Alabama softball lands just outside top 10 in preseason ESPN rankings
The Alabama Crimson Tide softball team is preparing for its 2025 season opener in Tucson, Ariz., at the annual Candrea Classic.
Alabama is scheduled to open the season against the Washington Huskies on Feb. 7. They're also scheduled to face the Michigan State Spartans, Western Michigan Broncos and host Arizona Wildcats at the tournament.
With less than two weeks until the season begins, ESPN and USA Softball recently unveiled their preseason Top 25 rankings. Patrick Murphy's Crimson Tide was ranked No. 11, one spot behind No. 10 Texas Tech and one spot ahead of No. 12 Florida State.
Alabama was also ranked No. 11 in Softball America's preseason Top 25 poll, released earlier this month on Jan. 13.
In ESPN's poll, the Texas Longhorns were ranked preseason No. 1, followed by the Florida Gators at No. 2. The four-time reigning national champion Oklahoma Sooners were ranked No. 3, followed by No. 4 Oklahoma State and No. 5 Tennessee to round out the top five.
A total of 11 SEC teams were ranked in ESPN's preseason poll, including six in the top 10. Texas A&M was No. 7, followed by LSU at No. 9. With Alabama at No. 11, Arkansas (No. 13), Georgia (No. 14), Missouri (No. 15), and Mississippi State (No. 25) were also ranked in the top 25.
Alabama finished 39-20 overall in 2024, a season that included the program's 15th trip to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. The Crimson Tide swept their on-site regional at Rhoads Stadium before rallying past No. 3 Tennessee in the Knoxville Super Regional. Alabama was eliminated by Florida in the WCWS.
First pitch for the Crimson Tide's season opener against Washington is listed at 10:30 a.m. CT from Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama news and notes, plus opinions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Major Update on Stephanie White's Partner Lisa Salters Amid Sky Game Absence
Major Update on Stephanie White's Partner Lisa Salters Amid Sky Game Absence originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White was not on the bench for Saturday's 79-52 win over the Chicago Sky. Advertisement She missed practice on Friday due to "personal reasons," leaving her status for the game uncertain. As tip-off approached, a team spokesperson confirmed to IndyStar's Chloe Peterson that White would not be in attendance. Aside from "personal reasons," no details were provided. Regardless, the team stepped up with Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham out due to injury, giving first assistant coach Austin Kelly his first win as a WNBA head coach. It's unclear when White will return, but on Sunday, a major update was shared that could provide more clarity on why she hasn't been with the team over the past several days. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White.© Grace Smith-INDIANAPOLIS STAR-Imagn Images Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals is Sunday night, and White's partner, Lisa Salters, was replaced on ESPN's sideline reporting team by Jorge Sedano. Advertisement In a statement to Front Office Sports, ESPN said Salters is dealing with a personal issue. 'Lisa is attending to a personal matter. We send her our best," ESPN wrote. White and Salters have been in a romantic relationship since at least 2016. While they aren't married, they've raised a blended family consisting of White's three children from her previous marriage and Salters' adopted son. In the offseason, White returns to their home in Nashville, Tennessee, where Salters lives full time. The first game White can return to the Fever is on Tuesday, when they face the Dream in Atlanta. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST. Advertisement Related: Price Tag of Caitlin Clark's Luxury Watch Before Angel Reese Game Revealed Related: Candace Parker Doesn't Entertain Caitlin Clark – Angel Reese Rivalry This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Could the Boston Celtics lose Al Horford this summer?
Could the Boston Celtics lose Al Horford this summer? Al Horford is heading into unrestricted free agency. The veteran big man played a key role for the Boston Celtics this season, suiting up for 60 games, with 42 coming as a starter. Despite recently turning 39 years old, Horford is still a highly impactful big man, both on the court and in the locker room. However, given Horford's age and the uncertainty surrounding the Celtics' roster, there's no telling whether he will return to the franchise next season. He could choose to retire, or may even look to contend for a championship elsewhere in the league. According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, who spoke on a June 1 episode of "The Hoop Collective" podcast, Horford would be a strong addition to the New York Knicks. During a June 2 episode of the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast, hosts Adam Taylor and Billy Calabrese discussed Horford's future, and why it's unlikely he jumps ship to help a New York team that also fell short this season. Taylor and Calabrese all touched on the Celtics potential need for a long-term solution at the center position, and whether Horford could return for another year with the franchise. You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded video above. Watch the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast on: YouTube: Website:
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
ESPN Announces Update on Sideline Reporter Lisa Salters
ESPN will be without its top sideline reporter for Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night. Lisa Salters, who is part of the network's top NBA broadcasting crew along with play-by-play man Mike Breen and analysts Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson, will not be working tonight's game between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Advertisement Jorge Sedano will replace Salters. According to ESPN PR, through Front Office Sports' Ryan Glasspiegel, Salters is dealing with "a personal matter." "We send her our best," ESPN said. No further information has been made available, which isn't surprising given that it's a personal issue. We're hoping Salters is not dealing with anything too serious, and we also wish her the best. It should be noted that her longtime partner, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, also missed practice and a game this weekend for personal reasons, so perhaps the two are dealing with a family matter. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: ESPN reporter Lisa Salters looks on during warmups before the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bucks defeated the Thunder has been at ESPN since 2000. During that time, she's served as a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football and other NFL assignment, in addition to the NBA. Advertisement Salters, who won a Sports Emmy in 2023, was also the sideline reporter for ABC's Saturday Night Football college football from 2006-10 and has drawn acclaim for her general assignment reporting as well. Game 2 between the Pacers and Thunder is set for 8 p.m. ET tonight on ABC. Indiana stole Game 1 Thursday night with yet another remarkable playoff comeback, rallying from down 14 in the fourth quarter to win on star point guard Tyrese Haliburton's jump shot with 0.3 seconds remaining. Oklahoma City will aim to even the series tonight. It's essentially a must-win for the favored Thunder, as teams that lose the first two games of a postseason series at home typically don't fare well. ESPN Announces Update on Sideline Reporter Lisa Salters first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 8, 2025
