2008 Alabama Softball Season Recap
6/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
June 24, 2008
2008 Alabama Crimson Tide Softball
Alabama (58-8)
Semifinals Women's College World Series
SEC West Champions (25-3)
Radio: WVUA 90.7 FM • Internet: www.RollTide.com
Finishing Up: Alabama's 2008 softball season was the most productive in the 12-year history of the program. The Crimson Tide made their deepest run into the Women's College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City with a 2-2 record and an appearance in the semifinals. Alabama finished with a school-record .879 winning percentage after posting a 58-8 record. The Tide went 25-3 in the Southeastern Conference and captured the SEC Western Division title. UA swept through the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional and Super Regional.
WCWS Recap: The Crimson Tide produced their most successful run in five trips to the Women's College World Series. Alabama went 2-2 in Oklahoma City, knocking off two-time defending national champion Arizona and then Louisiana-Lafayette. Alabama was eliminated with two 3-1 losses to eventual national champion Arizona State. Charlotte Morgan was named to the WCWS All-Tournament team after hitting .308 with a home run, double and four RBI. She also went 1-0 in the circle with a complete-game win over Louisiana-Lafayette.
By the Numbers: The Alabama offense produced amazing numbers in 2008. UA set school records for doubles (118), on-base percentage (.432), stolen base percentage (.876), walks 266 and hit by pitches 63. The Tide also finished second in home runs (77), runs scored (445), slugging percentage (.544) and RBI (395). Alabama ranked in the top 10 nationally in eight categories, including stolen bases per game (2nd, 2.47), scoring (2nd, 6.74), winning percentage (3rd, .879), slugging percentage (3rd, .544), batting average (5th, .324), doubles (5th, 1.79), fielding percentage (7th, .977) and home runs (10th, 1.17). In the circle, the Crimson Tide posted a 1.56 ERA as a team that ranked 20th nationally and second in the SEC.
All-Americans Abound
Alabama softball team had four players earn 2008 Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association The Crimson Tide led the nation with three first-team selections as Brittany Rogers, Charlotte Morgan and Kelley Montalvo were honored. Freshman pitcher Kelsi Dunne also garnered third-team honors. It marked the most first-team All-America selections in school history and tied the 2001 team with four total All-Americans. Rogers becomes a three-time All-American, while Morgan, Montalvo and Dunne all garnered their first honor.
Alabama in the NCAA Tournament
Alabama earned its 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament bid in 2008 and finished with a 58-8 overall record. In just its 12th year of existence, the Crimson Tide program has garnered 10 appearances in NCAA Regional play. The Tide has a 36-21 record in the NCAA Tournament (including regionals, super regionals and the WCWS). Alabama has won six NCAA Regional titles (2000, `03, `05, `06, `07 & `08) and three NCAA Super Regional championships (2005, `06 & `08). UA made its fifth appearance in the Women's College World Series this season, including its third trip in the past four years.
Tide against the 2008 NCAA Tournament Field
The Crimson Tide played an impressive 19 teams in 2008 that qualified for the NCAA Tournament (including the NCAA Regional, Super Regional and WCWS). Alabama played 40 games against those NCAA Tournament teams and posted a 32-8 (.800) record. The 40 games against NCAA teams represented 60.6 percent of Alabama's 2008 schedule. The Crimson Tide also faced seven of the 16 No. 1 regional seeds with a 11-6 mark in those games. UA also played four super regional teams with a 8-5 record.
Rogers Red Hot
Alabama junior center fielder Brittany Rogers finished the 2008 season with an amazing NCAA Tournament. She is hit an amazing .567 (17 for 30) in three NCAA Regional games, two NCAA Super Regional games and the WCWS. During that time Rogers has collected five doubles, a inside-the-park home run and swiped seven bases. She posted a .833 slugging percentage and a .606 on-base percentage. Rogers also passed Missouri's Rhea Taylor for the NCAA stolen base lead with No. 58 in the super regional against Taylor's Tigers. For the year, Rogers hit .452 with 98 hits, 79 runs scored, 13 doubles, a triple, home run, 22 RBI. She reached base at a .502 clip while still slugging .535.
Winning Characteristics
Patience and selectiveness at the plate has been a winning combination for Alabama in 2008. The Crimson Tide has drawn 266 walks as a team while striking out just 286 times. The Tide's top three home run hitters have proven to be the most patient on the team. Charlotte Morgan, Kelley Montalvo and Dani Woods all have more walks than strikeouts. Montalvo leads the way with 24 more walks than Ks with 38 base on balls and just 14 strikeouts. Woods has a team-best 41 walks and just 31 strikeouts for a plus-10 ratio. Morgan has 38 extra-base hits on the season and has five more walks (23) than strikeouts (18).
RBI Machine
Alabama's first baseman and pitcher Charlotte Morgan has been an RBI machine as a sophomore. Her 79 runs batted in is an Alabama and Southeastern Conference single-season record. She surpassed Tennessee's Kristi Durant, who had 77 in 2005. Morgan's 79 RBI also led the NCAA in total RBI.
On-Base Plus Slugging a Telling Stat
OPS or on-base percentage plus slugging percentage has become a popular way of better using statistics to identify a players true productivity at the plate. The following is a quick look at Alabama's top hitters according to OPS among players with at least 115 at bats.
Player OB% Slug% OPS
Charlotte Morgan .489 .813 1.302
Kelley Montalvo .511 .663 1.174
Brittany Rogers .502 .535 1.037
Dani Woods .457 .548 1.005
Lauren Parker .362 .612 .974
Ashley Holcombe .412 .503 .915
Kellie Eubanks .412 .500 .912
Jordan Praytor .422 .485 .907
Whitney Larsen .357 .509 .866
Keys to Winning
The Crimson Tide have been clutch at the plate this season and no statistics better illustrate that point than their .350 average with runners in scoring position and their 158 two-out RBI.
Charlotte Morgan and Brittany Rogers are leading the Tide at the plate with runners in scoring position. Morgan is hitting .458 (38 for 83) and Rogers is hitting .515 (34 for 66) while Lauren Parker (.444), Dani Woods (.355) and Kelley Montalvo (.366) and are close behind.
With two outs in an inning the Tide have produced 40.0 percent of their RBI this season (158 of 395). Morgan paced the Tide with a .471 (33 for 70) average with 30 two-out RBI. Rogers hit .500 (27 for 54) while Kellie Eubanks had an impressive 25 two-out RBI.
Top of the Lineup
One of the keys to Alabama's explosive offense throughout the past two seasons has been the production at the top of the lineup. That trend has continued in the 2008 season. In the Tide's 66 games, the first five batters in the UA lineup have been nothing short of phenomenal. In that span, the top five hitters have gone 361-for-971 (.372), scored 280 of the team's 445 runs (62.9 percent) and drove in 264.
All-Americans
Alabama's roster was filled with outstanding talent from 1-9 in the lineup, but a few names stepped to the forefront and earned All-America honors in 2008.
• Sophomore first baseman/pitcher Charlotte Morgan is one of 10 finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. The native of Moreno Valley, Calif., hit .417 with 19 home runs, 19 doubles and a school- and SEC-record 79 RBI, which led the nation in total RBI. A first-team Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American, she was also 18-2 in the circle with a 1.27 ERA, while boasting a 10-1 record in SEC play with a 1.00 ERA that ranked second in the league.
• Freshman hurler Kelsi Dunne was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and earned first-team All-South Region honors. She also garnered honorable mention All-America honors from the NFCA. Dunne had a 26-6 overall record and a 1.44 ERA. She was second in the league with 114 Ks in conference games and has 275 in 41 total appearances this season that ranked fifth all time at Alabama. Her 26 wins is a UA freshman record and ranked fifth all time.
• Center fielder Brittany Rogers led the nation in stolen bases with 60, including a SEC-best 25 in league play. A first-team Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American, she hit .452 and was second in the nation in runs scored with 79. Rogers on-base percentage was .502 while slugging .535. She finished the season with a 19-game hitting streak.
• Kelley Montalvo is one of the best defensive players in the country with a staggering .983 fielding percentage at third base in 175 chances at the hot corner. Montalvo was a first-team All-American by the NFCA. She hit .373 with 15 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs while driving in 54 runs. Montalvo reached base at an astounding .511 clip with a .663 slugging percentage.
• Catcher Ashley Holcombe didn't make All-American, but she did garner second-team NFCA All-South Region honors after an outstanding amazing behind the dish. She recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in SEC play and ... She is also hitting .297 overall with seven home runs and 25 RBI. There have been just 20 stolen base attempts on the strong-armed backstop this season while throwing out six and picking off a school record seven. Missouri, who ranked second nationally in stolen bases entering the super regional, didn't even attempt a stolen base on Holcombe.
Morgan 1 of 10 Finalists for USA Softball POY
Charlotte Morgan is among 10 finalists for the 2008 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award presented by the Amateur Softball Association. Morgan, a sophomore from Moreno Valley, Calif., was a dual threat for the Tide with a .417 batting average and a NCAA-best 79 RBI that is the most in school and SEC history. She also boasted an 18-2 record in the circle with a 1.27 ERA and a .216 opponent batting average. Brittany Rogers, a junior from Dacula, Ga., was among the 25 finalists before the list was trimmed prior to the conference tournament. Rogers is hit .452 and led the nation in stolen bases with 60.
Five Garner All-South Region Honors
Five members of the 2008 Alabama Softball team were named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-South Region team last week. Sophomore Charlotte Morgan, junior Brittany Rogers and freshman Kelsi Dunne were selected to the first team. The trio is now eligible for first-team All-America honors, which will be announced May 28 prior to the start of the Women's College World Series. Junior Kelley Montalvo and junior Ashley Holcombe were named to the second-team.
Tide Earn Seven All-Conference Selections
A school-record seven Alabama players earned All-SEC recognition for their play in 2008. Pitcher Kelsi Dunne was named the SEC Freshman of the Year as well as a first-team all-conference pick. Charlotte Morgan, Brittany Rogers and Kelley Montalvo also joined Dunne on the first team. Senior outfielders Jordan Praytor and Dani Woods along with junior catcher Ashley Holcombe garnered second-team honors. Praytor was also selected as the SEC's Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Dunne SEC Pitcher of the Year; Praytor SEC Scholar-Athlete Kelsi Dunne became the fifth Alabama player to earn SEC Freshman of the Year honors. The Port Orange, Fla. native finished with a 26-6 record in her rookie campaign with a 1.44 ERA and 275 strikeouts, which ranked as the fifth-best single-season total in school history. Dunne owns wins over No. 1 Florida, then-No. 4 Tennessee, No. 7 Arizona, then-No. 10 LSU, No. 11 Northwestern, then-No. 15 Mississippi State and NCAA Iowa City Regional champions Missouri.
Jordan Praytor, a senior from Vancouver, Wash., was named the SEC Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Praytor boasts a 3.75 grade-point average while majoring in biology and Spanish. She is a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and named ESPN The Magazine Second-Team Academic All-District 4. Praytor was a second-team All-SEC performer on the diamond with a .296 average with five home runs, 18 extra-base hits and 38 RBI.
Tide Net Four ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Honors
Sophomore first baseman/pitcher Charlotte Morgan led a group of four Alabama softball players on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 4 team. Morgan garnered first team honors with a 3.75 grade-point average in exercise sports science. Jordan Praytor, Ashley Holcombe and Chrissy Owens were selected to the second team for their academic and athletic accomplishments. Praytor has a 3.75 gpa in biology and Spanish while Holcombe carries a 3.57 gpa in marketing and Owens has a 3.29 gpa in marketing.
Three Crimson Tide Earn SEC All-Defensive Recognition
Center fielder Brittany Rogers, catcher Ashley Holcombe and third baseman Kelley Montalvo were named to the SEC All-Defensive team in 2008. Montalvo has made just three errors in 175 chances at third base for a .983 fielding percentage. Holcombe did not make an error in SEC play and allowed just six stolen bases all year. Rogers made nearly every play possible in center field with just two errors while tracking down balls from gap-to-gap and going up and over the fence to bring back home runs.
Rogers Breaks Stolen Base Record
Brittany Rogers set an impressive school record just midway through her junior season at the Capstone. Rogers swiped her 134 career base on Sunday, April 20, against South Carolina. In the process, she passed Kelly Kretschman's school record of 133. Kretschman had held every Alabama career offensive record in her four-year career that spanned from 1998-2001. Rogers now has 146 steals in 167 career attempts. Rogers also has the top two single season stolen base marks in school history with 48 in 2007 and 60 and counting in 2008.
Slick-Fielding Tide
Good defense is many times the key component to winning softball and the Crimson Tide was among the best defensive teams in the country in 2008. Alabama boasted a .977 fielding percentage in 66 games that ranked seventh nationally. UA did not make an error in 37 of 66 games this season, including an error-free NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional and just two errors in nine games of the NCAA Tournament. The Tide's fielding numbers were even better in SEC play with a .984 fielding percentage over 28 games. UA made just 12 errors in 730 chances during conference action, including 18 error-free games.
NCAA Tuscaloosa Super Regional Recap
Alabama swept Missouri in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Super Regional. The Tide beat the Tigers 6-1 in the opener and then finished them off 7-1 in game two. Kelsi Dunne earned the complete-game win in the opener and Charlotte Morgan captured the win in game two. Morgan also provided the offense in the final game, blasting a two-strike, two-out grand slam in the third inning. Brittany Rogers was spectacular at the top of the order, going 3 for 4 in game one and 2 for 4 in game two. She also swiped three bases and played great defense in center field.
NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Recap
Alabama rolled through the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional to claim its sixth NCAA Regional title last weekend. The Crimson Tide opened with a 8-0 mercy-rule win against Chattanooga on Thursday, May 15 and then posted back-to-back victories over Jacksonville State, 10-1 (5) and 4-1, to advance to their fourth straight NCAA Super Regional. Trailing 1-0 in the fifth inning of the championship game vs. Jacksonville State, the Tide used back-to-back-to-back home runs from the 7-8-9 hitters to earn the win. It was the first time in school history that Alabama hit back-to-back-to-back home runs. The Crimson Tide hit an impressive .392 in the regional with a .824 slugging percentage and a .447 on-base percentage. Brittany Rogers was everywhere for the Tide with an amazing .800 (8 for 10) batting average, five runs scored, an .818 on-base percentage, a 1.500 slugging percentage and an inside-the-park home run. In the circle Kelsi Dunne and Charlotte Morgan combined for a 0.78 ERA. Morgan was 1-0 and did not surrender a run in 5.1 innings vs. Chattanooga while Dunne captured two wins and struck out 16 in 11 innings vs. Jacksonville State.
Terror from the Leadoff Spot
Crimson Tide All-American Brittany Rogers proved that she belonged in not only any discussion of the best leadoff hitters in the nation, but best players period. Rogers, a second-team All-American in 2007, earned first-team accolades in 2008 and had one of the best seasons of any player across the country. Rogers is hit .452 (98-of-217), leading the team and among the best in the SEC. She averaged 1.48 hits per game and led the Tide and the SEC with 79 runs scored. Rogers led the nation in stolen bases with 58. Rogers hit .800 (8 for 10) in the regional with four doubles, a home run and an .818 on-base percentage. She hit safely in her final 19 games of the season.
Dunne Sets Rookie Record
Kelsi Dunne set the Alabama record for victories by a freshman with her 25th win on Saturday in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Super Regional. Dunne finished with a 26-6 record and 275 strikeouts. She passed Penny Cope who posted a 24-10 record in 1998.
Shutout Trio
Kelsi Dunne, Chrissy Owens and Charlotte Morgan have been shutting down opponents this season. Dunne has held the opponent scoreless 10 times this season, which ranks as tied for the sixth-most shutouts in school history. That includes wins over No. 4 Tennessee. No. 4 Florida, No. 15 Mississippi State, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Arkansas, South Carolina and State again in the SEC Tournament. Owens came within a strike of recording the second perfect-game in school history on April 2 at Samford and then shut down South Carolina for the 24th complete-game shutout of her career on April 20. Morgan has four shutouts on the season, blanking Ole Miss, LSU, Arkansas and South Carolina. The trio has combined for 18 shutouts this season.
Two No-Nos for Rookie Dunne
It only took five starts, but Tide true freshman pitcher Kelsi Dunne etched her name in the UA record books with a breakout pitching performance against Illinois on Feb. 22. The Port Orange, Fla., native returned to her home state and threw the 12th no-hitter in Crimson Tide history in a 6-0 win over the Illini. The performance was truly dominating, as Dunne allowed only two base runners in the historic win. Dunne followed that up with her second no-hitter of the season in a five-inning effort against Ole Miss on March 30. She struck out 11 and allowed just two base runners on a walk and a hit by pitch.
Rookie K Machine
Freshman pitcher Kelsi Dunne demonstrated her ability to baffle hitters in her first season at the Capstone. Dunne led the team with 275 strikeouts in 213.2 innings pitched, an average of 9.01 K's per seven innings. She struck out 11 in her collegiate debut and had 10 shutouts and 20 complete games included in her 26-6 pitching record. Dunne finished with a 1.44 ERA in 32 starts and 41 appearances as a freshman. She fanned a season-high 15 in eight innings at Auburn on April 12 and has 10 double-digit strikeout games.
Tide in the Rankings
Alabama's No. 4 finish is backed up by its numbers in 2008. The Crimson Tide rank in the top 10 in eight categories in the NCAA's final rankings of the season. The Crimson Tide ranked second nationally stolen bases with 2.47 per game (163 of 186) and scoring (6.74). UA was third slugging percentage (.544) while also ranking third in winning percentage (.879). Alabama was fifth in doubles (1.79 or 118) and batting average (.324) while ranking 10th in home runs (1.17 or 77) and seventh in fielding percentage (.977).
Individually, Brittany Rogers led the nation in stolen bases, averaging .91 per game (60 for 66). Rogers was second in runs scored at 1.20 per game. She also ranked seventh in batting average (.452). Charlotte Morgan led the nation in total RBI with 79 while ranking second in RBI per game (1.22). She was 10th in home runs in total home runs with 19 and 15th in home runs per game (.29). Chrissy Owens was tied for 10th nationally in saves with five while Dani Woods ranked 24th in walks per game with .68.
Grand Slams
The Alabama offense demonstrated its ability to put up runs in bunches this season, and nothing puts runs on the board faster than a grand slam. In 2008, Tide hitters blasted seven home runs with the bases loaded. The previous school record for grand slams was set in 2006, when Alabama hit five as a team. Dani Woods, Charlotte Morgan lead the team with two each while Kellie Eubanks, Whitney Larsen, Jordan Praytor and Kelley Montalvo hit one each. Morgan now has three career grand slams to sit in second place all-time behind Christy Kyle (1997-2000), who hit four over her career with the Tide.
Run Production
Last year's Crimson Tide team was an offensive juggernaut, setting a variety of all-time Alabama and SEC offensive records. The 2008 team was impressive as well, lighting up scoreboards regularly. Alabama is averaging 6.74 runs per game in 2008 and has scored more than 10 runs in 12 games. The Tide set the school and SEC record last season by averaging 7.12 runs per contest.
SEC Chart Toppers
The University of Alabama has played outstanding softball this season and it has shown in the SEC team statistics. The Tide paced the league in 12 offensive categories in conference games only, including; average (.332), slugging percentage (.598), on-base percentage (.433), runs (195), hits (238), home runs (43), doubles (54), stolen bases (68), total bases (429), walks (105), hit by pitches (27) and RBI (177).
Praytor is Lowe's Senior CLASS Finalist
Alabama's senior Jordan Praytor is one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. The award is given to the nation's best college softball player who also excels in the classroom and makes an impact in their community. The award, presented to NCAA Division I student-athletes each year in eight sports, focuses on the "Four C's" of classroom, character, community and competition. Go to www.seniorclassaward.com to vote for Praytor.
Praytor Selected in NPF Draft
University of Alabama senior utility player Jordan Praytor was recently selected by the New England Riptide of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Softball League in its annual Senior Draft. Praytor, a two-time All-Southeastern Conference selection (2006-07) and a 2008 Preseason All-American by ESPN.com, was taken with the 22nd selection overall in the fourth round of the draft.
UA's Kretschman Named to USA Olympic Team
Alabama great Kelly Kretschman (1998-2001) was named to the 2008 USA Olympic Softball Team the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) announced on Friday, March 28. Kretschman was a four-time All-American for the Tide and owns every career offensive record at Alabama. She helped Team USA capture the Gold Medal in dominating fashion in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, and was an alternate on the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team.
Crimson Tide Garner No. 3 National Seed
Alabama was awarded the No. 3 national seed for the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide was second in the most recent RPI released by the NCAA on May 4. The Crimson Tide is 11-5 against top-25 competition, including non-conference games away from home against Northwestern, DePaul and Washington.
Tournament Dominance
No. 3 Alabama was dominant as they swept through the first five games of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide has outscored their opponents by a 35-4 margin with the closet game coming in the finals of the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional as Alabama knocked off Jacksonville State, 4-1.
The Tide dispatched Missouri in super regional play by scores of 6-1 and 7-1. Alabama is hitting .354 as a team in the NCAA Tournament and averaging seven runs and nine hits per game. UA has pounded out 19 extra-base hits, including 10 home runs for a .669 slugging percentage. The Tide has reached base at a .426 clip and swiped eight bases in 10 attempts while fielding .985.
In the circle, the staff boasts a 0.88 ERA with 36 strikeouts and just nine walks over 32 innings. Opponents are hitting just .212 with two extra-base hits. Kelsi Dunne is 3-0 in the tournament with a 1.15 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 18.1 innings with two complete games. Charlotte Morgan is 2-0 and has not allowed a run in 9.1 innings with 10 strikeouts and two walks.
Streak Halted at 26 Games
Alabama had won 26 straight games before dropping a 1-0 decision in eight innings to DePaul in Chicago on April 29. The Crimson Tide had not lost since March 12 when they split a doubleheader with No. 3 Florida. The 26-game winning streak was the second longest in school history behind a 27-game streak in 2001. The Crimson Tide beat No. 11 Northwestern 6-5 in eight innings on April 29 to break a tie with the 2007 team that won 25 consecutive games.
Sold Out
The success of the UA softball program under head coach Patrick Murphy can be seen by simply looking around the Alabama Softball Facility. As the wins have, the Crimson Tide fan base has grown steadily. From a handful of supporters in the early days of the Murphy era, Alabama has come to be among the nation's leaders in attendance on a perennial basis. On January 28, the UA ticket office sold its 1,595th and final season ticket for the 2008 season, giving the Tide an unprecedented season-long sellout in Tuscaloosa. It is unknown whether this feat has been equaled at any other softball program nationally.
In 2008, Alabama is once again setting attendance records. The Tide is average a school-record 1,934 per game and has sold 59,909 tickets this season. The Tide has seen 15 crowds of 2,000 or more in 2008 with a new school record of 2,461 coming in at doubleheader vs. LSU on April 5. In 2007, the Tide ranked third in the nation in average attendance, bringing in an average of 1,436 fans per game at home.
Strength of Schedule
After a disappointing seed in last year's NCAA Tournament, Murphy and his staff have assembled one of the most challenging schedules in Alabama softball history. The Tide will square off against no fewer than nine teams ranked in the two national softball preseason polls. Alabama faces Northwestern (7/6), DePaul (10/8), Washington (11/14) and Georgia Tech (17/18) in non-conference action. The Tide meets Tennessee (6/11), LSU (9/7) and Florida (13/13) in SEC action this season. Alabama went 11-9 against ranked teams in 2007.
