Alabama Crimson Tide
Overall Rank: #8
Conference Rank: #3 SEC
Alabama Team Page
Alabama returns nine starters from last year’s squad that went 53-11 overall and was first in the SEC with a 19-6 record, advancing to the semis of the WCWS before losing to runner-up Florida, 9-2. Coach Patrick Murphy (721-210), who had a change of heart after the World Series last year by indicating he was taking the LSU head coaching position and then changed his mind, lost only two seniors from last year’s team. The Crimson Tide open their season February 10th in the Mardi Gras Invitational against Memphis and are seeking a third consecutive SEC title.
2011: 51-14, 17-9
2011 Postseason: CWS
Coach: Patrick Murphy
Field Players:
Alabama returns 15 of 17 letter winners, including two All-Americans, from a 2011 team that won its second-consecutive Southeastern Conference regular season championship, claimed the No. 2 national-seed in the NCAA tournament and finished third at the Women's College World Series. The team lost only two seniors through graduation including NFCA All-American Whitney Larsen (.354, 14 homers and 65 RBI) and pitcher Kelsi Dunne (29-6, 1.42 ERA with 331 strikeouts in 226.2 innings pitched). Other All-Americans returning are outfielder Kayla Braud and pitcher Jackie Traina (19-5, 1.70 ERA with 190 strikeouts in 156.1 innings). Traina is a double threat, hitting 13 homers and driving in 45 runs while compiling a .351 batting average. Braud ranked 15th in the NCAA Division One with a .436 batting average and was third in stolen bases with 58 in 69 attempts. She has stolen 104 bases in 120 attempts in her first two years of college softball. “Everyone has been excited to get back on the field since October,” said Braud. ”We are ready to start putting in the work towards accomplishing bigger and better things each and every day. Everyone is excited to say the least.” Braud is a College Sports Madness preseason first-team All-America selection while Traina is a second team choice. The team welcomes five newcomers in Chaunsey Bell, Danae Hays, Leslie Jury, Danielle Richard and Jadyn Spencer. Jury and Spencer where both named the 2011 Gatorade Player of the Year in their respective states.
Pitchers:
Traina is one of the top double threats in the SEC and the nation but will need help in the circle. Lauren Sewell, the third pitcher in 2011, had a 5-0 record with a 3.69 ERA. Jury was one of the nation’s top prep pitchers and has been clocked at 72 miles per hour.
Who To Watch:
Traina is one of nation’s top two-way threats and will be counted on to lead inside the circle and at bat. Braud ranks among the nation’s best stolen base threats and will keep the opposition honest on the base paths. She is also solid on defense, making only one error in 2011.
Final Projection:
The Crimson Tide ranked 25th in team batting in 2011 with a .311 average, 14th in team ERA (1.69) and hit 91 homers, and only lost one player from the power squad (Larsen). The team’s overall speed is excellent with Braud leading the way. The Tide will need more depth at pitching if they are to improve on last season, and that will depend on how freshman Jury and Sowell fill the void of the graduated Dunne.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Kayla Braud, OF, 204
Hits: Kayla Braud, OF, 89
Home Runs: Jackie Traina, P, 13
RBIs: Jackie Traina, P, 45
Runs: Kayla Braud, IF, 71
Stolen Bases: Kayla Braud, IF, 58
Wins: Jackie Traina, P, 19
Innings Pitched: Jackie Traina, P, 156.1
Strikeouts: Jackie Traina, P, 190
Saves: Jackie Traina, P, 4
Madness 2012 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#4 Leslie Jury
#40 Chaunsey Bell
