Thursday, May 20, 2010

MACON, Ga. – The 2010 NCAA Softball Tuscaloosa Regionals begin Friday with a matchup between Lipscomb and UAB at 3:30 p.m. CT. at the Alabama Softball Complex.

The University of Alabama will serve as host during the three-day event, as the double-elimination tournament also features a matchup between No. 1 Alabama and Alcorn State at 6 p.m. CT.

Lipscomb claimed its first Atlantic Sun Conference Softball Championship crown after defeating USC Upstate, 11-0, in five innings on Saturday. The Lady Bisons enter NCAA postseason play with a 48-11 overall mark (18-2 in the A-Sun), just one win short of the all-time program record for wins set during the NAIA era under coach Andy Lane in 1997.

During regular season play, Lipscomb and UAB split a doubleheader in Nashville on April 20, as sophomore Whitney Kiihnl tallied her fifth no-hitter in a 1-0 shutout, her 11th, during the first game. Mollie Mitchell paced the Lady Bisons from the plate in the second game as the sophomore collected three hits in four at bats, including two home runs and three RBIs. In the two games against the Blazers, Mitchell picked up five hits in seven at bats. The Lady Bisons lead the all-time series, 5-2.

Out of the league’s top hitters, in terms of batting average, the Lady Bisons boast five in the top 10 (Courtney Billington, Kiihnl, Kellie Sirus, Mitchell and Abby Keese). This core has the task of leading the team to its first NCAA win, in addition to the A-Sun’s first regional victory since 2008.

T he Blazers feature two pitchers averaging less than two earned runs per game. C-USA's Freshman of the Year, Lauren Webster, owns a 1.77 ERA and 17-5 overall record. The Mathews, Ala., product was a perfect 7-0 in league play this season and held opponents to a .200 batting average.

In the nation, Lipscomb ranks first in ERA (1.27), 10th in W-L percentage (.814), 12th in batting average (.323), 16th in fielding percentage (.974), 27th in slugging percentage (.475), 36th in scoring (5.41), 40th in home runs per game (.95).

NCAA Championship Info: Interactive Bracket

Tuscaloosa Regional Information: Live Stats/Video/Blog

Tuscaloosa Regional Press Conference: Quotes

Purchase Tickets: Tuscaloosa Regionals

Stadium Information: Alabama Softball Complex

Follow the Lady Bisons: LipscombSports.com

The Lady Bisons’ Championship Celebration Video

Atlantic Sun Insider Blog: Dance Dance

Nashville’s FOX 17: Lipscomb Softball Makes History

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.