Wednesday, April 20, 2005
While every year, a team looks to make a name for itself or etch its name in history, the 2005 version of Alabama softball seems to be doing just that, but they've gone about it rather quietly.
After starting out the season rather slow offensively, the Tide has picked up the pieces and put them back together and is currently hitting .304 as a team, the third highest batting average in school history. Known for its propensity to hit the long ball, this year is no different as the team is right in the middle of where it usually is in April for home runs. However, the team's production in triples is up this year raising its overall slugging percentage to .472, the third highest in school history.
The team's on-base percentage is currently at an all-time high (.394) as is its stolen-base percentage (.850).
"Offensively, we have so many weapons to choose from this year that an opponent can't zero in on one person and stop us," said Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy.
In the circle and on the defensive side of the ball, the numbers are just as impressive. The pitching staff's ERA of 1.50 is the second lowest in school history while the opponent batting average (.199) is the lowest ever. The Tide pitching staff allows 8.44 strikeouts per game; the most of any previous Tide staff and its 11 saves is the most the team has ever recorded as well. Currently the Alabama trio of pitchers is 34 strikeouts away from recording the most in a season in school history.
"I can count on one hand the number of poor starting pitching performances we have had and that has made the difference between this year's team and last year."
When the ball is put into play, the Crimson Tide has its number one all-time defense there to make the play posting a program best .971 fielding percentage.
"I am very pleased where this team stands right now. The leadership has been great so far in all phases of the team," Murphy continued. "Another aspect of this team that the average fan can't see: they are great kids to coach. It's been a really fun year to coach. I think Aly (Habetz) and Vann (Stuedeman) would say that as well."
Naturally there are still several games to play and averages and percentages have a tendency to fluctuate, but as of right now, there's nothing to say that this team isn't destined for greatness and poised to make a run at its first SEC Championship and a third trip to the Women's College World Series in six years.
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