Bama softball team departs Tuscaloosa for Women’s College World Series

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – The University of Alabama softball team is headed to Oklahoma City in preparation for its 15th trip to the Women’s College World Series.

The team staggered a bit earlier in the season, but bounced back to win the Super Regionals against Tennessee over the weekend.

It was a small but lively crowd and they gathered under the awning of the airport, offering hugs and a lot of Roll Tide to team members, cheering them on to win it all in Oklahoma City.

Brandy Rhodes and Suzette Hughes showed up about an hour or so before the team did because this was a moment they did not want to miss.

“We’re big fans and so excited they made it to the World Series,” said Brandy Rhodes.

“I would give up anything to see them off because they have grit like Brandy said and the best is yet to come,” said Suzette Hughes.

And that grit was on display for all to see when Bama defeated Tennessee in the Super Regionals over the weekend in Knoxville, a grueling match-up that included a rain delay in the final game. The team got home around 3:45 a.m. Monday morning, but Tuesday there was no talk of fatigue.

At the Tuscaloosa National Airport, team pitcher Kayla Beaver says they’re ready to go.

“We are a completely different team. What we’ve done now is shown what we’re capable of. Throwing that last pitch and watching that ball being thrown to first base makes me want to talk about it right now,” said Kayla Beaver.

“We gave them Monday off, and today we just get on the plane and go,” said head coach Patrick Murphy.

This will be UA’s 15th trip to the World Series and they’re going with a 38-18 record.

“I’m not nervous. I played here last year and it was such a fun experience and ready to get back there again,” said UA shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan.

And it won’t be long now. The team boarded the jet for Oklahoma City, and you can be sure two ladies will be watching, sending the team off with all the motivation they can think of, a ‘sign’ of good things to come, they believe.

“Because that’s what I believe the girls are. They are tough, they’re motivated,” said Rhodes.

Bama plays UCLA in the first game set for Thursday morning, May 30.

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