Brett Greenberg
Tuscaloosa News
The 2021 Alabama softball season begins this weekend with the Crimson Tide heading to Montgomery to face Alabama State, Notre Dame and Louisville.
As the No.-8 ranked Crimson Tide open play, here are three things to know:
Tournament schedule
Alabama will play Friday, vs. Alabama State at 5 p.m. at Alabama State in Montgomery.
On Saturday, the Crimson Tide will play also Notre Dame at 4:30 p.m. (Montgomery)
Alabama will return to Rhoads Stadium on Sunday to play a doubleheader against Louisville beginning at noon.
Games in Montgomery are limited to a player pass list and no fans will be allowed into Sunday’s contests at Rhoads Stadium. The two games in Montgomery will be live-streamed but none will be available on Sunday.
Key Returnees
Alabama coach Patrick Murphy has 22 players on his roster, the most he has ever had. Several key players return from the 2020 squad with the goal of making a run at a national championship.
Coming off season-ending ACL surgery in 2019, infielder Claire Jenkins is set to return. In her junior year, she batted .221 with 46 walks and eight stolen bases. Jenkins brings experience to the lineup and the infield.
Sarah Cornell, 2019 SEC Pitcher of the Year, returns to the circle. In her five appearances in the 2020 shortened season, Cornell posted a 5.02 ERA and struck out 15 batters.
Montana Fouts, 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year, will help keep opposing hitters guessing in the circle as well. In 2020, Fouts pitched 37.2 innings with a 2.04 ERA and 41 strikeouts.
The outfield returns all three starters. Graduate student and left fielder Alexis Mack anchors the outfield after posting a .418 batting average with 12 stolen bases last season.
Key newcomers
Murphy welcomes five newcomers into his program.
"It is beautiful to watch all these girls teaching each other," said Murphy. "The seniors who stayed are helping with the younger girls, which has helped them improve tremendously."
Bailey Dowling is an infielder from Illinois who was ranked second in the Extra Inning Elite 100 in the class of 2020.
"Bailey has great body awareness," said Murphy. "When she needs to make a change, it happens immediately. She also has a lot of power and pop."
Jaala Torrence is a pitcher from Dothan who has made strides in the last months, says Murphy.
"Jaala has had great outings in our scrimmages," he added.
American Christian Academy graduate Kat Grill has also made a good impression in practice.
"Kat has been great for us," said Murphy. "She is learning from the older outfielders and looks comfortable."
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