Softball Preview: The Pitchers
1/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 28, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Many teams relying on offensive numbers alone to win a game will often find themselves coming up short more times than not. The old adage holds true time and again that defense wins championships. If the Crimson Tide's defense is going to be relied upon in 2009, all efforts to contain the nation's and Southeastern Conference's best offensive threats will start in the circle.
Although UA loses former All-American Chrissy Owens, head coach Patrick Murphy sees great potential in a rotation that returns Kelsi Dunne and Charlotte Morgan, who accounted for 75 percent of the Tide's starts in 2008. Also looking to compete for innings and showcase her talent will be red-shirt freshman Amanda Locke.
"It's a really good combination with those three kids together," Murphy said. "We've got two righties and a lefty and the lefty is the exact opposite of the righties. That is kind of what you hope for."
After making 30 starts and 41 appearances in her 2008 rookie campaign, Dunne led the Tide with 275 strikeouts and 26 wins, enough to earn the distinction of SEC Freshman of the Year. In addition to her impressive strikeout numbers, Dunne also held opponents to a mere .155 batting average, which set UA's single-season record in that category. Dunne also recorded 10 complete-game shutouts and tossed two no-hitters.
"She came out right away and we knew she was going to be good, just from fall scrimmages," Murphy said of Dunne's 2008 preseason effort. "Playing from the Florida High School distance of 43 feet, she didn't have to adjust to college distance. Another thing is that she's so mentally mature on the mound. I think she is just going to get better and better every year."
Also returning after a spectacular showing in 2008 is the two-way threat Morgan, who recorded an 18-2 record over 104.1 innings of play. In her sophomore season, the California native showed why many regard her as what Murphy called "the best two-way player in the country with her pitching and hitting."
As a first-team All-American she was the only player in the country to rank in the top 30 nationally in batting average (.417), home runs (19) and earned run average (1.27). She also led the nation with 79 RBI, which set both Alabama and SEC single-season records.
Rounding out what looks to be a potent starting three is the freshman Locke. After a red-shirt year in 2008, Murphy hopes Locke can come in and provide some competition for Dunne and Morgan following a nice debut in the fall season.
"I think Amanda, for not having pitched for about a year and a half, looked really good this fall," Murphy said. "She pitched all six games, threw four shutouts and definitely opened the eyes of the other two pitchers."
With the two returning starters in Dunne and Morgan and the promise shown by Locke throughout the preseason, the Tide's defensive efforts will be led by three outstanding pitchers in 2009. While competition looks to be fierce heading into the start of the season, Alabama seems to be in solid position to have another successful year from inside the circle.
