Alabama Softball Prepares for 10-Day Italy Trip
7/11/2023 2:29:00 PM | Softball
Beyond sightseeing, the Crimson Tide will play two doubleheader exhibitions against Team Italy
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama softball players, coaches and support staff will depart next week for a 10-day trip to Italy, the Crimson Tide's third international trip in the last decade.
"When I started at Alabama, I always thought traveling internationally with the team would be a great experience," UA head coach Patrick Murphy said, "and after previous trips to the Netherlands and Japan, I can attest that this is 100 percent true. This opportunity is priceless. Experiencing a different culture is one of the best things a young person can do."
The trip starts in Venice, a three-day stretch that includes a pair of doubleheaders against the Italian national team. From there, the Crimson Tide will travel through Ferrara, Bologna, Florence, Parma, Lake Como and Milan before returning home to Tuscaloosa.
Twenty student-athletes will be making the trip, including graduated seniors Montana Fouts and Ally Shipman along with #Team28 newcomers Lauren Johnson, Jocelyn Briski and Kendal Clark. The group will practice together this week at Rhoads Stadium before departing on Monday, July 17.
"We can't thank the Alabama Softball Walk-off Club enough for their generous support towards our trips," Murphy said. "Foreign tours also give me the chance to say 'thank you' to some of our staff members who work tirelessly behind the scenes for our student-athletes and coaches. Thank you also to Mr. [Greg] Byrne and Dr. [Karin] Lee for recognizing the value of this opportunity."
Alabama softball has taken previous international trips to the Netherlands in 2014 and Japan in 2018.
For the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaSB on Twitter, BamaSB on Instagram and Alabama Softball on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
