Five Things to Know as Alabama Softball Gears Up for 2021 Season
Like most things in the country, the 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide softball season got cut short due to the global lockdown imposed earlier last year. Unfortunately, the season suspension ended
Alabama’s hope for securing their first SEC championship win since 2014. The Crimson Tide finished their 2020 season with a 14-8 record following the suspension on 12 th March.
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Before the season was canceled, the Crimson Tide was able to complete one SEC series and four tournaments. In 2021, the Alabama softball team start playing on 12 th February in Austin, playing five games within three days. Here are five things that softball fans who like online betting in Colorado will want to know about the Crimson Tide as they gear up for the 2021 season.
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The Team Roster is Loaded
With 22 players on the team roster, Coach Patrick Murphy has the most he’s ever had at his disposal. Murphy’s team will include nine freshmen this year, four from 2021 and five from 2020. According to coach Murphy, if 85 people are four and five-star players on scholarship, they’d still figure out how to compete for a spot in the squad, and that would be great for the team.
Claire Jenkins is Back
After going through a season-ending ACL surgery last season, Clare Jenkins will be back as the team’s defensive anchor in 2021. Jenkins started 69 games as a junior at shortstop, with only 11 errors. Jenkins is excited to play alongside a deep roster as it will help her improve her skills and improve the team.
The Pitching Staff Has More Arms
This year, the pitching staff will have two more arms in the team, including the 2019 SEC pitcher of the year (Sarah Cornell - senior), 2019 SEC freshman of the year (sophomore Montana
Fouts), Lexy Kilfoyl, senior Krystal Goodman, freshman Jaala Torrence, and Alex Salter. Coach Murphy also believes that everyone in his squad has taken a step further, but he’s confident with
anyone he puts in the circle.
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Battle’s Donation Brings Seniors Back
Former athletics director Bill Battle contributed further to his legacy on the team after surprising coach Murphy with a sizeable donation enough to sponsor seven seniors who want to come back
after their season got suspended. Murphy was excited that six seniors now have the chance to earn their master’s degree, and one will earn a second undergraduate degree. The seven players
will include graduate-transfer Mack and outfielders Elissa Brown, infielders Taylor Clark and Jenkins, pitchers Goodman and Cornell, and utility player Bailey Hemphill.
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The Starting Outfield Returns
After the shortened 2020 season, all three starters will be back at the starting outfield. Freshman Jenna Johnson will anchor the outfield this season, having committed only a single error over the
last 21 games. Junior right defender K.B. Sides will return this year for her third season after recording a 0.304 batting average during her sophomore year. Alexis Mack will hold the left field for the team after recording a 0.418 batting average last season.
