2015 Softball Season Preview Part Four: Outfield
1/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Even in its relatively brief history as a collegiate softball program, Alabama has earned the reputation of fielding some of the top outfield groups in the nation. Alabama has had more All-Americans there than at any other position, with six Crimson Tide outfielders earning 16 of the program's 45 All-America awards. The names at the top of the Alabama record books reflect this trend, with the likes of Kelly Kretschman, Brittany Rogers and Kayla Braud remembered as some of the all-time greats to wear the jersey.
Crimson Tide fans have been fortunate enough recently to witness the emergence of possibly the next big name to join that list in junior Haylie McCleney, who can already claim two of Alabama's 16 outfield All-American awards. Head Coach Patrick Murphy doesn't hold back when praising the star center fielder.
"To me, Haylie is the best outfielder in the country," says Murphy. "She started for Team USA at the World Championships as a sophomore in college. That says a lot."
Her lengthy resume certainly does say a lot. She is just the sixth player in program history to be named an All-American in her first two seasons and she is just the third among that group to be named a First Team All-American in her sophomore season. Her .454 career batting average and .458 on-base percentage are the highest in Alabama history and her career stolen base percentage of .941 ranks second.
She attacks her school work with equal vigor, holding a 4.0 GPA which, last year, made her just the second player in program history to be named a First Team All-American and First Team Academic All-American in the same season.
The only other player who can claim that honor? Kayla Braud...an outfielder. And she did it twice.
The work she puts in away from the eyes of fans and media are really what makes the difference. Not just for her, but for the entire team.
"There are a lot of really good athletes in college that coast on their talent, but she has never coasted," says Murphy. "She is always working extra on something either before or after practice. She sets a great example to everybody. She's the type of kid that can raise everyone else's level of play just by walking in the room. She does what she's supposed to do and then goes above and beyond what we ask her to do."
Although it feels that, at times, McCleney could cover the entire outfield if she was allowed to, the Tide have a multitude of talent to flank the star center fielder. Junior Kallie Case will look to build on a breakout sophomore campaign in which she transitioned from second base to left field and quickly built a highlight reel of sliding and diving catches. An SEC All-Tournament team selection, she finished the season with a .327 batting average, 23 RBI and 18 stolen bases. Fellow junior Andrea Hawkins was also a .300 hitter for the Tide last year, starting 36 games, though offseason surgery limited her this past fall. She is recovering well from surgery and is expected to be ready for an on-field role at some point this season.
The most improved outfielder of the bunch might be Tuscaloosa native Chandler Dare, who started just six games her freshman season. In those limited appearances, she went 8-24 at the plate (.333), including a triple against Mississippi Valley State. She also showed off her speed and defensive prowess in the extra-innings victory over Nebraska in the NCAA Super Regionals, making a sliding catch as a defensive replacement in right field to rob the Huskers of a potential base hit.
It didn't take long after the 2014 season for Dare to stake her claim at seeing extended time in 2015.
"Chandler Dare was our best player over our two-week trip to the Netherlands this past summer," says Murphy. "Those two weeks of practices and games did more for her than anyone else."
Senior Jadyn Spencer started 34 games in the outfield last season and could return there in 2015 in addition to a defensive role at first base. Spencer led the team with 13 home runs last year and was named Third Team All-South Region. Fellow senior Danielle Richard started practicing in the outfield last season and even started two games in left field, making her a versatile option for either corner outfield position or multiple infield positions in 2015.
"When we put the pieces of the puzzle together, we usually try and decide who the nine best hitters are and then fill in the defense," says Murphy. "This year, above probably any other year, it's going to be really difficult because everyone can play so many positions. It will also help us because whoever is hitting the best at the moment will have a spot. I won't have to hold anyone out because we'll be able to mix and match a lot. We have a lot of good hitters and they're very versatile on defense.
"Everyone will get a chance to play, but they just need to take advantage of the opportunities. We've been very fortunate that we've had players that have done that in the past. Last year, you look at some of the key at-bats from people like Marisa Runyon or Peyton Grantham who took advantage of their opportunity and those were big. We need to see that again."
