"Both those teams were written off & so were we" — Alabama HC Patrick Murphy draws comparisons between softball, football & basketball seasons

Alabama Crimson Tide softball coach Patrick Murphy believes there are similarities between his team and the program's men's football and basketball teams. Murphy pointed out how all three teams had their chances of success written off early on before storming back into contention.

Nick Saban's football team was ranked No. 4 in the preseason poll but dropped nine spots after losing to Texas in the second game of the season. However, they embarked on an 11-game winning streak to reach the Rose Bowl, where they lost to Michigan.

Meanwhile, the men's basketball team led by Nate Oats lost five of its first 11 games, before steadying the ship and finishing with a 25-12 record, which included a Final Four loss to UConn.

Murphy's team, meanwhile, possesses a 33-17 record, but went 10-14 in SEC play.

"It's so weird how our season has somewhat mirrored football, somewhat mirrored men's basketball," he told the press. "Because, at times, both of those teams were written off, and so were we. And, you know, we're still standing and we got a long way to go but, I think everybody feels really good about it and, you know, why not use that to our advantage?"

Alabama begins its NCAA journey with win against USC Upstate

The Crimson Tide, seeded 14th, defeated USC Upstate 1-0 at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Friday to kick off their NCAA Regional journey.

The win was the 1300th of Murphy's career and ensured Alabama maintained its winning streak on the opening game of Regional weekend. The Crimson Tide have not been beaten in such games since 2003.

They will face Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday after the Lady Lions defeated Clemson 6-2.