Alabama Crimson Tide softball

Last updated
Alabama Crimson Tide
Softball current event.svg 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team
Alabama Crimson Tide logo.svg
University University of Alabama
Athletic directorGreg Byrne
Head coach Patrick Murphy (25th season)
Conference SEC
Western Division
Location Tuscaloosa, AL
Home stadium Rhoads Stadium (Capacity: 3,940)
Nickname Crimson Tide
ColorsCrimson and white [1]
   
NCAA Tournament champions
2012
NCAA WCWS runner-up
2014
NCAA WCWS appearances
2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2023
NCAA Super Regional appearances
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023
NCAA Tournament appearances
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Conference Tournament championships
1998, 2003, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2021
Regular Season Conference championships
2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2019

The Alabama Crimson Tide softball team represents the University of Alabama in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). It is currently led by head coach Patrick Murphy and assistant coaches Lance McMahon and Kayla Braud. The team plays its home games at the Rhoads Stadium located on the university's campus. The Alabama Crimson Tide softball team won its first national championship in 2012, after they defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in the championship series of the Women's College World Series.

Contents

History

On September 28, 1995, Alabama athletics director Glen Tuckett announced the school would sponsor a softball program to begin play in the 1997 season. [2] At the time of its addition, softball became both the 20th varsity sport overall and 11th women's sport sponsored at Alabama. [2] On January 3, 1996, Kalum Haack was hired from Kansas to serve as the first head coach for the team. [3] The next spring, Haack recruited his first class for the inaugural 1997 team. [3] On February 15, 1997, Alabama defeated Tulsa 5–2 in their first all-time game at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. [4] Two weeks later, the Crimson Tide won their first all-time home game in their home opener at Sokol Park against Delta State 4–3. [5]

After he led the Crimson Tide in their inaugural season and to their first SEC championship in their second season, on June 30, 1998, Haack resigned as head coach. [6] He cited personal reasons for his resignation. [6] During his two-year stint as head coach, Haack compiled an overall record of 78 wins and 47 losses (78–47). [6] A week later on July 9, Alabama assistant coach Patrick Murphy was promoted to the Crimson Tide's head coach position. [7]

Since Murphy took over in 1999, the Crimson Tide has won 12 SEC championships (6 regular season and 6 tournaments), made 17 consecutive NCAA tournaments (every year since 1999) and have advanced to the Women's College World Series ten times. [8] [9] In 2012, Alabama defeated the Oklahoma Sooners, 2 games to 1, in the championship series of the Women's College World Series, to win its first national championship in school history and the first softball national championship in the history of the SEC. [10]

A Crimson Tide softball player takes the field before a game at Rhoads Stadium Alabama Crimson Tide softball.png
A Crimson Tide softball player takes the field before a game at Rhoads Stadium

Head coaches

NameYearsRecord %
Kalum Haack1997–199878–47.624
Patrick Murphy 1999–present1,083–303.781

Year-by-year records

Statistics overview
SeasonCoachOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Southeastern Conference (1997–present)
1997 Kalum Haack 29–2916–142nd (Western) SEC tournament (0–2)
1998 Kalum Haack 49–1819–72nd (Western) SEC tournament (4–1)
1999 Patrick Murphy 39–2619–112nd (Western) SEC tournament (1–2)
NCAA Regional (0–2)
2000Patrick Murphy 66–1425–52nd (Western) SEC tournament (2–2)
NCAA Regional (4–0)
College World Series (1–2)
2001Patrick Murphy 50–1124–62nd (Western) SEC tournament (1–2)
NCAA Regional (2–2)
2002Patrick Murphy 46–2122–82nd (Western) SEC tournament (2–2)
NCAA Regional (0–2)
2003Patrick Murphy 49–2122–81st (Western) SEC tournament (4–0)
NCAA Regional (4–0)
College World Series (0–2)
2004Patrick Murphy 45–2018–123rd (Western) SEC tournament (1–2)
NCAA Regional (3–2)
2005Patrick Murphy 63–1523–71st (Western) SEC tournament (4–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–0)
College World Series (1–2)
2006Patrick Murphy 54–1125–41st SEC tournament (1–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–0)
College World Series (0–2)
2007Patrick Murphy 55–1021–62nd (Western) SEC tournament (1–1)
NCAA Regional (4–1)
NCAA Super Regional (0–2)
2008Patrick Murphy 58–825–31st (Western) SEC tournament (2–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–0)
College World Series (2–2)
2009Patrick Murphy 54–1121–61st (Western) SEC tournament (2–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–0)
College World Series (2–2)
2010Patrick Murphy 52–1123–41st SEC tournament (3–0)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (1–2)
2011Patrick Murphy 51–919–61st SEC tournament (1–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–1)
College World Series (2–2)
2012Patrick Murphy 60–823–51st SEC tournament (3–0)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–0)
College World Series (5–1)
2013Patrick Murphy 45–1513–113rd (Western) SEC tournament (1–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (0–2)
2014Patrick Murphy 53–1319–51st SEC tournament (1–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–0)
College World Series (3–2)
2015Patrick Murphy 48–1517–73rd SEC tournament (1–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–1)
College World Series (1–2)
2016Patrick Murphy 51–1217–85th SEC tournament (1–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–0)
College World Series (0–2)
2017Patrick Murphy 46–1812–115th SEC tournament (2–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (1–2)
2018Patrick Murphy 36–2012–128th SEC tournament (1–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (0–2)
2019Patrick Murphy 60–1018–61st SEC tournament (2–1)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–1)
College World Series (3–2)
2020Patrick Murphy 14–82–1Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021Patrick Murphy 52–918–63rd SEC tournament (3–0)
NCAA Regional (3–0)
NCAA Super Regional (2–0)
College World Series (2–2)
2022Patrick Murphy 44–1316–82nd SEC Tournament (0–1)
NCAA Regional (3–2)
2023Patrick Murphy 45–2214–105th SEC Tournament (2–1)
NCAA Regional (3–1)
NCAA Super Regional (2–1)
College World Series (0–2)
Total:1,291–383471–181

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

NCAA Tournament seeding history

National seeding began in 2005. The Alabama Crimson Tide are one of only two teams to have a national seed every year, along with Tennessee.

Years → '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '21 '22 '23
Seeds →12511341221026616128365

Awards and honors

National awards

NFCA National Pitcher of the Year
Softball America Pitcher of the Year
D1Softball Pitcher of the Year
Honda Sports Award

Conference awards

SEC Player of the Year
SEC Pitcher of the Year
SEC Freshman of the Year

Alabama's Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Americans

PlayerYear(s)
Kelly Kretschman 1998, 1999, 2000†, 2001†
Carrie Moreman1999
Ginger Jones2000†
Shelley Laird2000, 2001
Suzanne Olcott2001
Ashley Courtney2002†, 2005
Jackie McClain2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Stephanie VanBrakle2005, 2006
Brittany Rogers 2006, 2007, 2008†, 2009
Lauren Parker2007†
Chrissy Owens2007
Kelley Montalvo2008†
Charlotte Morgan 2008†, 2009†, 2010
Kelsi Dunne2008, 2009†, 2010, 2011†
Kayla Braud2010, 2011†, 2013†
Whitney Larsen2011
Jackie Traina2011†, 2012†, 2013, 2014†
Kaila Hunt2012, 2013
Amanda Locke2012
Jennifer Fenton2012
Haylie McCleney2013, 2014†, 2015†, 2016†
Alexis Osorio2015, 2017†
Marisa Runyon2015
Demi Turner2015
Leona Lafaele2016
Sydney Littlejohn2016
Kaylee Tow2018, 2019, 2021
Bailey Hemphill 2019, 2021†
Montana Fouts 2019, 2021†
Reference: [11]

†Denotes 1st Team selection

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alabama Crimson Tide</span> Intercollegiate sports teams

The Alabama Crimson Tide refers to the intercollegiate athletic varsity teams that represent the University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide teams compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Spirit Squads compete in the UCA and UDA College National Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 114th overall season, 75th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 17th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Nick Saban, in his second year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2004 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama during the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. This was the team's 72nd season in the SEC. The Crimson Tide were led by head coach Mike Shula who was entering his second season as head coach. They began their season with trying to improve from a 4–9 (2–6) record from the 2003 season. The 2004 squad finished the season with a record of 6–6 following a loss to Minnesota in the Music City Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2003 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 69th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 12th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Mike Shula, in his first year, and played their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham and Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of four wins and nine losses.

The 1982 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 88th overall and 49th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 25th and final year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with eight wins and four losses and with a victory over Illinois in the Liberty Bowl.

The 1986 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 94th overall and 53rd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Ray Perkins, in his fourth year, and played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of ten wins and three losses and with a victory in the Sun Bowl over Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 115th overall season, 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 18th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Nick Saban, in his third year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They finished the season undefeated with a record of 14–0 and as national champions for the first time since 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhoads Stadium</span>

The John and Ann Rhoads Softball Stadium is a college softball stadium located on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It serves as the home field of the Alabama Crimson Tide softball team and is located on the corner of Peter Bryce Boulevard and Campus Drive on the northeast corner of campus. The Crimson Tide's all-time record at Rhoads Stadium is 316–50 (.863). It is the largest softball stadium affiliated with an individual university with an official capacity of 3,940. After they played their first season at Sokol Park and at Bowers Park for both the 1998 and 1999 seasons, the Crimson Tide opened Rhoads Stadium on February 23, 2000, with a 7–1 victory over the UAB Blazers.

The 1935 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1935 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 42nd overall and 3rd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his fifth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of six wins, two losses and one tie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team</span>

The 2010 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team was an American softball team, representing the University of Alabama for the 2010 NCAA softball season. The Crimson Tide played its home games at the Alabama Softball Complex. The 2010 club made the postseason for the 12th straight year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 117th overall and 78th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 20th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Nick Saban, in his fifth year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of twelve wins and one loss and as consensus national champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team</span>

The 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team is an American softball team, representing the University of Alabama for the 2011 NCAA softball season. The Crimson Tide plays its home games at Rhoads Stadium. The 2011 made the postseason for the 13th straight year, and the Women's College World Series for seventh time after failing to make it in 2010. This season represents the 15th season of softball in the school's history. The Crimson Tide won the SEC Regular Season by defeating the Ole Miss Rebels 10-1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team</span>

The 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team was an American softball team, representing the University of Alabama for the 2012 NCAA softball season. The Crimson Tide played its home games at Rhoads Stadium. The 2012 team made the postseason for the 14th straight year, and the Women's College World Series for eighth time. This season represented the 16th season of softball in the school's history. Alabama won its first softball National Championship, defeating Oklahoma in three games. They became the first team in the Southeastern Conference to win the Women's College World Series.

Alabama Crimson Tide football under Nick Saban covers the history of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program from when Nick Saban was hired as head coach in 2007 up until his retirement after the 2023 season. Alabama plays as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and is a member of the West Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Tide plays its home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Their overall official record under Saban was 201–29 (.878), 23 bowl game appearances with 16 victories, ten SEC West titles, nine SEC championships, and six national championships. From 2008 up until his retirement, Saban's teams have spent part or all of each season ranked at least top 4 in national polls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A-Day (University of Alabama)</span> Annual football exhibition

A-Day is an annual college football exhibition game set at the conclusion of spring practice by the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Played on-campus at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the game features teams composed of offensive starters against defensive starters of the Crimson Tide. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules allow for member schools to conduct a series of fifteen practice sessions during the spring months. As part of these practices the NCAA allows three 11-on-11 scrimmages, one of which may be conducted as a spring game.

Amanda Locke is an American, former collegiate All-American softball player and current coach at Birmingham–Southern College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team</span>

The 2019 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team is an American softball team, representing the University of Alabama for the 2019 NCAA softball season. The Crimson Tide play their home games at Rhoads Stadium. After losing in the 2018 NCAA Super Regionals, the 2019 team looks to make the postseason for the 21st straight year, and the Women's College World Series for twelfth time. This season represents the 23rd season of softball in the school's history.

Montana Fay Fouts is an American softball pitcher for the United States women's national softball team. A four-time All-American pitcher at the University of Alabama, she is best known for pitching a perfect game against UCLA in the 2021 Women's College World Series.

Bailey Marie Hemphill is a former American All-American softball player for the Alabama Crimson Tide. She currently holds the Alabama record for the most career home runs hit with 64, as well as the SEC record for most career walks with 237.

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ "Alabama Crimson Tide Logo Sheet" (PDF). June 28, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Bama will sponsor women's softball program". The Tuscaloosa News. September 29, 1995. p. C4. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Haack to direct Bama softball". The Tuscaloosa News. January 4, 1996. p. C3. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Tide softball team opens season with win". The Tuscaloosa News. February 16, 1997. p. C8. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  5. ↑ Deas, Tommy (February 28, 1997). "Alabama softball team triumphs in home opener". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 Deas, Tommy (July 1, 1998). "Bama softball coach Kalum Haack resigns". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  7. ↑ Deas, Tommy (July 10, 1998). "Murphy takes over Bama softball". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Tide softball season ends with loss to ASU, 3–1". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations - RollTide.com. June 1, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Alabama softball falls to Florida 6–5, ending its Women's College World Series run". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations - RollTide.com. May 31, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
  10. ↑ Hays, Graham (June 7, 2012). "Alabama's title a milestone for SEC". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  11. ↑ 2012 University of Alabama Softball Media Guide, p. 50
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.