Two Injured Alabama Softball Players Making Progress to Return for SEC Opener
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama softball's pitching staff has the best team ERA (0.59) in the country, and the Crimson Tide has been able to do that even without two of its six pitchers for the last few weeks.
Pitching coach Lance McMahon has relied on Kayla Beaver and Jaala Torrence as starters during this stretch with Alea Johnson coming in as a reliever.
Both freshman Jocelyn Briski and senior Lauren Esman have not pitched since having to exit with mid-game injuries during the Bama Bash on Feb. 17. Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy provided a positive update on both players heading into the team's SEC opener against Florida this weekend.
"Briski’s probably gonna pitch," Murphy said prior to Thursday's practice. "She pitched yesterday. She’s going to pitch again today, so that was awesome to see."
Prior to her injury, Briski was 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 18 strikeouts.
The absence of Esman has not only been felt in the circle but also at the plate. She had only pitched 1.2 innings before she got injured, but Esman had been one of Alabama's best hitters with four doubles and a home run. She had started some games at first base and as the designated hitter.
"Esman hit Tuesday and Wednesday because we took two days off this week, and she looked pretty good," Murphy said. "She got to hit against live pitching yesterday, and then she’ll do it again today against me and one of the managers. She looked pretty good, too."
No. 10 Alabama hosts No. 13 Florida this weekend at Rhoads Stadium for three games from Saturday to Monday.
