BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
Alabama softball is ranked sixth in the first USA Today/NFCA Poll of the 2014 season, released Tuesday. The top ten teams all finished last season in the top ten, though the order has changed heading into 2014. Last season's runner-up Tennessee is the preseason favorite, earning 729 points. Defending national champion Oklahoma earned 17 first-place votes, the most of any team, but fell just short of the Lady Vols as the Sooners sit at the No. 2 spot. Washington, Florida, Michigan, Alabama, Arizona State, Oregon, Nebraska and Texas round out the rest of the top ten.
The Crimson Tide jumped four spots since the final 2013 poll, where they finished 10th. Among the top ten teams, Alabama made the largest jump from last year to this year.
The SEC had the most teams of any conference in the rankings with eight selections including No. 1 Tennessee, No. 4 Florida, No. 6 Alabama, No. 11 Texas A&M, No. 12 Kentucky, No. 14 Missouri, No. 17 LSU and No. 23 Georgia.
Alabama's 2014 schedule includes seven teams on the list. Out-of-conference opponents include No. 15 Florida State, No. 20 South Alabama and No. 21 UAB. Of the eight ranked SEC opponents, Alabama will play conference series against No. 4 Florida, No. 14 Missouri, No. 17 LSU and No. 23 Georgia.
Alabama is one of only two teams in the nation that returns three NFCA All-Americans from last season, along with seventh-ranked Arizona State. The Tide welcomes back senior pitcher Jackie Traina, senior infielder Kaila Hunt and sophomore outfielder Haylie McCleney.
The Crimson Tide opens its season on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Troy Subway Invitational. There, Alabama will play five games over three days against Kennesaw State, North Florida, Northwestern State, Middle Tennessee State and Troy.
This weekend, fans have a special opportunity to preview the 2014 Alabama softball team at Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday, Jan. 25. Starting at 11 a.m. at Rhoads Stadium, fans will have an opportunity to meet the team, tour the facility and see an intrasquad scrimmage. More detailed information about Fan Appreciation Day can be found on rolltide.com and on the information flier HERE
The Crimson Tide jumped four spots since the final 2013 poll, where they finished 10th. Among the top ten teams, Alabama made the largest jump from last year to this year.
The SEC had the most teams of any conference in the rankings with eight selections including No. 1 Tennessee, No. 4 Florida, No. 6 Alabama, No. 11 Texas A&M, No. 12 Kentucky, No. 14 Missouri, No. 17 LSU and No. 23 Georgia.
Alabama's 2014 schedule includes seven teams on the list. Out-of-conference opponents include No. 15 Florida State, No. 20 South Alabama and No. 21 UAB. Of the eight ranked SEC opponents, Alabama will play conference series against No. 4 Florida, No. 14 Missouri, No. 17 LSU and No. 23 Georgia.
Alabama is one of only two teams in the nation that returns three NFCA All-Americans from last season, along with seventh-ranked Arizona State. The Tide welcomes back senior pitcher Jackie Traina, senior infielder Kaila Hunt and sophomore outfielder Haylie McCleney.
The Crimson Tide opens its season on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Troy Subway Invitational. There, Alabama will play five games over three days against Kennesaw State, North Florida, Northwestern State, Middle Tennessee State and Troy.
This weekend, fans have a special opportunity to preview the 2014 Alabama softball team at Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday, Jan. 25. Starting at 11 a.m. at Rhoads Stadium, fans will have an opportunity to meet the team, tour the facility and see an intrasquad scrimmage. More detailed information about Fan Appreciation Day can be found on rolltide.com and on the information flier HERE
- #1: Tennessee
- #2: Oklahoma
- #3: Washington
- #4: Florida
- #5: Michigan
- #6: Alabama
- #7: Arizona State
- #8: Oregon
- #9: Nebraska
- #10: Texas
- #11: Texas A&M
- #12: Kentucky
- #13: Louisiana Lafayette
- #14: Missouri
- #15: Florida State
- #16: UCLA
- #17: LSU
- #18: Baylor
- #19: Louisville
- #20: South Alabama
- #21: UAB
- #22: Stanford
- #23: Georgia
- #24: California
- #25: USF
