Alabama Softball Practice Underway
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - It began on Sunday with a single practice at Rhoads Stadium following a team meeting a few of days earlier. The holiday on Monday brought two more practices that focused mainly on fundamentals, and now it's full steam ahead for the University of Alabama softball team.
Spring preseason softball practice is in full swing after the a long wait since the last time the Bama belles were on the field. Crimson Tide softball head coach Patrick Murphy said, "It's been seven or eight weeks since we've seen them on the field. It was around the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break the last
time we were together as a team. It was just the way the schedule worked
out with dead week, finals and then Christmas break."
Practice sessions are pretty much what one would expect in the opening days of the preseason workouts. Right now fundamentals are key, coaches are helping the team to work out the kinks in the team defense, and teach that defensive strategy to newbies, and let the players all do some hitting even while the pitchers limbered up their arms in bullpen sessions.
Murphy continued, "So far I've been really happy with everybody. They had three running and weight workouts last week and one big individual workout session before we started Sunday afternoon. This
is one of the easiest teams I've ever had to coach. They understand servant-leadership and what it means to be on a team. I've been really impressed with all of them and the freshman have bought in from day one, which is always a big key."
The Crimson Tide will roll into the new season returning 14 players from last year's team, including All-American pitcher Sydney Littlejohn as well as Southeastern Conference All-Freshman catcher Reagan Dykes. Bama softball has loaded up on new talent as well, welcoming new additions to the team. The Tide has picked up freshmen Elissa Brown (Eclectic, Alabama), Gabby Callaway (San Diego, California), Bailey Hemphill (Lafayette, Louisiana) and Claire Jenkins (Cullman, Alabama).
Alabama made its 11th Women's College World Series appearance last season, finishing sixth overall nationally with a 51-14 record. The Tide coaching staff was named the NFCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year for the 10th time in program history, led by head coach Patrick Murphy who enters his 19th season as the skipper of the S.S. Crimson Tide.
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Bama will open the 2017 season at the Kickin' Chicken Classic in Conway, South Carolina on February 10-12. The Tide will be facing Towson, Coastal Carolina and Youngstown State. Alabama's home opener will be the following Wednesday, February 15th against South Alabama at 5 p.m. CT.
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
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2016 Alabama Miss Basketball Jasmine Walker
Coming Back Home To The Crimson Tide
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| Jasmine Walker is coming home to Bama! Graphics/Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
In her announcement yesterday, Curry commented, "We are absolutely thrilled that Jasmine decided to come back home and join the Crimson Tide family. She was one of the best in the nation coming out of high school last year and certainly the best out of the state of Alabama. Jasmine will be an impact player for us with her versatility, and we are counting down the days until we get to see her put on her Alabama jersey for the first time."
The 6' 3" Walker was rated the No. 23 overall prospect and No. 5 post by ESPNW in the 2016 signing class. She not only earned the above-mentioned accolades, but was also a two-time state tournament MVP, three-time all-state selection, a two-time Advertiser All-Metro Player of the Year and was named to the Naismith High School All-America Watch List and a McDonald's All American Game nominee.
Walker was a scoring machine, finishing high school with 1900 points and 908 rebounds and guided Jeff Davis to a 102-26 record throughout her career. She was a four-year starter at Jefferson Davis High School for coach LaKenya Knight. Walker was a true leader, helping the Lady Vols to back-to-back Class 7A titles in 2015 and 2016. She averaged 19.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while collecting 13 double-doubles during her senior season.
The basketball phenom not only succeed on the court, but also in the classroom and as a youth basketball coach. She was driven to succeed and help instill the competitive drive in others.
During Walker's one semester in Tallahassee, participated in five games for Florida State, Her last game with the Seminoles was on November 25th scoring a season-high 14 points with the win over Winthrop.
Welcome to The University of Alabama, Jasmine.
Welcome home.
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Alabama Football
Alabama Picks Up Xavier Williams
For Class Of 2018
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| Xavier Williams commits to Alabama for 2018 Photo Credit: 247Sports |
This 6-foot-1, 185-pound young man plays for Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Floida. Williams caught 31 passes for 866 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season as a junior. He is also plays safety and special teams.
Williams is ranked as the No. 2 athlete in the nation, as well as the No. 72 player overall in the 247Sports composite for 2018 recruits.
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Alabama Men's Basketball
Tide Tangles With Tigers Tonight
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics/Kent Gidley |
This will be the 11th meeting between the two schools, and only the sixth time as Southeastern Conference foes. The Crimson Tide has won the last three consecutive contests as well as leading the series 7-3. Alabama has never lost to Mizzou in Tuscaloosa, with a 4-0 slate at Coleman Coliseum.
Tonight the University of Alabama will honor the 1986-87 men's basketball team at halftime. If you recall that finished the season with a 26-4 overall record, and finished No. 9 in the country. The Crimson Tide won both the regular season as well as Southeastern Conference tournament titles.
Also tonight the entire Alabama men's basketball coaching staff will be wearing green ties and lapel pins in honor of the Coaching For Literacy program. This is an effort in which numerous institutions across the country have have joined together to promote greater awareness in the fight for Literacy.
For those who can't attend tonight's game, it will be broadcast live on ESPNU. Kevin Fitzgerald will be calling the play-by-play, with Kyle Macy handling the commentary/analyst duties. If you can't watch then turn on the radio and listen as the Crimson Tide Sports Network broadcasts the action. Chris Stewart and Bryan Passink will provide the call.
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Alabama Gymnastics Remains At No. 4
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
The Southeastern Conference has three teams in the top five this week, and a total of five in the top 10. LSU (2), Florida (3), Alabama Crimson Tide (4), Missouri (8) and Kentucky (9). It should be noted that all eight SEC teams that compete in gymnastics are ranked in the top 25. In addition to the previous five, Auburn (11), Georgia (16) and Arkansas (23) are all in the top 25.
The Crimson Tide will be on the road the next two weekends. Alabama's next home meet is scheduled for February 3rd against Florida for the Tide's annual Power of Pink meet.
