TROY ? The Troy Trojan softball team will host the University of Alabama (No. 2/No. 3) on Thursday night at 7:30 pm at the Troy Softball Complex.
Troy (25-17, 9-6 SBC) enters the game after a disappointing weekend at Florida Atlantic. The Trojans started off the series in a strong way with a 4-0 win in game one, but dropped the last two games, including a 2-1 11-inning loss on Sunday.
The Crimson Tide (35-3, 15-2 SEC) enters as the SEC leader and as the number two team in the country. Alabama is making just their third trip ever to Troy, having visited in 2002 and 2005.
“There is no question that the University of Alabama will be our strongest challenge this season and will be the highest ranked team to visit our complex. It will be a difficult challenge for our young squad,” head coach Melanie Davis said.
The two previous times the teams have played in Troy have represented the first and fourth highest attended games in Trojan history.
“Several times they dodged a bullet including us taking them to extra innings. Hopefully our young team will be up for the challenge,” Davis said.
The Trojans are led offensively by Courtney Davis (Pascagoula, Miss.) with a .342 batting average. Davis has recorded 21 extra base hits, including nine home runs with 29 RBI's.
Leading the team on the mound is Ashlyn Williams (Hattiesburg, Miss.) with a 1.56 ERA. Williams (20-10) has struck out 198 in 211.1 innings of work.
Troy is 0-10 all-time against the Crimson Tide, including a 5-0 loss last season in Tuscaloosa. The last time Alabama visited the Troy Softball Complex they defeated the Trojans 5-1, with the Crimson Tide holding a No. 6 ranking.
First pitch for Thursday night's game is set for 7:30 pm. Admission to all home softball games is free.
