NCAASep 23, 2015 by Sarah Hoffman
SEC Season Preview: Alabama
SEC Season Preview: Alabama
College fall ball is officially in full swing (pun intended), and we’re going to be breaking down the top programs in each conference, giving fans recaps fr
College fall ball is officially in full swing (pun intended), and we’re going to be breaking down the top programs in each conference, giving fans recaps from the previous season and summer updates while highlighting incoming freshmen.
First up is the SEC — and for good reason. Of the eight teams in the 2015 Women’s College World Series (WCWS), five of them were from the SEC; and five of the top 10 programs ranked in the NCAA Women's Softball RPI on June 10 are SEC schools as well.
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Alabama Crimson Tide softball has become something of a storied softball program, at least in the SEC. In the program’s 18 year history, it has had 17 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, 10 SEC Championships, 10 Women’s College World Series appearances, and won the SEC’s first National Championship in 2012.
Excellence is the standard at Alabama since head coach Patrick Murphy came to Tuscaloosa in 1999, and fans should expect nothing less in 2016. Although the Tide graduated five seniors from 2015, they return several key players from their 2015 WCWS team. Senior centerfielder Haylie McCleney, who played on the USA National Team this summer, will likely anchor the Tide in 2016, both offensively and defensively. The speedy centerfielder catches nearly everything that comes close to centerfield, often times climbing the wall and laying out for balls that are seemingly uncatchable. Offensively, the three-time NFCA All-American paced the Alabama offense in batting average (.436), doubles (14), and stolen bases (32).
Centerfielder Haylie McCleney doing what she does
best — making the impossible catch
In addition to McCleney, the Tide returns two NFCA All-American infielders. Expect infielders Demi Turner and Marisa Runyon to play key roles for the Tide. Turner had a solid freshman season, starting 61 games at second base and was just behind McCleney in batting average with a .423 average on the year, while power-hitting junior Runyon had a breakout year at the hot corner and set the single season record for RBIs (80) and led the team with 19 home runs.
Another returning NFCA All-American for the Tide is freshman sensation Alexis Osorio. The pitcher from Riverside, California carried the Tide pitching staff last season, with her most memorable performance coming in Alabama’s Super Regional matchup against Oklahoma in which the right-handed hurler threw 20 one third innings and gave up just nine hits against the No. offense in the country.
Expect freshman sensation Alexis Osorio to carry the Tide
pitching staff back to the NCAA Tournament in 2016
The Tide also brings in a solid class of six freshmen and one transfer. Leading the incoming class is Louisville Slugger Hit Club attendee Reagan Dykes. The Birmingham Thunderbolts catcher is one of three freshman from the Bolts joining the Tide and was invited as one of the top 10 hitters in the nation to participate in the prestigious Louisville Slugger Hit Club at the PGF Nationals this summer.
Recognized as one of the top 10 hitters in the nation, Reagan
Dykes is a key addition to the Tide offense
Additional Alabama rookies include standout shortstop and Southeastern Louisiana Transfer Sydney Booker, FloSoftball Hot 100 No. 45 Andrea Kindrick, FloSoftball Hot 100 No. 65 Madi Moore, and FloSoftball Hot 100 No. 83 Mari Cranek.
I think it’s safe to say Alabama will see its eighteenth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance in 2016, but we’ll have to wait to see if the Tide can bring home an eleventh SEC Championship and a second NCAA National Championship.
First up is the SEC — and for good reason. Of the eight teams in the 2015 Women’s College World Series (WCWS), five of them were from the SEC; and five of the top 10 programs ranked in the NCAA Women's Softball RPI on June 10 are SEC schools as well.
———————————————
Alabama Crimson Tide softball has become something of a storied softball program, at least in the SEC. In the program’s 18 year history, it has had 17 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, 10 SEC Championships, 10 Women’s College World Series appearances, and won the SEC’s first National Championship in 2012.
Excellence is the standard at Alabama since head coach Patrick Murphy came to Tuscaloosa in 1999, and fans should expect nothing less in 2016. Although the Tide graduated five seniors from 2015, they return several key players from their 2015 WCWS team. Senior centerfielder Haylie McCleney, who played on the USA National Team this summer, will likely anchor the Tide in 2016, both offensively and defensively. The speedy centerfielder catches nearly everything that comes close to centerfield, often times climbing the wall and laying out for balls that are seemingly uncatchable. Offensively, the three-time NFCA All-American paced the Alabama offense in batting average (.436), doubles (14), and stolen bases (32).
Centerfielder Haylie McCleney doing what she does
best — making the impossible catch
In addition to McCleney, the Tide returns two NFCA All-American infielders. Expect infielders Demi Turner and Marisa Runyon to play key roles for the Tide. Turner had a solid freshman season, starting 61 games at second base and was just behind McCleney in batting average with a .423 average on the year, while power-hitting junior Runyon had a breakout year at the hot corner and set the single season record for RBIs (80) and led the team with 19 home runs.
Another returning NFCA All-American for the Tide is freshman sensation Alexis Osorio. The pitcher from Riverside, California carried the Tide pitching staff last season, with her most memorable performance coming in Alabama’s Super Regional matchup against Oklahoma in which the right-handed hurler threw 20 one third innings and gave up just nine hits against the No. offense in the country.
Expect freshman sensation Alexis Osorio to carry the Tide
pitching staff back to the NCAA Tournament in 2016
The Tide also brings in a solid class of six freshmen and one transfer. Leading the incoming class is Louisville Slugger Hit Club attendee Reagan Dykes. The Birmingham Thunderbolts catcher is one of three freshman from the Bolts joining the Tide and was invited as one of the top 10 hitters in the nation to participate in the prestigious Louisville Slugger Hit Club at the PGF Nationals this summer.
Recognized as one of the top 10 hitters in the nation, Reagan
Dykes is a key addition to the Tide offense
Additional Alabama rookies include standout shortstop and Southeastern Louisiana Transfer Sydney Booker, FloSoftball Hot 100 No. 45 Andrea Kindrick, FloSoftball Hot 100 No. 65 Madi Moore, and FloSoftball Hot 100 No. 83 Mari Cranek.
I think it’s safe to say Alabama will see its eighteenth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance in 2016, but we’ll have to wait to see if the Tide can bring home an eleventh SEC Championship and a second NCAA National Championship.