First pitch: Alabama softball plays five games in Atlanta.

The Buzz Classic kicks off a new era of Alabama softball in Atlanta at Georgia Tech’s home field. The Crimson Tide’s Montanamania has faded, but these ladies still wear “Alabama” on the front of their jerseys. The Yeller Jackets anticipate large audiences, with many games including standing room only.

SCHEDULE
Thursday, February 8 – Villanova 5 p.m. CT
Friday, February 9 Longwood 10 a.m. CT
Friday, February 9 Georgia Tech 3 p.m. CT
Saturday, February 10 Longwood 12:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, February 10 Georgia Tech 3 p.m. CT
How to Watch… ALLEGEDLY
The two games against Georgia Tech will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra (ACC’s streaming platform). The other games lack a platform unless an industrious fan creates one.

Georgia Tech
Last season, the Yellow Jackets went 26-27 with an ACC record of 7-17. They are led by Aileen Morales, a former GT star who is in her seventh season as head coach at Tech. The Jackets once had a solid Top 25 program, but they’ve suffered since capturing the ACC title in 2012. Madison Dobbins, a sophomore in 2023, hit.336. Sara Beth Allen hit 13 home runs and had 35 RBIs. The top two pitchers, Blake Neleman (11-11, 3.95) and Chandler Dennis (13-9, 4.03), have returned.

VILLANOVA
Who knew this Philadelphia college fielded a softball team? The Wildcats finished 37-22 last season, winning the Big East regular season (18-6). However, they were defeated by Seton Hall in the conference final game and did not go to the softball tournament. They competed against teams such as Stanford (two 0-3 losses), Auburn (two losses), UNC (win), Wisconsin (one run loss), and Boston College (split two games). Many starters return for the Wildcats, including Big EAST POY Tess Cites (.378, 7 HR, 45 RUNS, 45 RBI) and Ava Franz (.356, 8 HR, 32 RUNS, 32 RBI). Kat Gallant (15-6, 2.85) is the leading returning pitcher.

LONGWOOD
Longwood institution is a public institution in Farmville, Virginia, founded in 1839. They remained mainly nameless in sports until the early 2010s, when the institution made a determined attempt to boost the athletics department’s visibility. The Lancers have won the Big South regular season in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2023, led by Megan Brown, the 2023 Big South Coach of the Year since 2020. They, like Villanova, were upset in the conference tournament the last two years and did not make the “Big Dance Diamond”. Last season, LU notably defeated Florida State 5-4 in Tallahassee early in the season and then beat a rated Duke team. In 2023, the Lancers also suffered 5-0 and 8-0 losses against Alabama and Montana Fouts in Tuscaloosa. Their finest offensive player, Jaden Pone, has transferred to Ole Miss. Aside from her, Longwood’s top three hitters are back. The top two hurlers return as well.

WEATHER
Atlanta expects highs in the 60s with sporadic showers on Friday evening and into Saturday.

LOWDOWN
Although these are road games, the Crimson Tide should have a big turnout. On paper, they will play a faltering ACC program and two non-power clubs that have historically defeated other non-Ps but struggle against the Big Girls. Regardless, any of these teams might jump up and bite Alabama in the rear if they are not careful.

These early games are an opportunity to experiment and gain a better understanding of who will be the primary contributors on the diamond. The Tide should sweep, but 4-1 looks more likely as they figure out who they are as a group.

#RollTide, #Team28