TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama softball has taken off and landed in Oklahoma City ahead of their 15th appearance in the Women's College World Series.
And they are on their way. This incredible and improbable run by the Alabama softball team all began when they shook off a losing record in the SEC and a one and done performance at the conference tournament. Since then they have won a home regional, taken down Tennessee on the road in a super regional and now they are officially heading to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series.
"You know, I just talked to an alum, Katie Johnson Rooney on the way here," said Patrick Murphy, "and she's like, Murph, holy buckets, is this really happening? And I said, Katie, it's the same response I've had. And everybody should be so proud of this group because, you know, they could listened to the negativity and they didn't. "
For the 15th time in program history. The Alabama Softball Team will play for a national championship. But despite being one of only three programs to ever make it to the world series more than it hasn't; hat tip to Coach Murphy on that stat, the Crimson Tide will be underdogs all the way. It's something that the team seems to be embracing.
"We love being the underdog," says Alabama pitcher Kayla Beaver. "You know, nobody expects us to win. They haven't expected this out of us this entire time. And getting to prove everybody wrong, it's made it so much more fun."
"Nobody expects it from you," says Alabama sophomore infielder Kenleigh Cahalan. So you just creep up and get after it and then shock the world."
If you're an Alabama sports fan and you feel like you've heard the story of regular season bumps turning into success down the stretch, then just know you aren't alone in that line of thinking.
Before heading to Oklahoma City Coach Murphy arranged two guest callers. One of them was no other than Alabama head basketball Coach Nate Oats.
"He stepped away from one of his daughter's birthday parties to call us and say, Dude this is the same thing as us," says Coach Murphy. "I knew that all year long. I just had that feeling. Like even Coach Saban's last year. You know, they lose a tough game. Don't play very well against South Florida. Everybody's saying the sky is falling. They just started to improve and it really has mirrored our season. Football first, basketball second and then softball third. And we're going for broke now. "
Alabama's quest for a second national title begins versus the number six national seed UCLA on Thursday at 11 a.m..