From RollTide.com
This Week: Buzz Classic
- Atlanta, Ga. – Shirley Clements Mewborn Field
- Thursday, Feb. 8 vs. Villanova – 5 p.m. CT
- Friday, Feb. 9 vs. Longwood – 10 a.m. CT
- Friday, Feb. 9 at Georgia Tech – 3 p.m. CT
- Saturday, Feb. 10 vs. Longwood – 12:30 p.m. CT
- Saturday, Feb. 10 at Georgia Tech – 3 p.m. CT
- Streaming: ACC Network Extra (only vs. Georgia Tech)
- Radio: The Crimson Tide Sports Network at 97.5 FM in Tuscaloosa | nick975.com
Scouting Alabama
- Alabama softball opens the 2024 season in Atlanta at the Buzz Classic, hosted by Georgia Tech
- The Crimson Tide opens up Thursday night against Villanova before facing Longwood and the host Yellow Jackets on both Friday and Saturday for a total of five games over the weekend
- Alabama returns 15 letterwinners from last year's Women's College World Series squad, including 2023 All-SEC honoree Larissa Preuitt, 2023 NFCA All-Region Kenleigh Cahalan, 2023 All-SEC and SEC All-Tournament Team Jenna Johnson and 2022 All-SEC and All-Region Bailey Dowling
- Seven newcomers are on the Tide roster in 2024, including freshmen Lauren Johnson (Franklin, Tenn.) and Jocelyn Briski (Phoenix, Ariz.) and transfers Kayla Beaver (Central Arkansas), Kendal Clark (DMACC), Alea Johnson (LSU), Kinley Pate (Samford) and Riley Valentine (Texas A&M)
Meet the Crimson Tide Newcomers
- Fifth-year senior Kayla Beaver (RHP - Jackson, Tenn.) arrives in Tuscaloosa after four successful seasons at Central Arkansas, leaving as the program leader in ERA (1.52), second in wins (74) and third in strikeouts (514). As a senior in 2023, she was a USA Softball Player of the Year finalist with her 11 shutouts ranking third among all Division I pitchers, with her 1.15 ERA and 194 strikeouts also ranking in the top 10
- Freshman Jocelyn Briski (RHP - Phoenix, Ariz.) was a PGF All-American in 2023 and a two-time Region Player of the Year at Desert Vista High School, where she is the school's all-time leader in wins (54), strikeouts (1,009), ERA (0.54), shutouts (30), no-hitters (8) and perfect games (2)
- Junior Kendal Clark (UTIL - Humboldt, Iowa) was a NJCAA First Team All-American at Des Moines Area Community College, hitting .559 with 90 hits, 49 of which went for extra bases, along with 101 RBIs in 56 games
- Sophomore Alea Johnson (RHP - Fairhope, Ala.) made 12 appearances, including seven starts, as a freshman at LSU in 2023 with a 7-1 record and 1.41 ERA. She attended Fairhope High School and played club softball with the Birmingham Thunderbolts, winning a PGF 18U title alongside Tide teammates Kenleigh Cahalan, Marlie Giles and Larissa Preuitt
- Freshman Lauren Johnson (OF - Franklin, Tenn.) is the younger sister of current Tide senior Jenna Johnson and was named the 2022 Middle Tennessee Softball Player of the Year. She broke Centennial High School records for RBIs, home runs, runs scored and career batting average
- Sophomore Kinley Pate played her freshman season at Samford University in Birmingham, appearing in 36 games including 17 starts. She scored 13 runs and was second on the team with eight stolen bases in nine attempts
- Sophomore Riley Valentine began her collegiate career at Texas A&M, appearing in 40 games with 20 starts last year. Nine of her 12 hits went for extra bases, including six home runs, and she was named SEC Freshman of the Week on March 14
