Alabama Softball Aims To Turn Page on 20-0 Start as SEC Play Begins at LSU
The first season is over.
Bring on the second season.
That's the mindset of the Alabama softball team, which will enter Southeastern Conference play this weekend with a perfect 20-0 record.
So what has it gotten the Crimson Tide so far? Nothing outside of a great start, although No. 2 Alabama is 5-0 against ranked opponents, outscoring them 31-1, plus the pitching staff has already posted nine shutouts.
The idea is to keep that all in the rearview mirror, in part due to there being eight other SEC teams ranked in the latest polls including this weekend's opponent, No. 21 LSU. Plus, Alabama will host the team that knocked it out of the last year's Women's College World Series, Florida State, on Wednesday (the Seminoles are No. 3).
"Clean slate," three-time All-American Kaylee Tow said.
"LSU and Alabama, it runs a little deep ... We have a lot of people that this is going to be their first SEC series."
But there's also a lot of familiarity that will come into play as well in Baton Rouge.
LSU (17-6) only has one senior listed on the roster, although similar to Alabama that's a little misleading. The Tigers return 19 players from last year's team, including five of its seven pitchers: 2019 All-American Shelbi Sunseri (she's the senior), Ali Kilponen, Shelby Wickersham, Morgan Smith and Taylor Edwards.
Alabama's lone returning senior is pitcher Montana Fouts, while Tow is a graduate student. The two other seniors transferred in during the offseason, and have as much experience with their new teammates as the six true freshmen.
Meanwhile, Tow and Fouts were on the 2019 Crimson Tide team that got off to the best start in program history, 33-0. That team went 60-10, but finished one win short of reaching the WCWS finals.
"They've just been terrific with everyone," Murphy said about his leaders, "and obviously there's a lot of new kids.
"Our goal from the very beginning has been — we call it the power of tiny gains — just improve a little bit at a time."
It was one of the messages the players also heard during a recent visit with Nick Saban. When the football coach mentioned how he talks to his team about improving every day, not worrying about the scoreboard, not being concerned with the team's record, and just focussing on playing ball, it resonated.
"They're not going to get cocky," Murphy said.
However, it should be noted that the coach doesn't believe in the idea a loss can be good for a team. He concedes that you learn more from a loss, "But I'd rather win, I guess."
Scouting No. 21 LSU Softball
Pitching
Hitting
Coach Beth Torina
How To Watch
What: No. 2 Alabama at No. 21 LSU
Where: Tiger Park, Baton Rouge, La.
When: The game times have changed due to projected inclement weather. Instead of opening the series on Friday night, the teams will play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. Sunday's game is set for a 2 p.m. start,
TV/Live Video: All three games will be on WatchESPN. One or more of the games could be moved to a network broadcast so keep an eye on SEC Network for changes.
Radio: 97.5 FM | nick975.com