Alabama softball announces addition of Texas A&M transfer catcher/outfielder Riley Valentine

Alabama softball has officially announced the addition of a notable transfer portal pickup. Former Texas A&M catcher and outfielder Riley Valentine is officially on the roster, the Crimson Tide said Friday.

Valentine just wrapped up her freshman season with the Aggies, hitting .188 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 40 appearances, including 20 starts. She was the SEC Freshman of the Week in March after a home run and two RBI against Arkansas.

“Words cannot express how incredibly grateful I am for this opportunity,” Valentine said in a statement. “To take the field with ‘Bama’ across my chest with my Crimson Tide teammates is something most girls can only dream about. I’m so excited to be part of the Alabama family! Every path leads you to exactly where you’re supposed to be. Sometimes the path will be long but it will be worth it! Proverbs 3:5-6”

Valentine played high school softball at Sandra Day O’Connor (AZ) and was a Professional Girls Fastpitch (PGF) All-American as a senior. She’s the third four-year transfer addition for Patrick Murphy this offseason.

“We are so excited to welcome Riley to our softball family,” Murphy said in a statement. “She is a great young lady from an awesome family. Riley will add athleticism, pop and great leadership to our team.”

Valentine joins two pitchers as part of Alabama softball’s transfer portal class

Alabama has six new players coming aboard the roster in 2024. Former Central Arkansas pitcher Kayla Beaver is the crown jewel of the transfer class, though, and could be a key part of the plan to replace Montana Fouts. Beaver — the 2023 USA Softball Pitcher of the Year — went 25-7 with a 1.15 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 2023 before entering the portal as a graduate transfer.

Alea Johnson joins Valentine as a transfer from an SEC rival. Johnson put together a solid freshman season in the circle for LSU, finishing with a 7-1 record with a 1.41 ERA in 12 appearances, including seven starts.

Alabama is coming off a solid 2023 season as the Crimson Tide returned to the Women’s College World Series. The Tide finished with a 45-22 record overall and a 14-10 mark in SEC play. Alabama was the No. 5 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament field and made it to Oklahoma City for the first time since 2018. The season came to an end with back-to-back losses to Tennessee and Stanford.