"It's a blessing and a curse": Alabama softball HC Patrick Murphy compares team to great franchises like Cowboys and Yankees as they advance to WCWS

Alabama softball head coach Patrick Murphy was beaming with pride after the Crimson Tide made the College World Series for the second year in succession. In his 26th season as coach, Murphy has made a team that has developed a habit of reaching the pinnacle of college softball on a consistent basis.

Soon after this success, Murphy drew an interesting parallel between his team and two of America's most successful franchises: MLB's New York Yankees and the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.

"It’s a blessing and a curse, this. It’s Alabama football, it’s the New York Yankees, it’s the Dallas Cowboys. I mean, seriously. I always use those references," Murphy said.

In fact, under Patrick Murphy, the Crimson Tide became one of only three teams to reach the College World Series more times than they have not, a point he was keen to underline with pride.

"We’re only one of three schools in the country that have been to the World Series more than we haven’t and it’s remarkable. Arizona and UCLA are the other two," Murphy said.

The 58-year-old was also keen on shedding light on the journey, which began by playing high schools with slow pitchers.

"Alabama? When I started, we were playing slow pitching high schools! That’s how far we’ve come. This is unbelievable!"

Since taking over from Kalum Haack as Head Coach in 1999, Patrick Murphy has transformed the Crimson Tide. They have made the NCAA Division I Tournament every year since then and, including this season, have reached the College World Series 15 times.

Murphy also led the team to six regular season titles and five of their six SEC Tournament wins. In addition, the Crimson Tide have also made the Super Regionals in every season since 2005.

However, despite this success, they have just one College World Series victory, which came over a decade ago in 2012. Along with being Alabama's first and only win to date, it was also the SEC's first national softball championship win in its history.

Patrick Murphy-led Alabama softball to begin College World Series on May 30

The Crimson Tide will begin their road to the College World Series final by taking on sixth-seeded UCLA Bruins in the first game of the Winners' bracket. Prior to their departure to Oklahoma, they were warmly received by their fans in Tucsaloosa, who gave Murphy and his players all their love and blessings.

Patrick Murphy and the Alabama Crimson Tide meet their well-wishers before leaving for Oklahoma.

Patrick Murphy will be keen on leading his team to another final and hopefully, their second College World Series victory. However, the 14th seed have their work cut out for them as they could face 2nd seed Oklahoma Sooners in the next round.