Courtesy of Alabama Athletics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala . – Alabama Softball will be going international for the first time in program history this fall, as 16 players from the 2014 roster and select staff members will be making a 10-day trip to the Netherlands, starting on August 4th.
“We have always wanted to take an international trip with our team,” said Head Coach Patrick Murphy. “This year it finally worked out.”
The ISF Women’s World Championships will take place in the Netherlands in late August, as Alabama will play three games against the Dutch National Team as they prepare for the World Championships. Alabama’s two All-Americans, Haylie McCleney and Jaclyn Traina, will not be able to join the team in the Netherlands as the pair will be competing with Team USA in preparation to represent the United States in the ISF Women’s World Championships.
Previously, Alabama soccer and men’s basketball have both taken similar trips to the Netherlands.
“Both Alabama soccer and men’s basketball have said great things about each of their trips to the Netherlands,” said Murphy. “Not only will this trip help our team on the field in 2015, it will give 16 young ladies an opportunity to experience international travel.”
This season, Alabama finished with a 53-13 record as the Crimson Tide made its ninth appearance in the Women’s College World Series. It was the Tide’s ninth season in the last 10 years with at least 50 wins and its 10th-consecutive Top 10 finish, ending the season ranked at No. 2. Alabama won its fifth SEC Championship, owning a 19-5 mark in conference play, with four players earning All-SEC accolades and Murphy being named SEC Coach of the Year. The Alabama coaching staff was also named the NFCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year for the ninth time in program history.
