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Washington's Alexis DeBoer, daughter of Kalen DeBoer, hits first career home run vs. Alabama

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•02/08/25•

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Washington softball's Alexis DeBoer hits first career home run vs. Alabama
Screenshot courtesy of @UWSoftball/X

In her third college softball game at Washington, freshman infielder Alexis DeBoer hit her first career home run. She did so against a familiar foe, though.

DeBoer launched a three-run home run to center field in the bottom of the first inning against Alabama on Saturday, putting Washington ahead 3-0 early. Of course, her dad Kalen DeBoer is the Crimson Tide’s football coach, but she stayed in Seattle to play softball after he replaced Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa.

Saturday marks Washington’s second game in as many days against Alabama during the Candrea Classic at Arizona to open the season. It also served as a memorable moment for Alexis DeBoer – in more ways than one.

DeBoer is one of two freshmen to arrive at Washington this season. She was a four-star prospect and the No. 59 overall player and No. 3-ranked player in the state of Washington from the 2024 cycle, according to Softball America. She was also one of 170 freshman named to Softball America’s freshman watch list ahead of the 2025 season.

DeBoer signed with Washington in September 2022, just after her dad began his first season as the Huskies’ football coach. He spent two years in Seattle, totaling a 25-3 overall record and a 16-2 mark in Pac-12 play before leading UW to the national championship in 2023. That’s when Alabama came calling, bringing him aboard to replace Saban after he announced his retirement.

Now, Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide are going through a pivotal offseason. Alabama went 9-4 this past season, missing out on the College Football Playoff. The program has been busy on the recruiting trail, though.

The Crimson Tide have the No. 3-ranked class in the country after the late Signing Period, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. That group is headlined by Five Star Plus+ quarterback Keelon Russell – the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Alabama also made a splash on its coaching staff, hiring Ryan Grubb as offensive coordinator. He was a crucial part of those teams at Washington under DeBoer, and after a year with the Seattle Seahawks, he will now – at last – make his way to Tuscaloosa.

“Ryan Grubb has been someone that I have trusted for a long time and adding him to our staff only improves the quality of coaches we have here at Alabama,” DeBoer said in a statement. “He is one of the best offensive minds in the country, and I can’t wait to see what he brings to our organization moving forward.”