Alabama
Team USA Sweeps Sunday Doubleheader at World Games
HOOVER, Ala. — It was delayed by a day, however Workforce USA’s opening video games on the World Video games have been greater than definitely worth the anticipate the 4,500 followers in Hoover.
The Eagles swept Sunday night’s doubleheader towards Italy and Chinese language Taipei with two shutout victories 6-0 and 7-0.
Due to the pandemic, it has been some time since there have been massive crowds at worldwide softball competitions, and Workforce USA veteran and former Alabama outfielder Haylie McCleney cherished the help from the followers in her residence state Sunday night time.
“It was electrical,” McCleney stated. “It’s been some time since I’ve performed in entrance of individuals. For me and the veterans on this group, that vitality the gang supplied us was actually particular, one thing we missed out on in Tokyo final yr. So I cherished it— the vitality, the followers, the USA chants on the finish, watching her [Montana Fouts] are available in and do her factor, it was fairly surreal. I had a blast.”
McCleney went 3-6 with two RBIs and stroll within the doubleheader because the starter in centerfield and leadoff batter in each video games. Considered one of her RBIs got here within the backside of the sixth inning towards Chinese language Taipei that arrange the game-winning run-rule hit from Amanda Lorenz within the 7-0 win.
The most important cheers of the night time got here for Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts when she was introduced pregame and got here in to pitch in recreation one within the fifth inning towards Italy.
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“I used to be simply excited,” Fouts stated. “It was nice to have that large of a crowd, and I feel the Rhoads Home form of prepares us for that, so I used to be excited to get again on the market and put on this uniform. Kinzie [Hansen] was nice again there, and made me look so much higher than I’m.”
In three innings pitched, Fouts struck out eight batters and allowed one hit whereas giving up no runs.
Within the sixth, she confronted the best strain state of affairs of the sport so far after a stroll and error put two runners on base with two outs. However Fouts obtained out of the jam with one other strikeout.
The Italian hitters have been having bother catching as much as the pace of Fouts’ pitches. McCleney stated it regarded like Fouts was throwing 90 mph from her vantage level in centerfield.
“I’ve the very best view on the market in heart,” McCleney stated. “She was hitting her spots rather well. She was mixing it. I feel Kinzie did a fantastic job calling for her. They have been late, and he or she simply saved pounding the zone. That’s an enormous key.”
Fouts, McCleney and Workforce USA can be again in motion on the Hoover Met Monday at 7 p.m. towards Canada.
Alabama
Alabama signee Keelon Russell shows off Gatorade National POY jacket at Dallas Mavericks game
American Airlines Center played host to the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. A few big-time stars were in the arena as well, watching what eventually turned into a win for Los Angeles. One was Alabama signee Keelon Russell, who was recently named the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Multiple perks come with winning the award but one of the best may be a custom letterman jacket. The Mavericks posted a video of Russell in the jacket on their Instagram page, something only he can own.
On the right side of his chest, POY is there. Russell then turns over a little bit and shows the Gatorade logo. You can even see his No. 12 on the bottom half, a number he will likely continue to wear once arriving in Tuscaloosa to play for Kalen DeBoer.
You can check out the full video via the Mavs’ Instagram here, it’s the third slide.
Russell played high school football at Duncanville (TX), where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
The stats throughout the 2024 season were incredible, throwing for 4,177 yards, 55 touchdowns, and just four interceptions while completing 69.5% of his throws. Nearly 300 yards per game in a senior season very few quarterbacks across the country can compete with.
The season just ended for Russell, with Duncanville losing in the 6A-DI semifinals to North Crowley. Getting to and winning another state championship game was the goal but the Panthers fell a couple of games short. Instead, North Crowley will face Austin (TX) Westlake for the crown in Texas’ top classification at AT&T Stadium.
Now, all focus is on getting to Tuscaloosa and getting his college career started with Alabama. DeBoer flipped Russell from SMU over the summer and has only seen his stock soar.
Alabama
UNC, Bill Belichick land ex-Alabama offensive tackle
Not many will get to say they played for Nick Saban and Bill Belichick in college.
In fact, Miles McVay might end up being the only one.
McVay, the second-year offensive tackle, will transfer to UNC after spending two seasons with the Crimson Tide, McVay told On3.
McVay is a former four-star offensive tackle in the 2023 recruiting class from East St. Louis, Illinois. He is listed at 6-6, 342 pounds.
McVay saw time in four games as a freshman in 2023, in which he ultimately redshirted. Then in his second season for Alabama, McVay played in all 12 games, primarily on special teams. But he also received some offensive snaps against Western Kentucky, Wisconsin, Missouri, LSU and Mercer.
The transfer portal opened Dec. 9 and will remain open for about another week for all of college football.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
Alabama
Former Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap collects prestigious PGA Tour honor
There are hot starts to a PGA Tour career, then there’s what former Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap did this season en route to being named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.
Dunlap, who turned pro after winning The American Express in January, won the prestigious honor in golf on Thursday.
“On behalf of the PGA Tour, congratulations to Nick Dunlap on being named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Nick carved out his place in the PGA Tour record book. To begin 2024 as a collegiate golfer and end it with two PGA Tour victories and among the top-50 players in the FedExCup is truly impressive.”
Not only did Nick Dunlap win twice on tour, he did so in historic fashion. He became the first player in PGA Tour history to win as both an amateur and a professional in the same season.
At 20 years old, he also became the youngest player to be named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year since Jordan Spieth earned the honor back in 2013.
Nick Dunlap won the award thanks to a member vote, with PGA Tour members who played at least 15 events during the 2024 campaign eligible to vote.
Dunlap received 57 percent of the vote, according to the PGA Tour.
Of course, Nick Dunlap’s year began as an amateur college golfer at Alabama. But he played in and won The American Express, then shortly after announced his move to turn pro.
He would later go on to win the Barracuda Championship in July.
Because he played so well, Nick Dunlap finished in the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings, qualifying him for the PGA Tour’s signature events in 2025.
Dunlap ended his amateur career as the No. 1 player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He won the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur and the 2023 U.S. Amateur, joining Tiger Woods as the only players to win each title.
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