Alabama_Crimson_Tide_softball

Alabama Crimson Tide softball

Alabama Crimson Tide softball

College softball team

The Alabama Crimson Tide softball team represents the University of Alabama in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). It is currently led by head coach Patrick Murphy and assistant coaches Lance McMahon and Kayla Braud. The team plays its home games at the Rhoads Stadium located on the university's campus. The Alabama Crimson Tide softball team won its first national championship in 2012, after they defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in the championship series of the Women's College World Series.

Quick Facts University, Athletic director ...

History

On September 28, 1995, Alabama athletics director Glen Tuckett announced the school would sponsor a softball program to begin play in the 1997 season.[2] At the time of its addition, softball became both the 20th varsity sport overall and 11th women's sport sponsored at Alabama.[2] On January 3, 1996, Kalum Haack was hired from Kansas to serve as the first head coach for the team.[3] The next spring, Haack recruited his first class for the inaugural 1997 team.[3] On February 15, 1997, Alabama defeated Tulsa 5–2 in their first all-time game at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.[4] Two weeks later, the Crimson Tide won their first all-time home game in their home opener at Sokol Park against Delta State 4–3.[5]

After he led the Crimson Tide in their inaugural season and to their first SEC championship in their second season, on June 30, 1998, Haack resigned as head coach.[6] He cited personal reasons for his resignation.[6] During his two-year stint as head coach, Haack compiled an overall record of 78 wins and 47 losses (78–47).[6] A week later on July 9, Alabama assistant coach Patrick Murphy was promoted to the Crimson Tide's head coach position.[7]

Since Murphy took over in 1999, the Crimson Tide has won 12 SEC championships (6 regular season and 6 tournaments), made 17 consecutive NCAA tournaments (every year since 1999) and have advanced to the Women's College World Series ten times.[8][9] In 2012, Alabama defeated the Oklahoma Sooners, 2 games to 1, in the championship series of the Women's College World Series, to win its first national championship in school history and the first softball national championship in the history of the SEC.[10]

A Crimson Tide softball player takes the field before a game at Rhoads Stadium

Head coaches

More information Name, Years ...

Year-by-year records

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NCAA Tournament seeding history

National seeding began in 2005. The Alabama Crimson Tide are one of only two teams to have a national seed every year, along with Tennessee.

More information Years →, '05 ...

Awards and honors

National awards

NFCA National Pitcher of the Year
Softball America Pitcher of the Year
  • Montana Fouts (2023)
D1Softball Pitcher of the Year
  • Montana Fouts (2021)
Honda Sports Award
  • Montana Fouts (2023)

Conference awards

SEC Player of the Year
SEC Pitcher of the Year
  • Stephanie VanBrakle (2006)
  • Kelsi Dunne (2010, 2011)
  • Jackie Traina (2012, 2014)
  • Sarah Cornell (2019)
  • Montana Fouts (2021)
SEC Freshman of the Year
  • Lacy Prejean (2000)
  • Jackie McClain (2001)
  • Stephanie VanBrakle (2003)
  • Brittany Rogers (2006)
  • Kelsi Dunne (2008)
  • Amanda Locke (2009)
  • Kayla Braud (2010)
  • Alexis Osorio (2015)
  • Montana Fouts (2019)

Alabama's Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Americans

More information Player, Year(s) ...

†Denotes 1st Team selection

See also

References

General
  • 2012 University of Alabama Softball Media Guide (PDF). Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Communications Office. 2012. p. 71. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
Specific
  1. [1]
    "Alabama Crimson Tide Logo Sheet" (PDF). June 28, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  2. [2]
    "Bama will sponsor women's softball program". The Tuscaloosa News. September 29, 1995. p. C4. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  3. [3]
    "Haack to direct Bama softball". The Tuscaloosa News. January 4, 1996. p. C3. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  4. [4]
    "Tide softball team opens season with win". The Tuscaloosa News. February 16, 1997. p. C8. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  5. [5]
    Deas, Tommy (February 28, 1997). "Alabama softball team triumphs in home opener". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  6. [6]
    Deas, Tommy (July 1, 1998). "Bama softball coach Kalum Haack resigns". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  7. [7]
    Deas, Tommy (July 10, 1998). "Murphy takes over Bama softball". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  8. [8]
    "Tide softball season ends with loss to ASU, 3–1". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations - RollTide.com. June 1, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  9. [9]
    "Alabama softball falls to Florida 6–5, ending its Women's College World Series run". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations - RollTide.com. May 31, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
  10. [10]
    Hays, Graham (June 7, 2012). "Alabama's title a milestone for SEC". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  11. [11]
    2012 University of Alabama Softball Media Guide, p. 50
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