Patrick Murphy on coaching success: 'It's a credit to all the young ladies that play in the Alabama jersey'

The 2024 NCAA Softball Tournament is in full swing, and the Super Regionals are taking place on Friday in Knoxville, Tennessee between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers. It’s the 18th appearance in Super Regionals for the Tide softball program. In the fourth inning, Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy took a few minutes to speak with the ESPN2 crew.

Patrick Murphy gave all the credit to his players on Friday

“Thank you so much. Amazing. But you know what, I’ve never hit a ball, I’ve never fielded a ball, and I’ve certainly never pitched a ball in a game. So, it’s a credit to all the young ladies that play in the Alabama jersey. And we’re just happy to be here, you know. What a great atmosphere. Great crowd. Sellout crowd for college softball. You guys, ESPN2 here. We’ve got the legend of Tennessee on the game here…and it’s just a great environment,” Murphy said.

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He made a change in his lineup, putting a lot of speed at the top of the lineup order. What has that done to reinvigorate his offense?

“Nobody at the ballpark except Kristen White gets a triple out of that. A ball that she hit, what, 100 feet maybe. And it’s a triple. Nobody does that. And she scores on a wild pitch. So, speed skills and speed never slumps. One thing if I can, I wanna say congrats to Deanna Gumpf of Notre Dame, who just retired this week. One heck of a career, and Deanna, we’re gonna miss you in softball. You’re a great, great lady,” Murphy said.

Tennessee won Game 1 of the Knoxville Regional 3-2, after they had to come from behind to get the victory.

Alabama scored in the first inning off of a wild pitch from Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens. In the top of the second inning, the Tide scored again after Riley Valentine got on base, bringing home Marlie Giles. Tennessee then battled back in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring all three of their runs to take the 3-2 lead over the Crimson Tide.

And that would be the final score. Tennessee is now one win away from the 2024 Women’s College World Series.