories, including home runs (6), batting average (.459), slugging percentage (.836) and hits (28).
The Tigers begin SEC play this week, as they host Mississippi State at Tiger Park.
The Georgia Bulldogs, the 2003 SEC regular-season champions, are led by junior pitcher Michelle Green. Green (6-1 this season), returns from an impressive 2003 campaign (39-8) that saw her start 46 games, allowing opposing batters to a .163 batting average while striking out 407.
On the offensive side, senior outfielder Nicole Barber and junior infielder Kim Wendland return to provide power for the Bulldogs’ lineup. Last season Barber led the Bulldogs with a .415 average with Wendland closely following at a .346 mark. This season, both are hitting above .400 with Wendland having already hit a team-high five home runs.
The Bulldogs (12-4), who are the preseason coaches’ choice as SEC champion, expect to be one of the Tigers’ biggest threats in the SEC. The two met this past weekend in the NFCA Leadoff Classic, with LSU winning 5-2. The teams will play three more regular-season games this season on March 20 and 21 at Tiger Park.
The Alabama Crimson Tide, last season’s lone SEC representative at the WCWS, is the coaches’ pick as the preseason Western Division champion, ahead of LSU.
The Tide are led by senior first baseman Jacki McClain. McClain, a lifetime .389 hitter and three-time All-American, has guided the Tide to a 11-3 record this season and a Top 10 ranking. She is batting .395 this year, with two home runs and a team-high .632 slugging percentage.
Alabama defeated LSU in the 2003 SEC Tournament championship game, en route to their second WCWS appearance.
Senior right hander Erin Wright is the focal point of the Tide defense. Wright (5-1) is holding opposing batters to a .156 batting average this season, while maintaining an ERA of 0.90.
The Tide and LSU will meet three times this season in Tuscaloosa on March 27 and 28.
South Carolina, who fell two games short of a WCWS berth last year, is poised this season to make a strong run for the SEC crown and a trip to Oklahoma City.
USC (11-2) is led by a dominating pitching staff that has maintained a 0.44 ERA through the beginning stages of the 2003 season. Stacey Johnson, Aleca Johnson and Melanie Henkes provide the depth in the circle, with Johnson leading the rotation in wins with five.
Senior outfielder Nancy Crane leads the team in batting average (.385) and hits (15). While Crane supplies the hits, senior third baseman Samantha Jennings provides the power. Jennings has slugged five home runs this season as well as recording a team-high 11 RBIs.
USC will face LSU in a three-game series on March 13 and 14 at Tiger Park.
The 2004 SEC Tournament will be at the Crimson Tide Softball Complex in Tuscaloosa May 13-16.