Alabama Softball Lands Ace Pitcher from Transfer Portal

Patrick Murphy gets an experienced ace from the portal to help fill the shoes left behind by Montana Fouts.

Less than 48 hours after Alabama's season ended in Oklahoma City, Patrick Murphy has already made his first move in the transfer portal. 

Central Arkansas pitcher Kayla Beaver announced her commitment to play for the Crimson Tide saying, "meet u at Rhoads #bamaU" in an Instagram post. 

She will have one year of eligibility at Alabama.

Last season, the redshirt junior threw 201.1 innings and finished with a 1.15 ERA and 25-7 record. She was named a top-25 finalist for 2023 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year as one of two non-Power 5 representatives. 

This past season, Beaver had a win over top-15 Arkansas, shutting out the Razorbacks over seven innings.

Over her four-year career at UCA, Beaver had 1.52 ERA, 514 total strikeouts and 74 wins. 

Beaver and her team played in the Tuscaloosa Regional at Rhoads Stadium back on May 19 and 20, but she did not face Alabama as her team lost two games to Middle Tennessee. 

In his final press conference after the season ended, Murphy hinted at possible action in the transfer portal.

"We're going to add probably a couple here in a couple weeks because now it's off-season recruiting time in the portal," he said. "We'll probably have at least two more that will join us."

Alabama saw some encouraging things in the circle from Jaala Torrence at the end of the season, but this is huge news for the Crimson Tide as the program will be without ace Montana Fouts for the first time since 2018. 

With Fouts graduating, the current pitchers on Alabama's staff for 2024 are Torrence (senior), Alex Salter (redshirt junior), Lauren Esman (fifth-year senior) and Beaver (redshirt senior.)

The last time Alabama got a mid-major pitcher, it worked out really well for the Crimson Tide. Sarah Cornell transferred in from Hofstra prior to the 2019 season and won 2019 SEC Pitcher of the Year. 

So far, only one Alabama player from the 2023 team, Aubrey Barnhart, has entered the portal. Barnhart announced her commitment to Texas Tech last week. 

Last year six players transferred out of Alabama following the conclusion of the season with three transfers added in infielder Emma Broadfoot, outfielder Faith Hensley and pitcher/utility Lauren Esman. 

See also:

Everything Patrick Murphy Said After Alabama Softball Got Eliminated in WCWS

Montana Fouts Leaves Legacy of Loyalty, Leadership, Love