Tag: Alabama softball

Alabama softball lands just outside top 10 in preseason ESPN rankings

Here’s where Patrick Murphy’s 2025 team ranks in ESPN/USA Softball’s preseason Top 25.

The Alabama Crimson Tide softball team is preparing for its 2025 season opener in Tucson, Ariz., at the annual Candrea Classic.

Alabama is scheduled to open the season against the Washington Huskies on Feb. 7. They’re also scheduled to face the Michigan State Spartans, Western Michigan Broncos and host Arizona Wildcats at the tournament.

With less than two weeks until the season begins, ESPN and USA Softball recently unveiled their preseason Top 25 rankings. Patrick Murphy’s Crimson Tide were ranked No. 11, one spot behind No. 10 Texas Tech and one spot ahead of No. 12 Florida State.

Alabama was also ranked No. 11 in Softball America’s preseason Top 25 poll, released earlier this month on Jan. 13.

In ESPN’s poll, the Texas Longhorns were ranked preseason No. 1, followed by the Florida Gators at No. 2. The four-time reigning national champion Oklahoma Sooners were ranked No. 3, followed by No. 4 Oklahoma State and No. 5 Tennessee to round out the top five.

A total of 11 SEC teams were ranked in ESPN’s preseason poll, including six in the top 10. Texas A&M was No. 7, followed by LSU at No. 9. With Alabama at No. 11, Arkansas (No. 13), Georgia (No. 14), Missouri (No. 15), and Mississippi State (No. 25) were also ranked in the top 25.

Alabama finished 39-20 overall in 2024, a season that included the program’s 15th trip to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. The Crimson Tide swept their on-site regional at Rhoads Stadium before rallying past No. 3 Tennessee in the Knoxville Super Regional. Alabama was eliminated by Florida in the WCWS.

The Crimson Tide ended the 2024 season ranked No. 8 in the final USA TODAY Sports/NFCA Coaches Poll.

First pitch for Alabama’s season opener against Washington is listed as 10:30 a.m. CT from Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

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Where Alabama ranks in preseason Softball America Top 25 poll

Patrick Murphy’s team is ranked just outside the Top 10.

Less than a month remains until the Alabama Crimson Tide softball team takes the field in Tucson, Ariz.

That’s where Patrick Murphy will begin his 26th season as Alabama softball coach when the Crimson Tide open the season against the Washington Huskies at the Candrea Classic on Feb. 7.

On Monday, Softball America unveiled its preseason Top 25 poll. Alabama is ranked No. 11, one spot behind the Florida State Seminoles at No. 10 and one spot ahead of the LSU Tigers at No. 12.

The SEC dominated the Top 25 with 10 ranked teams total, including the preseason No. 1 team: the Florida Gators. That Patty Gasso’s four-time defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners aren’t ranked No. 1 is news in and of itself.

Oklahoma is No. 3 behind the Gators and No. 2 Texas Longhorns. Oklahoma State (No. 4) and UCLA (No. 5) rounded out the top five.

A season ago, Alabama advanced to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City for the 15th time in school history. They finished 39-20 overall and 10-14 in SEC play, completing a 3-0 sweep at their on-site regional at Rhoads Stadium before defeating No. 3 Tennessee, 4-1, in a winner-take-all Game 3 at the Knoxville Super Regional. Alabama was eliminated by Florida in the WCWS.

First pitch for the Crimson Tide’s season opener against Washington is listed as 10:30 a.m. CT at Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama news and notes, plus opinions. 

Alabama Softball lands commitment from Mississippi State transfer Salen Hawkins

The Alabama softball program added a commitment from Mississippi State transfer infielder Salen Hawkins on Monday.

The Alabama Crimson Tide softball program added some talent to its roster via the transfer portal. On Monday, the Crimson Tide landed a commitment from Mississippi State transfer infielder Salen Hawkins. Hawkins announced the news via her Instagram account.

Hawkins spent one season in Starkville. The native of Phoenix, Arizona made 52 starts for the Bulldogs at second base. Hawkins amassed a .294 batting average to go along with three home runs and 26 runs batted in. In addition, she held a .382 slugging percentage and a .338 on-base percentage.

With Alabama losing starting middle infielder Kenleigh Cahalan to Florida, there is a strong chance that Hawkins will come in and compete for immediate playing time in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide could surely use a sure-handed middle infielder that can get on base consistently. Hawkins fits the profile for Patrick Murphy’s squad. This is a nice addition to the roster for Alabama.

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Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama softball program and its efforts in the transfer portal.

Alabama Softball loses starting shotstop to SEC powerhouse

The Alabama softball program took a major hit to its roster following the departure of starting shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan. The Alabama native has decided to transfer to Florida.

The Alabama Crimson Tide softball program lost one of its best players several weeks ago to the transfer portal. On Saturday, Kenleigh Cahalan announced that she was transferring to the Florida Gators.

Cahalan was a key piece of Alabama’s roster over the last two seasons. The native of Trussville, Alabama made 67 starts as a true freshman. Most of those starts were at shortstop. She amassed a .284 batting average to go along with seven home runs and 31 runs batted in.

As a sophomore, Cahalan made 59 starts for the Crimson Tide. She was an intricate piece of an Alabama roster that made it to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series. Cahalan held a .296 batting average with two home runs and 30 runs batted in as a sophomore.

There is no denying the fact that Cahalan’s absence will be one that will loom large in Tuscaloosa. She will be difficult to replace as a hitter and fielder. Plus, she has two years of eligibility remaining. Alabama will likely have to face Cahalan and the Gators in the future, which will make for an intriguing matchup.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama softball program.

Longtime Alabama softball assistant Alyson Habetz gets head coaching job

After more than 25 years in Tuscaloosa, Alyson Habetz returns home!

After 26 seasons in Tuscaloosa, Alabama Crimson Tide softball associate head coach Alyson Habetz has left the program to take the head coaching job with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.

Habetz joined the Alabama coaching staff in 1998 and along with head coach [autotag]Patrick Murphy[/autotag], has been the face of one of the most dominant softball programs in the country.

During her tenure, Habetz has helped lead the Tide to 14 Women’s College World Series appearances, including its first national championship in 2012, along with six SEC regular season titles and five SEC Tournament titles.

Habetz now returns to her old stomping grounds in Lafayette, Louisiana where she played softball and basketball.

In 2006, Habetz was inducted into the Louisiana High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. She also is enshrined in the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Sports Hall of Fame, where she was inducted in 2003.

Habetz will certainly be missed in Tuscaloosa but we wish her the best of luck and thank her for her years of service to the University of Alabama.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Alabama Softball adds commitment from Ole Miss transfer pitcher Catelyn Riley

On Thursday, the Alabama softball program picked up a commitment from Ole Miss transfer pitcher Catelyn Riley.

The Alabama Crimson Tide softball program picked up a commitment from Ole Miss transfer pitcher Catelyn Riley on Thursday.

Riley spent three seasons with the Rebels. The native of Dandridge, Tennessee holds a 24-18 record over the course of her college career. She has pitched 267.1 innings and has struck out 171 batters.

Riley’s best season in the circle came as a true freshman. She finished the season with a 12-4 record and a 4.44 earned run average. Since then, Riley has struggled. Since her freshman campaign, Riley has a 12-14 record with a 2.75 earned run average.

A change of scenery could have been the best option for Riley. In the past, Alabama has been able to develop pitchers. It seems like a win-win situation for both Riley and the Crimson Tide. In all likelihood, she will be a key pitcher in Alabama’s pitching rotation for the 2025 season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama softball program.

Alabama Softball shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Alabama shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan has entered the transfer portal just one day after the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season.

The Alabama Crimson Tide softball program lost one of its starters to the transfer portal on Monday. Sophomore shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan became the first scholarship player to enter the transfer portal.

Cahalan spent two years in Tuscaloosa. The native of Trussville, Alabama made 126 starts for the Crimson Tide. As a freshman, Cahalan made 67 starts, primarily at shortstop. She held a .284 batting average to go along with seven home runs and 31 runs batted in.

As a sophomore, Cahalan maintained .296 batting average with two home runs and 30 runs batted in.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama softball program.

Alabama softball eliminated from Women’s College World Series

Alabama softball’s 2024 season comes to an end with a 6-4 loss to the Florida Gators in the WCWS

Patrick Murphy and the Alabama Crimson Tide softball will be heading back to Tuscaloosa following Sunday’s disappointing 6-4 loss in the Women’s College World Series to the Florida Gators.

The Gators held a 3-2 edge over the Crimson Tide entering the sixth inning but a three-run homerun by Jocelyn Erickson pushed Florida ahead 6-2. Alabama would answer with two runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to 6-4 with one inning remaining.

Alabama was unable to make a rally in the final inning, as the Gators advance to take on the Oklahoma Sooners and the Tide see their 2024 season come to an end.

Murphy and the Tide finish the season with a 39-20 overall record.

Alabama softball to take on SEC rival Florida in WCWS elimination game on Sunday

Will Alabama softball keep its WCWS hopes alive on Sunday against the Florida Gators?

Patrick Murphy will lead the Alabama Crimson Tide softball team into an elimination matchup on Sunday against SEC rival Florida Gators at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

After dropping game one in OKC, the Crimson Tide defeated the Duke Blue Devils on Friday night. The Gators however won their first matchup at the WCWS against Oklahoma State before getting run-ruled by the top-ranked Texas Longhorns on Saturday night.

While the loser of Alabama vs. Florida will be eliminated, the winner will move on the face the Oklahoma Sooners with both the Tide and Gators needing two wins over the Sooners to advance to the WCWS Championship Series.

How to watch Alabama softball vs. Florida softball in Women’s College World Series

  • Date: Sunday, June 2, 2024
  • Location: Devon Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Time: 2 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: ABC
  • Live Stream: FuboTV (Watch Here)

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover the Alabama softball team as the postseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Top photos from Alabama softball’s win over No. 10 Duke in WCWS elimination game

Alabama softball’s 2024 season stays alive after the Crimson Tide defeated No. 10 Duke in a Women’s College World Series elimination game.

Despite a rocky 2024 regular season, the Alabama Crimson Tide softball team has made it to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series. After falling to the UCLA Bruins in the opening round, the Crimson Tide fought hard to take down the No. 10 Duke Blue Devils in a win-or-go-home elimination game with a final score of 2-1.

Alabama’s lack of offense throughout the season has resulted in the Crimson Tide being comfortable in low-scoring contests, relying heavily on defense and consistent pitching.

A late solo home run by Marlie Giles was the difference-maker that broke the tie and put Alabama up by one run.

Alabama will next play on Sunday against the loser of the Florida Gators vs. the Texas Longhorns in another must-win game that will end one team’s season.

Before looking ahead to the next game, relive the excitement from the Crimson Tide’s win over Duke.

Photos from Alabama softball’s win over Duke in the WCWS