Alabama

Alabama Crimson Tide Softball Wins Three of Four in Tuscaloosa Tournament

Published

1 year ago

March 8, 2025

Alabama Crimson Tide Softball Wins Three of Four in Tuscaloosa Tournament

The weekend began with the grand return of former long-time Patrick Murphy assistant Alyson Habetz, as well as her top aide, former All-SEC Crimson Tide catcher Lacey Prejean (2000-2003). Prejean was also director of operations alongside Murphy and Habetz for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The weekend ended with the Tide gifting ULL a win.

GAME 1: ALABAMA 3, ULL 0

After giving up a double to begin the game, Bama starter Jocelyn Briski got the next three out with the second and third outs coming on strikeouts. The Tide sophomore really put on a show. She allowed only three hits and two walks in her first career complete game shutout on 100 pitches.

Habetz learned well from the master and used her own Gut® in opting to start Laffy’s No. 3 pitcher Bethaney Noble. The Rajuns hurler was cruising along until Abby Duchscherer walked to open the 4th inning. After an out, Brooke Ellestad tripled and Marlie Giles homered to left field to give the Tide a 3-0 lead.

Unfortunately, following the round-tripper, the Crimson Tide put their bats back on ice and would not create any more scoring threats. Fortunately, Briski was mowing down Rajuns batters. Outside of those two at-bats, ULL’s Noble was pitching well enough to get a win. Had this been an “off-day” for the Alabama pitching, three runs may have not been enough for the home team to earn the win. Hopefully, we will see more of this kind of performance from Briski.

Audrey Vandagriff stole base No. 28.
No errors!

GAME 2: ALABAMA 12, IOWA 3 (6 Inn. Run Rule)

For the second straight game, the opposing lead-off batter got on base with a double. This time, a run was scored when the next Hawkeyes batter singled. Catelyn Riley would only last 2.2 innings while giving up 3 runs on 5 hits. Emily Winstead pitched the remainder of the game, yielding only a single over 3.1 frames.

For the Bama offense, Michigan native Kali Heivilin went downright medieval on the Big Ten Hawkeyes. Alabama’s only 4-year senior twice went deep and had 6 RBI. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the 1st, Heivilin and Ellestad went back-to-back.

In the top of 3rd, two Iowa singles put runners at second and third bases. A fielding error by Ellestad scored one run and a double scored another to cut the Tide lead to one. It was at this point that Riley was lifted from the game for Winstead.

In the bottom of that frame, Bama got two runs back as Heivilin hit her second round-tripper of the game – a laser missile over the left field fence.

In the bottom of 5th, Riley added another Tide run with a solo shot to left field. But Alabama really put the game away in the 6th. With two outs and nobody on base, Alabama exploded for four runs on a pair of singles, a HBP, a Heivilin triple, and a walk-off run rule home run by Ellestad.

I suppose we can forgive her error. ㋡

The first, second, and fourth Iowa batters each went 2 for 3 and accounted for all of the Hawyeyes’ hits. The rest of the team was a big fat 0-fer with one walk.

Vandagriff stole base No. 29.
Ellestad error.

GAME 3: ALABAMA 5, IOWA 1 – Kendal Clark Senior Day

In the 4th inning, Iowa had a single, walk, and single to open the scoring 1-0.

Alabama answered in the bottom of the inning by scoring 3 runs on 2 hits, a walk and 3 Iowa errors. In that same inning, there was a close play called out at third base. The out was challenged and overturned. The Iowa head coach argued the call and was ejected.

Jocelyn Briski had another fine showing, tossing 5.0 innings and scattering 5 hits and two walks with 1 run allowed.

Freshman Braya Hodges made her second appearance of the season, throwing a 1-2-3 6th inning. Alea Johnson duplicated that feat in the 7th.

Vandagriff stole base No. 30.
No errors.

GAME 4: ULL 4 ALABAMA 3

Vandagriff walked and swiped second base to open the game. A Duchscherer sac fly moved her to third base and Pupillo singled her in. Heivilin singled and Kennedy Marceaux picked up an RBI on a single of her own.

The Gut® opted to start Emily Winstead and probably stuck with her a little too long. In the 3rd inning, the Rajuns put runners at second and third with two outs. The next batter singled the two runners in to tie it up.

In the 4th, ULL again put runners at second and third. At this point, Riley entered the game and gave up a bunt single to give the away team a 3-2 lead.

Laffy scored a fourth run on Heivilin’s second error of the game.

The Tide scored on an error in the 7th but left the bases loaded and snapped their 13 game winning streak.

Vandagriff stole base No. 31.
Four errors: Heivilin (2), Hawkins (2).
The Gut® decided to bench red-hot Ellestad for this game.

NOTES

Curb your enthusiasm, Lollipop Rainbow Unicorns.

The inconsistency of this Alabama pitching staff is mind-boggling. Alea Johnson was lights out all last weekend and then she gets knocked around by Samford. Briski has been sketchy and then tosses a pair of gems. Riley and Winstead are intermittently dominant and rocky.
Ellestad has had some issues with her fielding but it is hard to keep her bat out of the lineup.
Abby Duchscherer cooled off (1 for 8, 1 run).
Marlie Giles (HR, 4 RBI) and Riley Valentine (0 hits, 0 BB, 0 HBP, 0 runs, 0 RBI) shared the catching duties with each starting two games. It is clear who needs to be starting.
Lauren Johnson got one at bat.
Kendal Clark was not so great on her Senior Day. She was hitless (0-6) in two starts over the weekend.
Whenever I see or hear the name “Winstead”, I always picture Mary Elizabeth Winstead (10 Cloverfield Lane, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Grindhouse). And now you will too. You’re welcome.

MVP

HEIVILIN – 5 for 11 (.455), 4 runs, 7 RBI, 3B, 2 HR, 2 BB
ELLESTAD – 6 for 9 (.667), 3 runs, 4 RBI, 3B, 2 HR, 2 BB, SB
BRISKI – 12.0 innings, 8 hits allowed, 1 run, 4 BB, 4 K, 0 WP, 0 HBP, 2 wins

UPCOMING ALABAMA SCHEDULE

MIDWEEK ROAD TRIP

Tuesday, Mar 11 at South Alabama 5pm/6pm Mobile, AL

SPRING BREAK SHOWDOWN

SEC play gets under way with the Bullies (19-3) coming to Tuscaloosa.

Friday, Mar 14 vs Mississippi State 6pm/7pm
Saturday, Mar 15 vs Mississippi State 2pm/3pm
Sunday, Mar 16 vs Mississippi State 1:30/2:30

HOW TO WATCH

¯_(ツ)_/¯ Alabama is not scheduled to have a game televised on regular TV until March 19 vs Florida State. In the meantime, keep shelling out that $12 a month to fill ESPN’s coffers.

#RollTide #Team29

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Alabama

Alabama grocery tax holiday starts May 1

Published

3 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Press Room

Alabama grocery tax holiday starts May 1

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Alabama’s new grocery tax holiday starts May 1 and runs through the end of June.

For the first time since sales tax was created in 1939, shoppers in the state will not pay state tax on groceries.

House Bill 527 became law in early April. For the next three years, Alabamians will get two months without the 2 percent grocery tax.

State representative Mike Shaw added the holiday to the bill that Huntsville representative James Lomax sponsored.

According to the USDA, the average family of four spends around $1,000 a month on groceries. Without the 2 percent tax, that family would save around $40 by the end of the two-month holiday.

“One thing I hear from my constituents all the time is, when are we going to get rid of the grocery tax?” Shaw said. “Because we’re doing it in an incremental way, every step doesn’t sound like a lot. But when you add the 2 percent, we’ve already cut and the 2 percent of the grocery tax holiday, it’s going to be a significant chunk of cash in people’s pockets over time.”

The grocery tax has already been slashed in half since 2023.

Shopper Kelli Taylor said any break helps.

“Last month I could fill my vehicle up for 60 bucks. Last week, it was 93 dollars, so everything’s going up,” Taylor said. “So, to me, any break is a welcomed break, and 2 percent is a lot more than 0 percent, so I’ll take it,” Taylor said.

Alabama is one of only eight states that still has a grocery tax. Shaw said lawmakers will keep pushing toward eliminating it entirely.

An important part is making sure the Education Trust Fund (ETF) can handle it, which has lost millions of dollars of grocery tax funding since the cuts.

The holiday only applies to the state tax. Local city and county sales taxes on food remain in effect.

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Alabama

Alabama names first state AI officer to coordinate agency efforts

Published

15 hours ago

April 30, 2026

Press Room

Alabama names first state AI officer to coordinate agency efforts

Alabama AI officer Aaron Wright began work Monday April 27 as the state’s first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, a newly created position housed within the Alabama Office of Information Technology.

Wright, who has more than 25 years of experience in health care and state government technology, most recently served as AOIT’s director of application development. He also led the Data Management and Ownership working group within the governor’s Generative AI Task Force.

Wright said in a statement that AI adoption across state agencies has already been underway through informal coordination, and the new role is designed to build on that foundation.

“AI is no longer a future technology; it is here now,” Wright said. “It has become integrated into existing tool sets, and people are using AI tools and platforms throughout their day to enhance and streamline their work.”

He described the position as collaborative rather than regulatory.

“The CAIO position is not intended to be a gatekeeper or a blocker of innovation for Alabama’s agencies,” Wright said, calling it “an advocate, a facilitator, and, when needed, a voice of caution” as agencies adopt AI tools.

Secretary of Information Technology Daniel Urquhart said Wright’s background “positions Alabama to thoughtfully and effectively harness artificial intelligence in ways that can improve outcomes for our agencies and the people we serve.”

Wright said his first priority is creating a shared environment for agencies to compare notes on AI adoption, and that early projects include an AI chatbot for the OIT website.

“Residents should see government services that are simpler, faster and more reliable,” Wright said, including “shorter wait times, more intuitive digital experiences, and better access to information when and where they need it.”

Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].

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Alabama

Summer Alabama forecast. See what AccuWeather predicts for heat, storms

Published

1 day ago

April 30, 2026

Press Room

Summer Alabama forecast. See what AccuWeather predicts for heat, storms

Alabama faces a summer of intense heat, high humidity, and occasional strong storms, with El Niño influencing shifts across the Southeast weather pattern.

While conditions will vary across the state, AccuWeather forecasters expect heat to dominate statewide. At the same time, storm and flooding risks will be concentrated in specific parts of Alabama as the season progresses.

Here’s what Alabama residents can expect for summer 2026.

Heat and Humidity to dominate Alabama summer 2026

Heat is expected to be the defining feature of the season, with much of Alabama likely to see near- or above-normal temperatures.

Even when highs are typical for late June or July, humidity will push “feels-like” temperatures significantly higher, especially in central and southern Alabama.

That means:

More frequent 90-degree days.
Oppressive humidity across the state.
Warm overnight lows that offer little relief.

As a result, energy demand is also expected to rise as residents rely heavily on air conditioning during extended hot stretches.

Alabama summer storms 2026

Unlike some summers with almost daily thunderstorms, 2026 is expected to feature more distinct periods of storm activity, rather than storms developing continuously throughout the season. These storm-active windows will vary by region in the state.

Storm timing breaks down like this:

Upper to central Alabama: Peak thunderstorm activity in June and July.
Southern Alabama: July into August becomes the more active window.

Derecho Risk focused in northern Alabama

One of the more significant severe weather concerns this summer is the potential for derecho events across northern Alabama.

AccuWeather forecasters are highlighting a moderate risk zone in the upper part of the state, where fast-moving lines of thunderstorms could organize during peak summer instability.

These systems are rare but capable of producing widespread damage when they form.

Will there be drought relief in Alabama?

Flooding risks this summer are not widespread, but they are highly localized in two areas that will need close attention during heavy events.

The main flood-prone zones are the upper western and lower eastern corners of the state. Elsewhere, flooding risk stays within the norm for summer storms.

Bottom line: Don’t expect too much relief this summer.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.

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