Alabama's No. 3-ranked softball team is the sort that comes right at you, year-in, and year-out.
Tennessee plans on going right back at the Crimson Tide, starting with feisty leadoff hitter Kelly Grieve.
"These teams will fight and scratch for runs any way they can,'' Grieve said, summing up the Lady Vols rivalry with Alabama. "It's gonna be competitive, but we know we can beat anybody. We just need to bring the right mindset.''
Friday's game between the Tide (43-8, 19-6 SEC) and No. 15 UT (37-13-1, 12-10-1) starts at 6 p.m. at Lee Stadium (Radio: 990-AM, 99.1-FM, 99.3-FM).
"Ever since we've been in the league, Alabama has been regarded as the Yankees of college softball,'' said UT co-head coach Ralph Weekly, who starts one senior compared to the Tide's five. "This is a hitting team that comes at you one through nine.''
And once the Tide gets on, they keep coming, stealing a national-high 151 bases this season.
Weekly said he looks forward to seeing Grieve meet the challenge tonight and Saturday (1 p.m. doubleheader).
In addition to having the second-highest batting average on the team (.384), the sophomore outfielder leads UT with 33 stolen bases in 36 attempts. The Lady Vols' record (44) is held by Kenora Posey (2008) and India Chiles (2007).
"Coach mentioned something about it, and of course my dad knows every stat,'' said Grieve, who played at Enka High School in Asheville, N.C. "I don't pay attention to that.''
Grieve is far too intense to get caught up in trivial numbers.
After starting 32 games at four different positions last season, Grieve poured herself into her summer travel ball season playing for the New Jersey Breakers.
"I worked extremely hard,'' Grieve said. "You go from hitting .600 in high school and travel ball to .250 or .300 as a freshman, that's a shot at your confidence.
"I've got my confidence back now; I know I can hit anyone.''
Alabama ace Kelsi Dunne, last year's SEC Freshman of the Year, has a 23-2 record with a 1.2 2 ERA, 19 complete games and 11 shutouts.
The Lady Vols have a number of options to counter, including SEC Freshmen of the Year candidates Cat Hosfield and Jessica Spigner.
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Comments » 3
Wayfarer writes:
I've said it before and here it is again...this freshman class is talented and they will be very special before their four years are up. They will surprise teams as tournament time rolls around. They have good attitudes and appear to team focused. Good luck Lady Vols and here's to hoping you go to the World Series this spring.
littleorange writes:
Thanks for your hard work Kelly.......If these girls can get some dependable , quality pitching in the next few years they can be very, very good. Hopefully Ralph and Karen have some recruits on the way to Ktown.
Volunatic writes:
Go Lady Vols!!! Beat bama!
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