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Leading Off...
We realize it’s been a while since we last updated you on the happenings of softball. Basketball has taken precedent around here, but fear not: We haven’t forgotten about what’s been going on over on the diamond either.
So, let’s get caught up now.
Here’s how the 13 teams fared since we last talked, starting with Wednesday’s games through Sunday:
Week in Review
| Team | W | L | RS | RA | Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | RS | RA | Diff. |
| Alabama | 2 | 2 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| Arkansas | 0 | 3 | 2 | 20 | -18 |
| Auburn | 4 | 0 | 25 | 12 | 13 |
| Florida | 4 | 1 | 35 | 10 | 25 |
| Georgia | 1 | 3 | 20 | 24 | -4 |
| Kentucky | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | -8 |
| LSU | 4 | 0 | 21 | 4 | 17 |
| Missouri | 2 | 1 | 9 | 12 | -3 |
| Ole Miss | 2 | 2 | 15 | 7 | 8 |
| Mississippi State | 2 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| South Carolina | 1 | 2 | 10 | 21 | -11 |
| Tennessee | 5 | 0 | 42 | 7 | 35 |
| Texas A&M | 3 | 0 | 26 | 3 | 23 |
It’s hard to look at this group and not think that Georgia had the most impressive week. The Bulldogs scored 48 runs in five games and won them all, allowing only 12 runs to come across them. They didn’t play many heavyweights, gaining wins over Mercer and two over Delaware State, but their win over Mercer was on the road and they did pick up a win away from home against UCF over the weekend as well. Plus, let’s face it: A run differential of +36 is damn impressive no matter how you slice it.
Georgia hasn’t lost since falling 10-7 to Notre Dame back on February 24 and is one of the hottest teams in the Southeastern Conference. They will look to keep that streak going later this week when they face rival Georgia Tech on Wednesday in Atlanta before beginning conference play with a three-game set against Kentucky.
Speaking of those Wildcats, they too went 5-0 this past week. The ‘Cats grabbed victories over Dayton, Evansville, Drexel and Kent State before squaring off with 15th-ranked Michigan. Kentucky got the best of the Wolverines, winning 5-1, gaining their second win over a ranked team this season (the first came back on February 11 against then-11th-ranked UCLA.
Alabama also was able to finish the week with an unblemished record. The Tide won all four of their games and allowed only three runs in the process. They haven’t lost since all the way back on February 19 when UL Lafayette handed them a 7-0 defeat. In this lengthy win streak -- 17 games and counting to be precise -- ‘Bama’s pitching and defense have both been outstanding. The Crimson Tide have allowed just 12 runs to be scored against them, and have tossed 12 (!!) shutouts. Seems pretty good.
Finally, Florida was the only other team to finish out the week unbeaten. Well, the weekend at least, as UF started a three-game set with Mizzou that concludes Monday night. The Gators picked up two wins, shutting the Tigers out in each contest.
There were plenty of other happenings around the conference as well. Auburn and Ole Miss each picked up three victories over the course of the week with the Rebels scoring 31 runs in their four games played. The Tigers settled for 24 and beat up on Alabama State last Wednesday, winning 14-0.
Tennessee and South Carolina traded blows in conference play with the Vols getting the better of the Gamecocks, winning the series 2-1. Texas A&M and Mississippi State opened up league play against each other also, and it was the Aggies who got the better of the Bulldogs, winning that series 2-1 as well. Unfortunately for Arkansas, they were the only team in the SEC this week to not pick up a victory as they were swept by the Alabama Crimson Tide. There’s always this week, though.
Players of the Week
Player of the Week: Auburn IF Haley Fagan
Pitcher of the Week: Alabama RHP Alexis Osorio
Freshman of the Week: Georgia UT Ciara Bryan