Softball Newcomer Q&A: Jaala Torrence
2/8/2021 2:29:00 PM | Softball
Freshman – Pitcher – Dothan, Ala. – Dothan High School
How did you get your start in softball?
"My mom signed me up for it and at first I wasn't really good at all. I wanted to quit but she made me keep playing. I started in coach-pitch and once we moved up to fastpitch, I saw other girls pitching and knew I wanted to do that. My mom got me into lessons for pitching because she didn't want me hitting batters or anything like that while I was still learning. I was always a strong girl, so my pitching coach always told me to just throw hard."
When did you first fall in love with the sport?
"I started loving softball once I started pitching. Around seventh or eight grade I started playing against better competition while playing for the Birmingham Thunderbolts. That's when I really wanted to start playing college softball."
You have a family history at Alabama. Safe to assume you grew up a big fan?
"My parents met in Tuscaloosa, they both graduated from here and my dad (Jeff) played football here. We always came to events here, like team reunions or games. We came to a lot when I was really young. Once I started playing softball we did it less because I was traveling all the time. I was familiar with the campus, the atmosphere and the traditions. By the time I came on my visit I knew this is where I wanted to be."
When did the goal of playing collegiately become a reality?
"In eighth grade I started playing on my travel ball team it was my first time going to California playing in PGF. We played against the Corona Angels and I pitched and had a good game. A few coaches contacted my coach to get in contact. That was the first time I really knew I could play college softball."
When did Alabama come into the recruiting picture?
"I always wanted to come here even before I played softball just because my parents went here and it's close. Once I started playing softball and started getting recruited by others, it opened my eyes to their schools. When Alabama called, I fell in love with the coaching staff and the program and got to meet some of the girls.
"I would come to games with my dad when I was younger. You see them on the field doing their thing and you dream of doing that one day. Meeting them, you really start to relate and get to know them. You see that they're human and they work really hard to be where they are. It inspires you to work harder."
When did you commit?
"I went on a visit to NC State and then we dove right from there to Tuscaloosa. We had lunch and we got to meet a lot of the support staff. I had a meeting with all the coaches and they asked me about myself and my family and a lot of different stuff. No one else had asked me questions about what drives me, what motivates me and questions like that. We stayed for a little longer and when we drove back I called Murph and told him I wanted to play softball at Alabama. It was his birthday and he was out having dinner with people and he put me on speakerphone and had me tell the whole table I was committing and everyone clapped and cheered."
After committing, was it a sense of relief or was it added pressure?
"It was definitely a mix of both. I felt a lot of relief because the process can be stressful. However, after being committed you sort of have to prove to yourself that this is who you are and why Alabama recruited you. I put pressure on myself after I committed but then I realized they chose me for a reason and as long as I kept working and tried to improve myself and my game I would be fine."
How has the transition to college been?
"It was a big adjustment, especially because of Covid. Having my roommates here and having everyone around me going through the same thing at the same time made the whole thing easier though. Being a freshman with everything new, it was exciting and a little bit stressful. We all got through it together. It helped me knowing we were all going through the same things."
You pitch in a deep and talented bullpen. What's that competition like?
"I think it's great. We're competing against each other, but they help me every day to get better. I can ask someone like Montana anything and she'll have an answer. They motivate me to be better every day in the bullpen. I can't wait to play with them."
How did it feel to put on the Alabama uniform for the first time during the fall scrimmages?
"It was a surreal moment getting to put on the uniform. You grow up watching these girls play and I had dreamed about that moment. It was a great experience. I know this past fall I got to build relationships with all my teammates even with covid and the restrictions of what we could and couldn't do. Those relationships were a great thing that came out of this fall."
What are your team and individual goals this year?
"The team goal is obviously to win the Women's College World Series and the SEC. Individually, I just want to be the best teammate I can be this season and be whatever my team needs. I want to grow as a Division-I athlete and pitcher."
What advice would you give to young girls who want to play college softball?
"Enjoy the game. Make sure you're having fun. It's important to push yourself and work hard to reach your goals, but make sure you're in the moment and building relationships and having fun playing the sport you love."
