Alabama Softball: 2019 Alabama Crimson Tide Season Preview
By Chris Dodson
Alabama Softball is just one week away from first pitch of the season. Here is a preview of the team this year, with an experienced group on the roster and a schedule that will test the Crimson Tide this year.
Alabama Softball will start season 23 on Feb. 8, with Head Coach Patrick Murphy entering his 21st as head coach of the Crimson Tide. The coaching staff remains the same, as it has been for some time. Outfield play and offense will be led by Alyson Habetz, who has been on Murphy’s staff since he took over as head coach. Stephanie Vanbrackle Prothro will enter her eighth season with the Tide, coaching up the pitching staff.
Let’s first get to know who are the faces on the 2019 Roster:
The Roster: Upperclassman Dominate
The past few years, Alabama has been known to have a lot of youth with a few power upperclassmen. This year is a different story. The roster now has experience from the top down. The roster is composed of 19 athletes.
In the bats and fielding, Alabama lost Demi Turner, Peyton Grantham, Rachel Bobo, Sydney Booker and catcher Carrigan Fain to graduation. The Crimson Tide will have returning stars Elissa Brown, Merris Schroder, KB Sides, Kaylee Tow and Bailey Hemphill among others. There are a few new faces, including a junior transfer from Virginia Tech, Taylor Clark.
In the circle, Alabama will welcome back the arms of senior Courtney Gettins and sophomore Madison Preston. With the loss of Alexis Osorio last year to graduation, you can expect these two to have the majority of starts this year. However, some new transfers will see significant time as well. Sarah Cornell from Hofstra and Krystal Goodman from JUCO power Chipola College will look to make an impact defensively for the Tide.
The Schedule
Alabama starts out the season with four straight tournaments, with the first two being away from home. They will travel to Troy, AL and Tuscon, AZ to start the season, followed by the two home tournaments the usually host. Shortly after that, Alabama will start SEC play, with a trip to Hawaii in the middle of the schedule for the Rainbow Wahine Classic.
It going to be a fairly tough schedule this year, with 14 teams making the NCAA tournament last year. That’s mostly due to the fact that each of the 13 SEC schools made the NCAA Tournament last year, so each of the eight SEC weekends will be a challenge. Two WCWS participants will also be on the schedule: a home series against Georgia followed by a series against Florida in Gainesville.
Non-conference opponents include Troy, Maryland, USF, Arizona, Minnesota, UAB, Michigan State and Southern Miss.
Final Thoughts
This team looks poised to make a big run this season. It going to be a season with tough opponents, but Alabama Softball has the offensive talent and the depth in the pitching rotation to be able to be flexible with their gameplan. Fans should expect a successful season this year with a much more experienced roster than in recent years.
Alabama Basketball: It’s go or no go time for the Crimson Tide. dark. Next
How far can Alabama Softball go in 2019? One can expect the Crimson Tide to make the NCAA Tournament and have a great shot at making the WCWS this year.