Alabama

Looking Back at an Unusual Season for Alabama Softball

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2022

Looking Back at an Unusual Season for Alabama Softball

The metaphorical mud nonetheless hasn’t settled from Alabama softball’s season. The bodily dust from the Rhoads Stadium area would possibly nonetheless be in just a few cleats and on just a few luggage too after the Crimson Tide’s early exit from the NCAA Event by the hands of the Stanford Cardinal within the Tuscaloosa Regional.

The 2022 Alabama softball workforce had thrilling moments with a number of top-10 wins, an ideal recreation, no-hitter, comebacks and walk-offs. Group 26 was additionally answerable for some not as optimistic firsts like the primary workforce since 1999 to not win a recreation on the SEC Event, and the primary to not make the Tremendous Regionals for the reason that format change in 2005. Although it had flashes of brilliance, the offense turned ice chilly by the tip of the season which in the end result in the elimination from the event.

“I feel our workforce protection was the very best it’s been in years,” stated Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy. “The pitching employees up and down was good. And I feel our hitters are gonna get higher as they become older, as a result of they should expertise the crud look to the good things.”

Whereas issues appear to only be raring up for a wild offseason in Tuscaloosa, it is time to look again and what went proper and what went mistaken within the 2022 season.

Scorching Begin

Alabama got here out with scorching bats, actually. The Crimson Tide opened the season out within the dessert on the Candrea Basic in Arizona. On opening weekend the Crimson Tide hit 10 residence runs and scored 37 runs over the 4 video games with two run-rule victories.

Murphy dislikes the phrase expectations and all that will include it, however Alabama was residing as much as its preseason expectations as a top-two workforce within the nation with a proficient roster led by two of the very best pitchers within the nation.

As soon as the bats left the warmth and dry air of the dessert, the balls stayed within the yard just a little extra, however Alabama nonetheless had eight run-rule video games within the 20-0 begin to the season.

The offense confirmed it was greater than able to backing aces Montana Fouts and Lexi Kilfoyl in offering run assist. And each pitchers proved they might go toe to toe with a few of the greatest aces across the nation with wins over Virginia Tech’s Keely Rochard and Emma Lemley on the Easton Bama Bash in February in again to again pitchers duels. The Hokies would go on to win the ACC common season title and earn the No. 3 seed within the NCAA Event.

One other spotlight of the non-conference schedule was the Crimson Tide selecting up six wins throughout 4 day on the Mardi Gras Mambo in Louisiana. By means of the primary 4 weeks of the season, Alabama was persistently ranked No. 2 behind solely Oklahoma within the polls.

Alabama Softball Twitter

Regular Keep

After the 20-0 begin in non-conference play, Alabama obtained a little bit of a punch within the mouth when SEC play began with a collection at LSU. Not solely did the Tigers hand Alabama its first loss, however additionally they took the collection from the Crimson Tide.

Alabama misplaced a tricky midweek recreation in opposition to then No. 3 Florida State 6-5. The Crimson Tide then bounced again with collection wins in its subsequent 5 SEC collection together with sweeps over South Carolina and Mississippi State.

With that kind of consistency within the hardest convention in faculty softball, Alabama stayed within the prime 5 of all of the nationwide polls throughout this stretch.

Fouts was giving up extra runs than she was used to in her Alabama profession, however the offense was nonetheless placing up sufficiently big numbers to win collection weekend after weekend. Together with her excellent recreation in opposition to Georgia on April 4 and eight-inning, one-run efficiency in opposition to Florida on April 10, Kilfoyl was displaying she may develop into the Friday/Sunday starter if Fouts continued to battle in SEC play.

The Crimson Tide got here away with a giant street collection win at Florida and nonetheless stood in good place to win the SEC common season title and earn a excessive nationwide seed within the postseason. The offense began to point out indicators of a battle in opposition to Mississippi State at residence, however a powerful comeback within the recreation two of the collection to erase a five-run deficit over the ultimate two innings capped by a Megan Bloodwork walk-off hit.

Scroll to Proceed

Megan Bloodworth walk-off Mississippi State — Alabama Athletics

From March 11 (begin of SEC play) to April 19 (doubleheader in opposition to North Alabama and Alcorn State), Alabama went 18-6 and averaged 5.3 runs per recreation on offense. Within the circle, Fouts was beginning to discover her groove with all three wins within the Mississippi State collection, whereas solely permitting one earned run all weekend. Redshirt freshman pitcher Alex Salter was getting in on the motion together with her first no-hitter in opposition to Alabama State on March 29, and Kilfoyl made a return from harm to pitch within the April 19 doubleheader.

Heading into the ultimate collection of April, Alabama was 38-6 total and 13-5 within the SEC with nice positioning proper behind Arkansas to compete for the common season crown.

Sluggish Decline

The best way Alabama’s schedule was arrange, the ultimate two SEC collection of the 12 months would have a bye weekend sandwiched in between with a midweek street journey to Western Kentucky. The ultimate seven video games on common season schedule have been all winnable.

First up was a collection at SEC bottom-dweller Texas A&M. As a substitute of sweeping the collection, Alabama misplaced a convention collection for the primary time since opening weekend in opposition to LSU. In recreation two , Alabama obtained run-ruled 9-1 for the primary time, however bounced again to take recreation three to salvage a recreation on the weekend. The run-rule loss ended up being the final time Kilfoyl pitched on the season.

Issues obtained worse for the midweek matchup at Western Kentucky the place the Hilltoppers jumped on the board with three runs within the first inning, and the Alabama offense was shut out via the primary six innings, finally shedding 3-1. As a substitute of appearing like they’d one thing to show after shedding the collection at A&M, the offense sputtered in opposition to a a lot much less proficient mid-major workforce.

The bye weekend got here at a much-needed time after the losses, plus some journey snafus for the journeys to Texas and Kentucky. Nevertheless, popping out of the bye, issues weren’t a lot better for the offense. Alabama misplaced the collection opener to Missouri at residence. Group 26 responded to win the following two to take the collection, however the offense struggled to string collectively consecutive hits or accumulate hits with runners in scoring place.

Group 26 went on to be the primary workforce in Patrick Murphy’s tenure to lose its opening recreation on the SEC Event when Fouts needed to face that Tiger workforce for the fourth time in a row, and the offense obtained shutout for the primary time.

Although the workforce was excited heading into the postseason, the tip of the common season was an indication of what was to return in postseason for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama opened regional play with a win over Chattanooga, however obtained shut out by Stanford on Saturday morning which compelled the Crimson Tide to the loser’s bracket in Regionals for the primary time since 2007.

And Group 26 did battle all the best way out of the loser’s bracket to drive a winner take all regional championship recreation, however Fouts ran out of gasoline after throwing greater than 400 pitches on the weekend, and the offense was shut out for the second time in as many days.

Patrick Murphy and Montana Fouts at 2022 Tuscaloosa Regional — Alabama Athletics

Over the ultimate 13 video games of the season, Alabama went 6-7, scoring simply 2.4 runs per recreation together with the three shutouts. This resulted within the season-ending loss to Stanford which saved Alabama out of the Tremendous Regional spherical for the primary time ever.

Throughout this stretch, Ashley Prange was the one constant bat within the lineup and a number of gamers have been going via prolonged slumps on the plate. General on the season, Prange and fellow switch Ally Shipman led the workforce in common, hits, doubles and have been tied for second with eight residence runs. Shipman was the workforce chief with 46 RBIs, however solely had three complete over the past 16 video games of the season.

Alabama completed the season with a 44-13 report, and is in a particularly uncommon place for this system. For the final 17 years, the Crimson Tide has nonetheless been taking part in into the final weekend of Could with many 12 months bleeding over into June on the Ladies’s Faculty World Sequence. Murphy known as it a bizarre feeling to be carried out this early, however stated his workforce will use it as motivation transferring ahead.

“I am excited concerning the future as a result of we’ve got a bunch of individuals coming again, and we’ve got three actually good freshmen coming,” Murphy stated.

Source link

Click to comment

Alabama

Former Alabama players reflect on Ohio State national championship

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

Former Alabama players reflect on Ohio State national championship

Even with a foot in a boot due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, Ohio State’s Seth McLaughlin stood on a chair in celebration. A cigar in his mouth, the former Alabama football center took the moment in, enjoying the national title the Buckeyes had won.

“Feels good,” McLaughlin shouted through the giddy yells and rap music. “Feels great.”

McLaughlin didn’t play in the 34-23 win over Notre Dame due to the injury he suffered late in the Buckeye season. Still, he used the season in Columbus to rebuild his confidence, and the night in Atlanta was a perfect ending.

Fitting for him and his Ohio State teammates, whose season was in question when they fell in in the regular season finale against Michigan.

“There isn’t a single person in here that hasn’t been doubted by everybody in the country,” McLaughlin said. “It’s just a testament to these guys’ resiliency and just, even to hang on in those final moments, find a way to win.”

Near the entrance to the locker room, McLaughlin’s fellow Alabama transfer, quarterback Julian Sayin, had a black commemorative t-shirt stretched over his shoulder pads. The freshman, who signed with Alabama and participated in Rose Bowl practices after the 2023 season, then transferred to OSU after Saban retired, posed for pictures with his teammates.

Sayin didn’t play in the game, sitting behind Ohio State starter Will Howard. Still, he was thrilled by reaching the college football mountaintop, the first Buckeye title since the 2014 season.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Sayin told AL.com. “Proud of the guys. Will Howard had an amazing game. I was able to learn a lot from him this season, and was really excited to see him do so well.”

Toward the back of the room, still in his game uniform, eyeblack running down his face as his teammates interrupted interviews to celebrate, Caleb Downs sat in a folding chair. Of all the ex-Alabama players now at Ohio State, he’d had the most impact on the field Monday.

Downs finished with five total tackles, playing the game in his home state. Both he and fellow Buford, Ga. native McLaughlin said they were undefeated in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dating back to high school.

“It’s a blessing,” Downs said. “I can’t even describe it. It’s an unreal feeling for me just to come back home. To see my home, my family here, grandparents. And then I saw two of my elementary school teachers here today, like, I can’t describe it.”

Source link

Alabama

Alabama LGBTQ advocates react to Trump’s inaugural comments on gender: ‘Benefits no one’

Published

14 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Alabama LGBTQ advocates react to Trump’s inaugural comments on gender: ‘Benefits no one’

Gay and transgender rights advocates in Alabama and beyond are gearing up for more attacks on LGBTQ rights after newly sworn-in President Donald Trump vowed that under U.S. policy there are “only two genders.”

“We take the remark to be a denial of all trans folks’ lived experiences, especially within the context of expected executive actions,” the Alabama Transgender Rights Action Coalition, said in an email to AL.com. “Science and medicine affirm the existence of a whole spectrum of gender that includes cisgender and transgender people alike. The administration’s stance on this benefits no one, and contradicts widely accepted medical best practice.”

Trump is expected to sign an executive action restricting the government’s definition of gender and sex.

“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” Trump said Monday during his inaugural address, to loud applause.

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., praised Trump’s comments.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for recognizing that there are 2 genders: male and female,” Tuberville said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Now, we need to pass my bill to get men OUT of women’s sports.”

Tuberville reintroduced the bill that would bar transgender athletes from women’s sports earlier this week with numerous co-sponsors, including Alabama’s junior Republican, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt.

The Alabama coalition for transgender rights condemned Tuberville’s remarks.

“Transgender people (including nonbinary folks) exist in Alabama, and many are born here — and we just want to be free to participate in society like everyone else,” the advocacy group said in an email to AL.com. “In the coming years, some politicians will continue to proclaim falsehoods in an effort to distract from issues that they can’t solve without upsetting the interests that fund them. Alabama’s working-class people aren’t helped by the introduction of anti-trans policy, by a rejection of science, or by the embrace of anti-intellectualism.”

An incoming White House official told reporters that Trump will sign an executive action on Monday dictating that the policy of the U.S. is that there are two biologically distinct sexes: male and female, according to NPR.

The sexes are “not changeable,” according to the official, who spoke on background to reporters. The change in definition would apply to documents like passports, visas, and employee records.

Taxpayer funds would not be allowed to be used for “transition services,” according to the report from NPR.

But transgender rights advocates urged caution.

“Today, the Trump Administration is expected to release a barrage of executive actions taking aim at the LGBTQ+ community instead of uniting our country and prioritizing the pressing issues the American people are facing,” said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, in an email to AL.com. “But make no mistake: these actions will not take effect immediately.”

Robinson said the actions “serve no purpose” other than hurting LGBTQ+ families and communities.

She said the Trump administration “is trying to divide our communities in the hope that we forget what makes us strong.”

“But we refuse to back down or be intimidated.”

Trump is expected to sign numerous executive actions Monday, primarily related to immigration.

Source link

Alabama

Alabama Adds Versatile Recruit Mazie Paradis For 2025

Published

22 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Alabama Adds Versatile Recruit Mazie Paradis For 2025

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Wisconsin LSC Short Course Senior Champion Mazie Paradis has committed to continuing her swimming career at the University of Alabama in the fall of 2025. Paradis is currently a senior at New Glarus High School and trains with the Verona Area Swim Team.

I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama! I first want to thank my family, coaches & teammates for helping me through this process. I also want to thank the amazing coaching staff at Alabama who have given me this opportunity. ROLL TIDE 🐘❤️🤍

Paradis earned her best 200 IM time of 2:02.99 last month at the Speedo Winter Junior Championship West (SCY) in Austin, Texas. At the meet, she qualified for the 2025 Futures Championship in Madison in four events: the 100 back (55.23), 200 back (1:59.46), 100 fly (55.95), and the 200 IM.

Earlier in the year, in March, Paradis secured her SCY 100 fly personal best of 55.71 at the NCSA Spring Championships in Orlando, Florida. She also set a personal best in another SCY event, the 50 breast, with a time of 29.45. She made it to the finals in both events, which were held in LCM.

Paradis was the 2023 Wisconsin LSC Senior Short Course Champion (SCY) in the 100 IM (56.76) and 100 back (54.68), with her 100 back time remaining her personal best. She was also a finalist in the 200 back (1:59.49), finishing 2nd, the 200 IM (2:04.69), earning 3rd, the 100 fly (56.90), placing 5th, and the 50 back (25.83), where she took 6th.

Paradis set her personal best in the SCY 200 back at the 2023 NCSA Spring Championships in March, finishing 20th overall in the finals with a time of 1:59.22. She also reached the finals in the 50 back (26.17), 100 back (54.85), and 200 IM (2:03.92).

In November 2023, at the IA IFLY A3 Midwest Challenge (SCY) in Iowa City, Paradis set a new personal best in the 50 free with a time of 23.37, placing 2nd. She also made it to the finals in the 100 back (55.37), finishing 2nd, the 200 back (2:00.82), also placing 2nd, the 100 fly (55.83), where she finished 3rd, the 200 IM (2:03.69), earning 2nd, and the 400 IM (4:27.68), where she claimed 1st.

Top SCY Times

50 Free – 23.37
100 Back – 54.68
200 Back – 1:59.22
100 Fly – 55.71
200 IM – 2:02.99

The Alabama women placed 6th out of 12 teams at the SEC Championships last season, down from 4th the previous year. Paradis’s best 200 IM time (2:02.99) could help strengthen the IM group at Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s fastest time last season, 1:58.24, was held by Olympic swimmer Diana Petkova, who competed in the 100 breast and 200 IM at the Tokyo Games, representing Bulgaria. She is currently a graduate student. Paradis is also strong in the 100 back (54.68). The fastest time last season, 52.11, was held by sophomore Ella Menear.

Paradis will join Madyson Hartway, Lili Ratzlaff, Sarah Parker, Isabella Chavez-Varela, and Lolly Milbaum as part of Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class. Chavez-Varela also shows strength in the 200 IM, with a time of 2:00.89.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.