WCWS Match-up Preview for Arizona Softball vs Alabama

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Making their 24th appearance in program history, Arizona Softball (41-13, 12-10) faces a daunting challenge against Alabama (50-7, 18-6). 

The Women’s College World Series is upon us once again and as Arizona Softball prepares for their first matchup with Alabama, the Wildcats will have a big challenge on their hands.

Already, they have done a tremendous job in getting to this point, sweeping Arkansas, Ole Miss, and beating UMBC to get to the World Series for the 24th time in program history.

Arizona Wildcats

However, the road to the programs’ eighth NCAA Title will be a daunting one as their bracket also features Conference rival UCLA, Florida State, and Alabama (their first matchup).

With the Wildcats returning to action on late Thursday afternoon, we take an early look at the Crimson Tide…

Becoming familiar with Alabama:

Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Pat Murphy
Head Coaching Record: 1,167-338
Current Record: 50-7 (18-6)

Pitching:

From top-to-bottom, the Crimson Tide has a tremendous pitching staff. Using as many as five different pitchers, as a group, they are holding opponents to just a .191 batting average with a 1.69 ERA and 510 strikeouts. All five pitchers have a 2.84 ERA or lower.

• Led largely by Montana Fouts, the Junior RHP sports a 25-3 record with a 1.49 ERA and 314 strikeouts. When she is on the mound, she is one of the best.
• Alabama also has another dominant pitcher in sophomore Lexi Kilfoyl who has been phenomenal this season as well. Serving as a nice 1-2 punch for the Crimson Tide, Lexi currently holds a 13-3 record with a 1.57 ERA and 118 strikeouts.
• The supporting cast is just as great with numerous strong arms in their rotation. However, freshman Jaala Torrence is the one that stands out to me the most. Having seen limited action (just 22 and a third innings pitched) she has been impressive. Jaala currently has 2-0 on the year with a 0.94 ERA. She is holding opponents to just a .151 batting average (the lowest on the team).

Hitting:

On paper, I would say Arizona is easily the better and more potent offense between the two teams, outpacing Alabama by 57 home runs and 43 RBIs. However, as a group, Alabama is still a very talented and capable group that can be deadly from the plate.

• As a team, the Crimson Tide are hitting a combined .315 from the plate with 37 home runs and 292 RBIs.
• Where they excel is getting on the base paths, as they currently sport a .402 on-base percentage.
• Graduate senior Bailey Hemphill leads all Bama hitters with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs, meanwhile batting an impressive .416.
• Senior Kaylee Tow has also been impressive, hitting .369 from the plate with seven home runs and 47 RBIs.

Arizona players will need to stay hungry here as Alabama is a terrific group. This is the team that knocked the Wildcats off last time they were here in 2019, so it is time for Arizona to return the favor.

How to watch the Women’s College World Series:

• Thursday 6/3 – 4:00 pm MST ESPN
• Friday 6/4 – 6:30 pm MST EPNU (If Arizona wins)
• Saturday 6/5 – 11:30 am MST ESPN (If Arizona loses)
• Saturday 6/5 – 6:30 pm MST ESPN (If Arizona wins)
• Sunday 6/6 – 12:30 pm MST ESPN (TBD)
• Sunday 6/6 – 6:30 pm MST ESPN2 (TBD – If necessary)