Alabama
Outfielder Faith Hensley Explains Why She Transferred to Alabama
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.
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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.
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Alabama baseball is kicking off the 2025 SEC Baseball Tournament bright and early.
Scheduled to take place from May 20 to May 25 at the Hoover Met, this year marks a historic expansion, featuring all 16 SEC teams for the first time, competing in a single-elimination format.
Alabama enters the tournament as the No. 9 seed, finishing the regular season with a 16–14 conference record and an overall record of 40–15. The Crimson Tide will face No. 16 seed Missouri on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. CT.
If Alabama wins, it will advance to the second round on Wednesday, May 21, to play No. 8 seed Tennessee at 9:30 a.m. CT. A victory in that game would set up a quarterfinal matchup against No. 1 seed Texas on Thursday, May 22, at 3:00 p.m. CT.
Alabama baseball to play Tuesday in first game of 2025 SEC Tournament
The full tournament schedule is as follows:
First Round – Tuesday, May 20:
- Game 1: No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 16 Missouri – 9:30 a.m. CT
- Game 2: No. 12 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Kentucky – 12:30 p.m. CT
- Game 3: No. 10 Florida vs. No. 15 South Carolina – 4:30 p.m. CT
- Game 4: No. 11 Mississippi State vs. No. 14 Texas A&M – 8:00 p.m. CT
Second Round – Wednesday, May 21:
- Game 5: No. 8 Tennessee vs. Winner of Game 1 – 9:30 a.m. CT
- Game 6: No. 5 Georgia vs. Winner of Game 2 – 12:30 p.m. CT
- Game 7: No. 7 Ole Miss vs. Winner of Game 3 – 4:30 p.m. CT
- Game 8: No. 6 Auburn vs. Winner of Game 4 – 8:00 p.m. CT
Quarterfinals – Thursday, May 22 to Friday, May 23
- Game 9: No. 1 Texas vs. Winner of Game 5 – Thursday, May 22, 3:00 p.m. CT
- Game 10: No. 4 Vanderbilt vs. Winner of Game 6 – Thursday, May 22, 6:00 p.m. CT
- Game 11: No. 2 Arkansas vs. Winner of Game 7 – Friday, May 23, 3:00 p.m. CT
- Game 12: No. 3 LSU vs. Winner of Game 8 – Friday, May 23, 6:00 p.m. CT
Semifinals – Saturday, May 24:
- Game 13: Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10 – 12:00 p.m. CT
- Game 14: Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12 – 3:00 p.m. CT
Championship – Sunday, May 25:
- Game 15: Winner of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 14 – 2:00 p.m. CT
All games will be broadcast on SEC Network, with the championship game airing on ESPN2
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
Sarah Ashlee Barker scored her first WNBA points on Friday night in the Los Angeles Sparks’ season-opening 84-67 victory over the Golden State Valkyries.
The former Spain Park High School and Alabama standout drove into position for a 6-foot shot in the lane for her first WNBA basket with 4:35 remaining in the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Barker’s bucket was the first for an Alabama alumnus in the WNBA since Aug. 14, 2022, when Jasmine Walker scored for Los Angeles.
In 13:32 of playing time in her WNBA debut, Barker made 1-of-3 field-goal attempts and had two rebounds and one assist. Barker joined the Sparks as the ninth pick in the WNBA Draft on April 14.
Los Angeles is 1-0 after going 8-32, the WNBA’s worst record, last season. Golden State played the first game in franchise history after joining the WNBA as an expansion team.
Barker won Alabama’s Miss Basketball Award for the 2019-20 season, her final campaign for Spain Park High School in Hoover. Barker paced the Jaguars to the AHSAA Class 7A girls’ basketball championship that season. Spain Park also had won the 2018 title. Barker averaged 23.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game during her prep career.
Barker spent two seasons with Georgia before playing the past three with Alabama. During the 2024-25 campaign, Barker averaged 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.0 steals in 28 games.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
Gov. Kay Ivey signed House Bill 88 into law, which will formally recognize the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles officers as state law enforcement personnel.
Sponsored by Rep. Jerry Starnes, R-Prattville, a retired ABPP officer, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, the bill amends Section 36-21-40 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to include the ABPP and it’s probation and parole officers in the definitions of “law enforcement agency” and “law enforcement officer.”
While HB88 does not expand the powers, authority or benefits of ABPP officers, it provides clarity regarding their status. All ABPP officers are certified by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission and are required to maintain active training and education. Law enforcement personnel comprise over half of the Bureau’s staff.
ABPP Director Cam Ward appreciated the legislation, stating, “We are proud of our officers and grateful for their commitment to keeping communities across our state safe. Their job is not easy, but these men and women have sworn to serve and protect the people of Alabama. They uphold that mission every day – regardless of the dangers and difficulties they may face, and this bill is one way we can show our appreciation while recognizing their courage.”
HB88’s passage aligns with this session’s legislative trend to reinforce support for local law enforcement.
Recently, the Alabama Legislature approved HB202, dubbed the “Back The Blue” bill, which enhances legal protections for police officers by establishing stricter standards for the use of force and allowing officers to seek immunity in certain cases. While supporters argue that such measures provide clarity and support for officers making split-second decisions, opponents express concern over potential shielding of misconduct.
HB88 is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, further solidifying the role of ABPP officers within Alabama’s law enforcement framework.
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