Fall Softball Has Arrived for the Tide
Alabama softball is gearing up for its first fall ball game on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The Tide will face Itawamba Community College in a doubleheader. Tickets are priced at $10 for the general public and $5 for students with a valid ID. Fans can expect to see familiar faces along with several newcomers.
Before heading to Rhoads Stadium, supporters may want to take note of the new additions to Team 29. Here’s a brief look at each new player:
Commits:
Braya Hodges - A right-handed freshman pitcher from Dothan, Alabama, Hodges recorded 866 strikeouts at Houston Academy. She was named the 3A ASWA Softball Pitcher of the Year in 2022 and earned a spot on the 3A ASWA All-State First Team that same year. She also ranked among the Top 25 strikeout leaders on Maxpreps in 2022.
Mari Hubbard - An infielder from Huntsville, Alabama, Hubbard was ranked No. 22 in the 2024 class by Extra Inning Softball. She was a PGF Futures All-American Regional Finalist in 2023, finishing her high school career with a .420 batting average, 70 RBIs, and five home runs.
Kennedy Marceaux - An infielder from Kaplan, Louisiana, Marceaux was ranked No. 8 in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball. She was nominated for Gatorade Player of the Year twice (2022-2023) and concluded her senior season with a .615 batting average, 50 RBIs, and 21 home runs.
Audrey Vandagriff - An outfielder from Bogart, Georgia, Vandagriff was ranked No. 18 in the 2024 class by Extra Innings. She has been named to the First Team All-State three times and has also been a three-time Region Player of the Year. As a junior, she posted a .641 batting average, 38 RBIs, and 12 home runs.
Transfer Portal:
Emily Winstead - A senior pitcher from UNC Wilmington, Winstead had a standout previous season, going 13-8 with a 1.93 ERA, helping the Seahawks secure a Coastal Athletic Association title and an NCAA Tournament spot. She was named CAA Pitcher of the Year as a true freshman in 2022.
Catelyn Riley is a dominant pitcher who has played three seasons at Ole Miss, compiling a career record of 24-18 and a 2.96 ERA over 86 games.
Alexis Pupillo is a junior transfer from Northern Iowa, where she achieved a .382 career batting average, hit 35 home runs, and drove in 98 RBIs. She is a two-time NFCA All-Region selection and was named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in her 2023 season at UNI.
Brooke Ellestad, an infielder, played one season at Louisiana, earning NFCA All-Central Region Third Team and All-Sun Belt First Team honors. In the 2024 season, she recorded a .395 batting average, 54 RBIs, and nine home runs. Before her time at Louisiana, she spent two years at St. Thomas in Minnesota, where she achieved a .404 career batting average, 12 home runs, and 64 RBIs.
Salen Hawkins played one season at Mississippi State and has three years of eligibility remaining. The infielder started 52 games at second base, finishing with a .294 batting average, three home runs, and 26 RBIs. A native of Phoenix, Arizona, she previously played high school ball with Jocelyn Brisk and traveled with Riley Valentine.
Returning:
Outfielder Kristen White
Outfielder Kinley Pate
Infielder Abby Duchscherer
Outfielder Larissa Preuitt
Utility player Kendal Clark
Catcher Riley Valentine
Infielder Kali Heivilin
Pitcher Jocelyn Briski
Utility player Marlie Giles
RHP Alea Johnson
Outfielder Lauren Johnson
More From Tide 100.9
