Alabama

No. 10-Ranked Alabama Softball Travels to Jacksonville State Wednesday, Hosts T-Mobile Crimson Classic this Weekend – University of Alabama Athletics

Published

2 years ago

February 27, 2024

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Tenth-ranked ranked Alabama (16-0) will play six games over four days this week, starting with a Wednesday road trip to Jacksonville State before returning to Rhoads Stadium to host the T-Mobile Crimson Classic starting Thursday night against Northern Iowa and continuing Friday and Saturday against South Alabama and No. 19 Arizona.

This Week

Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Jacksonville State – Jacksonville, Ala. – 5 p.m. CT
Thursday, Feb. 29 vs. Northern Iowa – Tuscaloosa, Ala. – 6 p.m. CT
Friday, March 1 vs. South Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Ala. – 4 p.m. CT
Friday, March 1 vs. No. 19/21 Arizona – Tuscaloosa, Ala. – 6:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, March 2 vs. South Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Ala. – 1 p.m. CT
Saturday, March 2 vs. No. 19/21 Arizona – Tuscaloosa, Ala. – 3:30 p.m. CT
Streaming: ESPN+ (Wednesday), SEC Nework+ (Thursday-Saturday)
Radio: The Crimson Tide Sports Network at 97.5 FM in Tuscaloosa | nick975.com

Scouting Alabama

Alabama hits the road for a Wednesday night road game at Jacksonville State before returning home to host the T-Mobile Crimson Classic as the Crimson Tide welcomes Northern Iowa, South Alabama and No. 19/21 Arizona to Rhoads Stadium
The Crimson Tide is 16-0 heading into its fourth week of play, coming off a 5-0 slate at last weekend’s Green & Gold Classic in Birmingham
For her performance last week, fifth-year senior outfielder Jenna Johnson was named the SEC Softball Co-Player of the Week
Alabama has scored first in 14 of its 16 wins, doing so nine times in the first inning
The Tide is ranked as high as No. 10 in this week’s national polls
Alabama returns 15 letterwinners from last year’s Women’s College World Series squad, including 2023 All-SEC honoree Larissa Preuitt, 2023 NFCA All-Region Kenleigh Cahalan, 2023 All-SEC and SEC All-Tournament Team Jenna Johnson and 2022 All-SEC and All-Region Bailey Dowling
Seven newcomers are on the Tide roster in 2024, including freshmen Lauren Johnson (Franklin, Tenn.) and Jocelyn Briski (Phoenix, Ariz.) and transfers Kayla Beaver (Central Arkansas), Kendal Clark (DMACC), Alea Johnson (LSU), Kinley Pate (Samford) and Riley Valentine (Texas A&M)

All-Time vs. the Opponents

Overall vs. Jacksonville State: 17-0
- In Tuscaloosa: 11-0 | In Jacksonville: 2-0 | At Neutral Sites: 4-0
Current Streak: Alabama +17
Last Meeting: March 2, 2016 – W, 10-3 – Jacksonville, Ala.

Overall vs. Northern Iowa: 6-0
- In Tuscaloosa: 3-0 | In Cedar Falls: 1-0 | At Neutral Sites: 2-0
Current Streak: Alabama +6
Last Meeting: March 6, 2021 – W, 8-0 (5) – Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Overall vs. South Alabama: 15-1
- In Tuscaloosa: 9-1 | In Mobile: 3-0 | At Neutral Sites: 3-0
Current Streak: South Alabama +1
Last Meeting: March 7, 2021 – L, 0-1 – Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Overall vs. Arizona: 8-14
- In Tuscaloosa: 2-3 | In Tucson: 2-5 | At Neutral Sites: 4-6
Current Streak: Alabama +2
Last Meeting: Feb. 12, 2022 – W, 11-0 (5) – Tucson, Ariz.
Last Meeting in Tuscaloosa: Feb. 29, 2020 – L, 5-6

Last Time Out: Green & Gold Classic

Alabama went 5-0 at last weekend’s Green & Gold Classic in Birmingham, including two run-rule wins over tournament host UAB along with victories over Western Carolina, Bradley and North Alabama
The Crimson Tide outscored its opponents 45-5 and out-hit its competition 52-16
Alabama pitchers allowed just five runs, four earned, over 31.0 innings pitched with 42 strikeouts
Jenna Johnson led the offense, hitting 8-for-11 (.727) with eight runs scored and six RBIs
Marlie Giles led the team with three home runs, including two in the weekend finale against the Blazers, as part of a 7-for-10 weekend at the plate
Abby Duchscherer drove in a team-leading eight RBIs and was second on the team with seven hits
The Tide defense turned three double plays in Friday’s win over UAB, its most in a game since setting Alabama’s single-game record with five against Texas on May 17, 2009

Jenna Johnson Named SEC Co-Player of the Week

Jenna Johnson led the Crimson Tide with eight hits and nine runs scored over its six games last week, batting 8-for-13 (.615) with six RBIs
She scored at least one run in the five games in which she made a plate appearance and reached base safely in those five, extending her current team-leading reached base streak to 12 games
She had a career-high four hits in Saturday’s win over North Alabama, scoring twice and driving in two runs, and crossed the plate three times in Sunday’s finale over UAB, which is a new career high
The award is the first of Johnson’s career and the second for Alabama this season, with her younger sister Lauren Johnson earning Co-Freshman of the Week honors on Feb. 12
Overall, Alabama has taken home 52 SEC Player of the Week awards in program history, with Bailey Hemphill as the last to do so on April 6, 2021

Alabama in the SEC Rankings (Top 5)

Team

Batters Struck Out – 1st – 128
Opposing Batting Avg. – 2nd – .155
Hits – 2nd – 133
Hits Allowed – 2nd – 54
ERA – 2nd – 0.61
Runs Allowed – 2nd – 16
Earned Runs Allowed – 2nd – 9
Runs Batted In – 3rd – 104
Walks – 3rd – 61
Runs Scored – T3rd – 108
Home Runs – 4th – 17
On Base Pct. – 4th – .440
Stolen Bases – 4th – 24
Slugging Pct. – 5th – .528

Individual

Sweet Home Alabama

Alabama sports a 716-135 (.841) all-time record at home, including a 680-119 (.851) mark under Head Coach Patrick Murphy (1999-pres.) and a 661-115 (.852) record at Rhoads Stadium, the Tide’s home field since 2000
Since Rhoads Stadium opened in 2000, Alabama has won at least 25 home games in 20 of its 24 previous years there

Alabama Softball Scheduled for 16 TV Games

The Crimson Tide is slated to appear 16 times on the ESPN family of networks throughout the 2024 regular season
Over half of the Crimson Tide’s league slate will be nationally televised, including the entirety of the Texas A&M (April 13-15) and Auburn (May 2-4) series
A non-conference matchup on the road at Florida State on Wednesday, March 13 will also be aired on the ACC Network
All home games and every SEC road game will also be streamed online through the SEC Network Plus digital platform, available at WatchESPN.com or on the ESPN app
Additionally, the entirety of the 2024 SEC Softball Tournament will also be aired live on the ESPN family of networks

Alabama 2024 TV Schedule

Sunday, March 10 vs. Florida – SEC Network
Monday, March 11 vs. Florida – SEC Network
Wednesday, March 13 at Florida State – ACC Network
Saturday, March 16 at Georgia – SEC Network
Sunday, March 17 at Georgia – SEC Network
Saturday, April 6 vs. Ole Miss – SEC Network
Saturday, April 13 vs. Texas A&M – ESPN2
Sunday, April 14 vs. Texas A&M – ESPN2
Monday, April 15 vs. Texas A&M – SEC Network
Saturday, April 20 at Arkansas – SEC Network
Sunday, April 21 at Arkansas – ESPNU
Saturday, April 27 vs. Tennessee – ESPNU
Sunday, April 28 vs. Tennessee – ESPNU
Thursday, May 2 at Auburn – ESPNU
Friday, May 3 at Auburn – SEC Network
Saturday, May 4 at Auburn – SEC Network

Up Next: vs. #13/15 Florida (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Saturday, March 9 – 2 p.m. CT
Sunday, March 10 – 5 p.m. CT – SEC Network
Monday, March 11 – 6 p.m. CT – SEC Network

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Alabama

Prevention Day at the Capitol highlights systems in place that are reducing substance misuse, overdose deaths

Published

2 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Prevention Day at the Capitol highlights systems in place that are reducing substance misuse, overdose deaths

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Wednesday is “Prevention Day” at the state Capitol, an effort to continue drops in substance abuse in Alabama.

The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the work and the systems in place to prevent more people from using and becoming addicted to controlled substances.

For the second year in a row, prevention professionals from across Alabama will connect at the Capitol to hear inspiring stories from young people, community partners, and those in the field of prevention. The group will also meet with lawmakers to share priorities, and feature young people leading prevention efforts in their schools.

Prevention Day at the Capitol starts at 9 a.m.

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Alabama

What to know about the Alabama man granted clemency two days before his execution

Published

14 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

What to know about the Alabama man granted clemency two days before his execution

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday granted clemency to a man on death row who was scheduled to be executed Thursday even though he did not personally kill anyone.

Ivey commuted Charles “Sonny” Burton’s death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Burton, 75, was convicted of capital murder for the shooting death of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. Another man, Derrick DeBruce, shot Battle after Burton had left the building.

The 1991 murder and legal proceedings

The shooting occurred Aug. 16, 1991, during a robbery at an AutoZone auto parts store in Talladega. Doug Battle, a 34-year-old Army veteran and father of four, was shot and killed after entering the store during the robbery.

Before they went inside, Burton said if anyone caused trouble in the store that he would “take care of it,” according to testimony.

As the robbery was ending, Battle entered the store. He threw his wallet down, got onto the floor and exchanged words with DeBruce. LaJuan McCants, who was 16 at the time, testified that Burton and others had left the store before DeBruce shot Battle in the back.

A jury convicted DeBruce and Burton of capital murder and both were sentenced to death. During closing arguments, a prosecutor argued Burton was “just as guilty as Derrick DeBruce, because he’s there to aid and assist him.” Prosecutors pointed to the statement about handling trouble as evidence that Burton was the robbery leader. Burton’s attorneys have disputed that he was the leader.

DeBruce had his death sentence overturned on appeal after a court agreed that he had ineffective counsel. DeBruce was resentenced to life imprisonment and later died in prison.

Ivey’s reasons for granting clemency

Ivey said she “cannot proceed in good conscience with the execution of Mr. Burton” when the triggerman had his sentence reduced to life imprisonment.

“I believe it would be unjust for one participant in this crime to be executed while the participant who pulled the trigger was not,” Ivey said in a statement. “To be clear, Mr. Burton will not be eligible for parole and will rightfully spend the remainder of his life behind bars for his role in the robbery that led to the murder of Doug Battle. He will now receive the same punishment as the triggerman.”

It is only the second time the Republican governor, who has presided over 25 executions, has granted clemency to a person on death row.

“The murder of Doug Battle was a senseless and tragic crime, and this decision does not diminish the profound loss felt by the Battle family. I pray that they may find peace and closure,” Ivey said.

A mix of praise and criticism

The governor’s decision drew a mix of praise and criticism.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he was “deeply disappointed” in the action and said he believes Burton’s execution should have gone forward. Marshall said Burton organized the armed robbery that led to Battle’s death. He said “longstanding Alabama law recognizes accomplice liability, as has every judge that has touched this case over three decades.”

“There has never been any doubt that Sonny Burton has Douglas Battle’s blood on his hands,” Marshall said.

Alice Marie Johnson, whom President Donald Trump had tapped last year as his “pardon czar,” praised Ivey. She said the governor “showed what courageous and common sense leadership looks like.”

“By commuting the death sentence of Charles “Sonny” Burton, she ensured that justice — not technicalities — guides the most serious decision a state can make,” Johnson wrote on social media.

Other Republican governors have granted clemency where there were concerns the person scheduled to be executed was the less culpable defendant. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt last year commuted the sentence of Tremane Wood to life, matching the sentence of his brother who confessed to the murder.

What happens next

Burton will be moved off of Alabama’s death row, where he has been imprisoned since 1992. However, it is unclear when that will happen. A spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Corrections did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

Burton will spend the rest of his life in prison since he doesn’t have the possibility of parole.

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Alabama

New Alabama football coach Adrian Klemm faces massive task | Goodbread

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

New Alabama football coach Adrian Klemm faces massive task | Goodbread

Adrian Klemm, meet the challenge of a career.

Alabama football’s first-year offensive line coach is one of three new faces at Kalen DeBoer’s conference table. And, next year, history says there might be three more. At the major college level, heavy turnover among assistant coaches is business as usual. But make no mistake; Klemm was DeBoer’s most important hire of the offseason. He might well be the most important hire DeBoer has made in his 26 months on the job.

That’s the magnitude of the mess that Alabama’s 2025 offensive line left behind.

The Crimson Tide’s 2025 rushing attack was an insult to the word attack. It was more like a rushing surrender; ranked 123rd out of 134 FBS teams, and 15th of 16 SEC teams, at 104.1 yards per game. Rock bottom came in the SEC Championship Game, when Georgia sent it backward for minus-3 yards. It’s frankly remarkable that quarterback Ty Simpson assembled a 28-5 TD-INT ratio, as a first-year starter no less, with virtually zero help from a ground game. And while we’re on the subject of the passing game, Simpson wasn’t very well-protected, either. At 2.13 sacks allowed per game, UA ranked 90th in the country.

If Klemm even bothered to watch film of last year’s offensive line, he had to do it with one eye closed.

UA tried all sorts of combinations up front, looking for a solution to what was plainly its biggest problem. In 45 years paying attention to college football, I never saw so many substitutions on an offensive line as Alabama made in 2025. Backups got every chance that could have asked for. On one hand, it was understandable that now-fired offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic refused to stay with a failing five all season.

But it also smacked of desperation.

In the end, it was clear that no combination was effective; the first-team unit Kapilovic finally settled on late in the season was the one that got manhandled by Georgia in Atlanta.

It was a shock to the system for Alabama fans, who know what a dominant run game looks like whether they’re young or old. Jam Miller led Alabama with 504 rushing yards on the season; former UA star Derrick Henry once ran for 557 in a three-game stretch against Tennessee, LSU and Mississippi State.

Miller, of course, is no Henry. But the gap between those two is no bigger than the gap between Henry’s 2015 offensive line and the disastrous line that took the field a decade later.

Klemm is tasked with turning that mess around in a single offseason, with only one returning part-time starter in sophomore Michael Carroll, a promising cornerstone to be sure. But an offensive line is only as strong as its weakest link, and Klemm must find four links to line up beside Carroll. A collection of returning backups, transfers and incoming freshmen have a lot of improvements to make, along with a strong impression on a new position coach.

With spring practice underway, that process has begun in earnest.

And Klemm faces a taller task than any assistant on the practice field.

Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.

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