The softball teams from the
University of Alabama and Middle Tennessee State University will meet in
Decatur to play a game in honor of Priceville native Danielle Richard, a senior
on the University of Alabama team. Hosted by the Decatur Parks and Recreation
and the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the game is set
for Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex located
in Decatur. The first pitch will be thrown at 6:30 p.m.
Each season, the University of
Alabama Softball team plays a game in or near the hometown of each senior. The
April 8th game will honor Danielle Richard, a senior from
Priceville, Ala. “This game is so special to me. It’s a great opportunity to show
my family and people all around Priceville how awesome Alabama softball is,”
said Ms. Richard. “Playing for the University of Alabama has been such a
blessing. The coaches and my teammates have taught me so much more than just
softball. They have taught me how to be a hardworking, selfless servant leader
and I have learned many things I believe will help me be successful in the real
world. Playing softball for Alabama has far exceeded my expectation of college
softball. It has truly been an amazing experience.” Danielle is the daughter of
Michelle Richard and Harold Richard.
“We are looking forward to
bringing Alabama softball up to the Decatur/Priceville area in April. I know
how much work has been put into this event by a bunch of people. It should be a
really fun homecoming for Danielle,” said Head Coach Patrick Murphy.
Alabama returns 13 players from
last year’s team that made it to the Women’s College World Series championship
just two years after winning it all in 2012, the first for the school and the
SEC. Five of the 13 returnees are seniors while the Crimson Tide also welcome
five freshmen to the squad. Head Coach Patrick Murphy, returning for his 17th
season at the helm, has overseen an incredible run of success at Alabama
including 10 SEC titles, nine Women’s College World Series trips and
16-straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Twenty-one players have
combined to earn 45 NFCA All-American awards in program history, including
current junior Haylie McCleney, already a two time All-American. The Tide have
also been equally as successful off the field, garnering 18 Academic
All-American nods. At least one Tide player has been named an Academic
All-American every season since 2008, including a program-record four in 2014.
The Middle Tennessee softball
team, led by third-year head coach Jeff Breeden, is made up of 19 players. The
team returned six players from last year’s squad and 13 newcomers on this
season’s roster. MT finished last season 10-45 overall while over 60% of its
offense left due to transfer or graduation. This season, the Blue Raiders
started 7-3 for their best start since 2004 and defeated Louisville in the Dot
Richardson National Invitational.
Tickets are $10/person general
admission and may be purchased beginning Monday, March 30 at Fort Decatur
located at 610 4th Avenue SE in Decatur and will remain on sale
until all are sold. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can also order and
pay for tickets by calling 256.341.4588. Certain rules will apply to ticket
purchases.
On Monday, March 16, 2015,
the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a “Lunch
with Champions” at noon at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion. The luncheon will feature
Patrick Murphy, head coach of the University of Alabama Softball Team, and
Danielle Richard. Cost to attend the luncheon is $10 per person. Seating is
limited and anyone interested in attending must RSVP by March 12th
by calling 256.350.2028.
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