University of Washington softball

Tonight the Dawgs take on Georgia in the first round of the College Softball World Series.

Three Huskies, Danielle Lawrie, Jenn Salling and Niki Williams made the NFCA All-America teamfirst team.

The UW Daily ran this preview by Christian Capel about the World Series yesterday:

WASHINGTON (50-7)

It’s pretty simple for the Huskies: If Danielle Lawrie pitches like she has all season, they’re the runaway favorite to win another national championship. And this is where Washington’s offense really came alive in 2009’s postseason run, when Jenn Salling and Niki Williams started knocking the ball all over the yard and the Huskies put up runs at a record pace. Plus, UW is in the weaker half of the bracket, facing a familiar Georgia team in the first round, then playing the winner (assuming the Huskies win) of a game between No. 15 Tennessee and No. 10 Arizona. And the Huskies are 7-1 this year against WCWS teams, the only loss coming in their Pac-10 opener against UCLA.

FLORIDA (48-8)

There wasn’t much of a drop-off for the Gators this year after All-American ace Stacie Nelson graduated. Stephanie Brombacher has stepped quite nicely into the void Nelson left, leading Florida with a 34-6 record and 1.89 ERA. The Gators hit the ball so well, though, all she has to do is be mildly effective. Florida has four players with 15 or more homers, led by the 20 of Francesca Enea. Seven of the nine players in their regular starting lineup are batting over .300. That kind of production can make the difference in Oklahoma City.

Read the rest of the info about the teams at The Daily.