The Extra Point: Alabama Softball’s 5-0 Start

The Alabama softball team is off to a strong 5-0 start after its first weekend of play.

For the Alabama softball team, starting the 2024 campaign strong was important. A loss in the opener last spring paled in comparison to the ensuing departures, which included names like Montana Fouts, Ally Shipman and Ashley Prange.

At the Buzz Classic this past weekend, the new-look Crimson Tide answered the call, going 5-0 in games against three different teams. Alabama beat Longwood and Georgia Tech twice each following an early standout moment in which Central Arkansas transfer Kayla Beaver pitched a no-hitter in the inaugural game of the season against Villanova.

Other notable performers included freshman pitcher Jocelyn Briski and fellow freshman Lauren Johnson, the sister of veteran outfielder Jenna Johnson, who saw the ball well at the plate throughout the weekend. The highlight play came in the seventh inning of the final game of the event on Feb. 10, when host team Georgia Tech loaded the bases with no one out whilst being down 5-0. Center fielder Larissa Preuitt subsequently made a leaping catch at the wall and quickly threw the ball back in, leading to what seemed to be a game-ending triple play. That was overturned, but Beaver put the exclamation mark on the game with a strikeout. Sophomore Abby Duchscherer has at least one hit in every game thus far.

The outfield defense was great throughout the weekend, showing the influence of Kayla Braud, brought back to the program in a coaching role starting this season after the retirement of Alyson Habetz.

While the Crimson Tide made the Women’s College World Series in 2023, it was unable to send off its program-favorite veterans with a national title. Even so, this unit has begun a new era strongly in hopes of a return trip to Oklahoma City, before even playing a game at Rhoads Stadium. The wait for the home opener ends next, with the 2024 Easton Bama Bash set to get underway Feb. 16.

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