Crimson Red Sports

The Alabama softball team (53-11, 19-6 SEC) capped off its 2011 season with its best finish at the Women’s College World Series in program history, placing third at the eight-team event. The Crimson Tide won its first ever opening round game at the WCWS, downing Cal, 1-0, before defeating Baylor, 3-0. Alabama fell in the semifinals to Florida, losing twice to miss out on the chance to advance to the national championship series.

Alabama made its 13th straight NCAA tournament appearance and hosted a NCAA Regional for the seventh straight season and ninth overall. The Crimson Tide claimed the Tuscaloosa Regional title by defeating Jackson State, Memphis and Chattanooga. Alabama then downed Stanford in the Tuscaloosa Super Regional, after dropping the first game to rally and win the next two to advance to Oklahoma City.

http://www.rolltide.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/061411aaa.html

They were so close to doing something that's never been done before and that was being the first SEC team to win te National Championship. It really bothered me at first when Florida destroyed them in the semifinals but then I realized how the players must have felt. I got over the bad feelings pretty quick.

All Bama fans should be proud of their accomplishments this year because they won the SEC and made it to the World Series, this is not an easy thing to do. I can always do the obvious and that is to say, just wait till next year. I still believe that Bama will be the first SEC team to win the National Championship. Roll Tide!!  :D

The season before was Hawaii. This year Florida. But we are getting closer. I just thought our best opportunity would be before Dunne graduated. Now the future lies with the J-Train.  RTR

I'm excited to see what the new pitching coach brings to the table.

I am always surprised that no real rotation is needed. 1 star pitcher and you are in business. Maybe a #2 for double headers, but even that is not an absolute.

We only lose two seniors in Dunne and Larsen. Granted, they are two good ones but we have a lot of talent on next years team. I am sure we have incoming freshmen that can play too. I think our pitching will be good. The J-Train is only going to get better. I am already looking forward to softball season.

Watch Traina turn into a Kelsey Dunne that can hit. RTR

Jamos, what is wrong with Laren Sewell? Was she hurt this year or did Traina just beat her out? She hardly pitched at all. Do you know if we have any pitchers coming in this year?

She needs to develop a GOOD off speed pitch to go with the 70+ mph fastball that she has now.

I agree with the one pitcher concept but Bama didn't have anyone that could throw that many innings this year without tiring. As I said, I'm looking forward to the new pitchingcoach.

Early on I think she had an injury because they use her to pinch hit when she's well and she didn't bat at all, but I think she just didn't get the work necessary to get her in the rotation. I think she can be developed with some good coaching.

We have a pitcher coming in from Iowa.

I'm sure you guys are ahead of me but I just realized that the "mercy rule" inhibits developing underclassmen talent.

Yes and that goes back to a pitcher working enough to go the long distance if necessary. CPM did use J-Train more in the mid-week games as well as Sewell when she got well, but it still doesn't give the pitcher enough time to get razor sharp with her pitches.

http://www.rolltide.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/111810aaa.html

We have one of the top rated pitchers in the country coming to Bama, Leslie Jury from Anderson, SC.

http://www.rolltide.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/112210aaa.html

Here is another softball signee, Jadyn Spencer from Waterloo, IA

http://www.rolltide.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/111710aaa.html

Catcher Chaunesy Bell from Indiana



http://www.rolltide.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/111910aaa.html

Danielle Richard from Priceville

Great, I had heard we had signed one of the best classes in the nation. I assumed a pitcher was included but did not know for sure.

Thanks for both posts and bringing us up to to date on the incoming freshmen Lee.  #+

I pretty  much know how we will replace Dunne, Traina will be more mature and experienced and the incoming freshman, Jury is one of the best in the country.  What I don"t see yet is the replacement for Whitney Larson.  Although she was an all American, I feel that she  was under rated with respect to her value to the team.  She was the team leader, an on=field coach and the glue that held this team together.  Don't know who will fill those roles, plus produce all American stats.