Analyzing the Alabama Softball Schedule and the Postseason

Following a close series loss to 6th-ranked Florida, Alabama Softball continues to slip-n-slide through the SEC schedule this season.

After falling to Florida 3-2 in Monday’s rubber match at home, the game brought in similar feelings to what has been expressed all season. Alabama softball is working hard. The team is playing tough. The players are competing.

They just aren’t able to put it up in the statistics, season record and the resume.

There isn’t a bigger feeling of disappointment than knowing you are trying your absolute best and aren’t able to bring anything to show for it. That isn’t to say that Alabama is perfect. There have been some major misses, especially in the pitching rotation. Alexis Osorio, Alabama’s senior pitcher, threw nearly 400 pitches all weekend. But Alabama is gritty. They never say die.

With just under a month to go before the SEC Tournament, a schedule analysis reveals it won’t be an easy road for Alabama going forward either. With that said, what is the outlook for Alabama through the rest of the schedule? What track are they on in the postseason?

The Schedule Is Brutal

As we have seen, the softball level has increased dramatically this season. The competition is fierce and that is creating an exciting environment within the conference. That hasn’t worked too well in Alabama’s favor so far. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to get any easier.

This coming weekend, Alabama travels to Arkansas, who is having an excellent year this season. They have the same conference record as Alabama, but a much better overall. They are ranked 20th in the rankings and they are a fierce team to compete with. Alabama does have a good chance to take the series win, maybe even the sweep if they can keep consistent.

Following that, Alabama has Tennessee at home. Tennessee, though they are ranked above Alabama in the polls, has been hitting a skid lately in conference play. Nonetheless, we would expect them to be competitive playing against a rival team. Alabama could take the series, but a sweep here is doubtful.

It gets worse from there, however. The last two weekends are against Georgia in Athens, followed by the last regular season series at home against Texas A&M. That’s two top-10 teams to close out the regular season. The Georgia series alone should scare Alabama fans, as Georgia has been the only team to get a win against Florida’s ace pitcher, Kelly Barnhill. Being away from home makes that just a bit tougher. Then Alabama has to play against the Aggies, which will not be an easy win even at home.

On to the Postseason

If the season were to end today, Alabama softball would be the 8 seed, playing Tennessee on the first day of the tournament. At this part of the season, a first-round bye would be highly unlikely for Alabama to achieve so the best that they can do is get a higher seed for a better draw. Even then, the competition is so high right now in the SEC, to win the championship would be a significant resume booster. Florida or Georgia may have a firm grasp on that, but it’s all about being hot at the right time.

For the WCWS, there isn’t much chance Alabama softball will miss the field of 64. As of right now, it is projected that Alabama is currently hanging on to host a NCAA Regional, but hosting a super regional is out of reach right now. If they can get some huge series win and make a run in the tournament, that could be a different story. Will Alabama make to Oklahoma City this year? It could happen. It will depend on who Alabama gets in its bracket.

Next: Alabama Football: Latest Mock Draft for former Tide players

All in all, the last few weekends of the season will determine in Alabama will sink or swim this season. There’s a possibility of both happening, but we know Alabama will fight to be the best they can be.