Softball season is lower than a month away, and that all the time creates a sure buzz round Tuscaloosa, particularly at Rhoads Stadium.
Whereas Alabama is bringing again some acquainted stars like Montana Fouts, Ally Shipman, Ashley Prange and Bailey Dowling, resulting from a number of switch portal departures, plus just a few graduates, there are additionally a number of new faces on this yr’s Crimson Tide staff.
A kind of new faces is the 2022 MAC Participant of the 12 months, Religion Hensley. The outfielder spent the final 4 seasons at Ball State, beginning 108 video games. In her senior season, she hit .404 with 17 residence runs, 40 RBIs and a .533 on-base proportion.
Since Hensley was a pupil athlete throughout the 2020 season, she nonetheless had one yr of eligibility remaining after graduating from Ball State because of the COVID waiver. She revealed in Thursday’s press convention why Alabama was the best place for her to make the most of that fifth yr of eligibility.
She took a number of visits and had no clear frontrunner in thoughts. However that each one modified when she stepped foot on the College of Alabama campus and met with Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy.
“What actually offered me over was the way in which Murphy talks in regards to the staff and all of us,” Hensley stated. “And it actually wasn’t about game-winning performs, and even profitable a nationwide championship, or issues like that that offered me over, however the tradition itself— speaking about Mudita, speaking about conditions the place teammates stepped up for each other in a friendship means or purchased in to one another to be able to win a sport. It moved me. He began tearing up, and I feel in that second I used to be able to commit.”
Hensley joked that when she bought again to the lodge after the primary day of her go to, her dad stated he was able to decide to Alabama even when she wasn’t.
The grad switch brings a wealth of expertise to an outfield that’s down a starter from a season in the past with centerfielder Dallis Goodnight transferring to Georgia. Final yr’s beginning left fielder Jenna Johnson is again. Proper area was a little bit of a revolving door, however Kat Grill performed in 42 video games with 31 begins and can be again this season. Extremely-rated freshman Larissa Preuitt is one other outfielder on the roster who will compete for a beginning spot.
Followers can even anticipate Hensley to convey the velocity ingredient to her sport. Murphy stated she is certainly one of seven “green-light ladies” on the staff, that means they’ve the “inexperienced gentle” to steal every time they see match.
Hensley is certainly one of 4 grad college students on the roster utilizing the fifth yr of eligibility, becoming a member of Fouts, Prange and Shipman. Murphy stated that is the oldest roster he is had at Alabama, and that each one 4 have been nice leaders up to now for Staff 27 because it prepares for the season. Fouts and Hensley each spoke to the media alongside Murphy, and the management and character is a part of why he goes and will get ladies from the portal like Hensley.
“That’s what we would like in our program— top-notch individuals, who additionally simply so occur to be top-notch softball gamers, as a result of you are able to do all of it right here,” Murphy stated. “We’re at some extent in our program the place we would like the perfect of the perfect each academically and athletically, and proper now, we’re getting these kind of youngsters.”
Alabama additionally introduced in senior pitcher Lauren Esman from Michigan and junior utility participant Emma Broadfoot from North Alabama together with 5 freshman.
Regardless of the combo of outdated and new, the staff has actually come collectively within the offseason in keeping with Murphy and the gamers.
“It’s been actually thrilling to return in and be capable to virtually get to reinvent your self once you come to a brand new place,” Hensley stated. “And I feel the factor that has resonated with me essentially the most this yr is, we’ve actually talked about connecting with our teammates and affirming each other in a means that additionally permits us to carry each other accountable— which each of these issues are simply going to drive us to our most potential. As a result of on the finish of the day, I do suppose we’ve got actually sturdy older management, a number of nice returners, however what’s actually gonna shock individuals is how unbelievable and the quantity of depth we’ve got in our youthful athletes.”
Hensley, together with the opposite new faces, will get the distinctive alternative to debut at residence in entrance of the loyal Rhoads Stadium crowd, as Alabama is opening the season in Tuscaloosa for the primary time since 2010. The Crimson Tide opens the season with a doubleheader towards Leigh and Georgia Southern, Feb. 10 beginning at 3:30 p.m.
See additionally:
Alabama Softball Provides Additional Member for 2023 Season
Alabama Soccer Makes Historical past with Three Gamers Chosen in NWSL Draft
Learn how to Watch: No. 4 Alabama Basketball vs. LSU
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