Softball 2026-expectations?

[bamamc1]

Proud of our players for fighting back after a difficult start. RTR

 

[TideATL70]

While I wasn't one of the folks calling for "The Sheriff" Pat Murphy to lose his job unceremoniously during the last few years (post Montana) I did want him to change a few things and maybe not be so stubborn at times. I certainly admit Coach knows more softball in his pinkie finger than I'll ever know. So I feel like I "owe" him an apology as this year's squad seems to be one of the best and most likable teams in many years. A friend reminded me even the greatest of coaches will endure a "down" period.
Just wanted to get that out there and hoping this team makes a deep run in OKC.

 

[JDCrimson]

I do believe he got some counseling from ADGB regarding the change in style or change would be forthcoming...

 

[BennyHoover]

Basically he nailed the offseason. Murph is batting 1.000 with the transfers and freshman. And once he moved Ambrey into the starting lineup we have no weak link in the lineup. 10 good hitters. 8 good fielders at all times. 3 good pitchers.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

I was one who thought Murphy had become the softball equivalent of Gene Stallings or Les Miles. And that, like Stallings and Miles, the game had passed him by.

IOW, the rules had changed (the slap hitter in softball, post-snap treatment of WRs and OL downfield in football). The officials / umpires' interpretations had changed. Based on several years' evidence, I felt Murphy was so sold on his way that he was incapable of adapting to the new reality.

Losing two players who went on to SEC POY at other schools (KB Sides at Arkansas and Skyler Wallace at Florida), the abysmal hitting performance, and not having a successor to Montana Fouts (will there ever be one?) reinforced that feeling.

The current #1 ranking notwithstanding, I'm not sure we're truly the best team in the country. We'll find out about that as the season progresses.

Regardless, there's no doubt that we're light years better than we were last year, and Landon Dickerson has nothing on those ladies regarding guts. We could have folded against UTw, yet that team chose instead to dig deep.

As a result, they won a series against the #1 team in the country after having gotten spanked in Game 1 and down 4-0 early in Game 2. There is no way in 10,000 universes that would have happened last year.

I don't know who said what to whom or when. I don't know why Murphy changed. But whether voluntary or forced, he has changed and the team is better for it.

Ability to evolve is what lifted Bryant and Saban from really good coaches to the #1 and #2 GOATs. Here's hoping Murphy can follow in their footsteps.