Seven Southern Seniors
5/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
This year has been one of the most memorable seasons in Alabama softball history. The Tide has recorded some of its highest statistical numbers in program history while achieving the 50-win plateau for only the third time in school history.
A lot of this is due in large part to Alabama’s largest senior class in history. Perhaps aside from the size of the Tide’s graduating class is the fact that all seven seniors come from the southern United States.
A sport that has been primarily dominated by West Coast schools led by West Coast players has taken a turn towards the south.
“It’s a real big accomplishment to do as well as we have because most of the schools and big time players in the past have been from the West Coast,” said Capper Reed, a native of Guntersville, Alabama. “Softball has really grown in the south and in the SEC and it will continue to grow.”
“I think (former four-time Tide All-American) Kelly Kretschman paved the way for us,” said Floridian Jackie Wilkins. “She got us the recognition and then people started realizing the talent pool down here.”
Several of the southern players enjoy being the underdog right now, but they don’t feel it’s going to last much longer.
“I definitely take pride in it,” said Huntsville, Alabama’s Emily Currie. “You know you’re the underdog and they don’t really respect you being from the south. Usually there are only one or two teams east of the Mississippi that make it to the World Series but that’s certainly starting to change.”
“When I was in high school I thought about schools like UCLA and Arizona,” said Texas native Deasy Phillips. “I didn’t really think about Alabama until I was recruited. But now people are starting realize that we’re raising our level of play in the south and we’re just as competitive as anywhere in the nation.”
Another ingredient of the seniors’ success has been their strength in numbers.
“It helps with such a big recruiting class,” said Wilkins. “We’ve all stayed together and everybody gets along. Every single one of us brings a different element to the table.”
Together the class of 2005 has collected a 190-73 record. They have a trip to the College World Series under their belts as well as a SEC Tournament Championship and a SEC Western Division title, the first in school history.
Among their honors and achievements are an NFCA All-America honor, two NFCA All-South Region honors, three All-SEC honors and 13 Academic All-SEC honors.
The seniors will play their final regular season home series this weekend when the team hosts the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks on Friday and Saturday. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT while Saturday’s doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT.
