Takeaways from the first weekend of the Candrea Classic: Alabama softball wins four out of five

The first weekend of the Candrea Classic was a promising start to the 2025 season for Alabama Softball, as the Crimson Tide went 4-1, showcasing both their offensive firepower and defensive resilience. Head coach Patrick Murphy’s team demonstrated their depth, skill, and adaptability, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting season. While the tournament provided an early look at the team’s potential, it also revealed areas that need improvement. Here’s a deep dive into the key takeaways from Alabama’s performance during the Candrea Classic.

1. Strong Offensive Start for Alabama

One of the most impressive aspects of Alabama’s performance was their offensive output. The Crimson Tide’s lineup showed that they can hit for both power and consistency, scoring runs at a high clip throughout the weekend. They averaged just under six runs per game, which is a solid mark early in the season.

The offense was led by key returners and some newcomers who made an immediate impact. Veteran hitters like Bailey Dowling, who is known for her consistent bat, and Lexi Kilfoyl, who’s also a threat at the plate, continued to set the tone. But it was also the younger players who stepped up. Freshman Kendra Lemke, in particular, made a splash, showcasing her ability to drive the ball and contributing key hits in multiple games.

In particular, the team’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, especially with runners in scoring position, stood out. The offense exhibited patience at the plate, drawing walks, making adjustments to pitchers, and avoiding unnecessary strikeouts, something Alabama struggled with in past seasons. This approach, combined with the team’s ability to produce timely hits, is a positive indicator that the Crimson Tide offense could be a force to be reckoned with this season.

2. The Pitching Staff is Solid, but Needs Consistency

While Alabama’s offense was certainly impressive, the pitching staff showed both promise and areas that need work. Lexi Kilfoyl, who is poised to be the ace of the staff, delivered solid outings. She earned multiple wins over the weekend, showcasing her ability to handle pressure situations. Her strikeouts were a key weapon, and her ability to go deep into games without surrendering too many runs demonstrated her reliability as a top-tier pitcher.

However, the pitching staff was also a bit inconsistent at times, particularly in their first game of the weekend, where they allowed several runs that could have been avoided. Early-season jitters are to be expected, especially with some of the younger pitchers getting their first significant innings at the college level. The most notable development was the performance of freshman pitcher Emily Williams, who had some excellent stretches in the circle but also showed moments of vulnerability. Her growth throughout the tournament was a bright spot, but it’s clear that she will need to continue to refine her game in order to consistently perform at the highest level.

Moreover, while the pitching staff was able to keep most of the opponents at bay, there were instances where walks and hit batters put the team in difficult positions. Alabama will need to work on controlling the strike zone more effectively as they face stronger competition later in the season. The team’s defense was good overall, but the combination of some wild pitches and walks led to unnecessary pressure on the defense, which could become more costly against tougher teams.

3. Defensive Play and Team Chemistry Are Taking Shape

One of the big questions coming into the 2025 season was how the Alabama defense would fare, especially with some changes in the infield. Early signs from the Candrea Classic were promising. The team made critical plays when needed and demonstrated strong chemistry across the field. The infield, led by veterans like Dowling and a strong middle infield with shortstop and second baseman working well together, displayed sharp fielding.

Additionally, Alabama’s outfield proved to be a defensive strength. Freshman outfielder Taylor Clark made several critical plays, demonstrating poise in the outfield. Combined with solid throws to home plate and a few well-executed cutoffs, the defensive play stood out as a key asset for the team in their victories.

However, there were some defensive lapses here and there, particularly with a few unforced errors that allowed opponents to stay in games longer than they should have. These errors will need to be addressed before the team faces more challenging competition. Still, the fact that the defense was able to step up in key moments, especially when the pitching staff needed support, is an encouraging sign.

4. Leadership Is Emerging Early

Leadership on a team is always crucial, and Alabama is fortunate to have a veteran group that has stepped into that role, especially in the early part of the season. Bailey Dowling, one of the team’s standout players, continues to be a vocal and visible leader. Her experience and ability to stay calm in high-pressure moments have been invaluable, especially when younger players have looked to her for guidance.

Additionally, Lexi Kilfoyl’s leadership on the mound was evident. As the ace of the pitching staff, she demonstrated both physical skill and mental fortitude, leading the way for the younger pitchers and showing them what it takes to succeed at this level. Her ability to be a mentor to her teammates, while also competing at a high level, will be critical to Alabama’s success throughout the season.

One thing to note is that while leadership has certainly emerged, it’s clear that this team is still figuring out how to maintain that consistency across all aspects of the game. As the season progresses, it will be important for the leadership to guide the team through adversity and help keep the focus on improvement.

5. The Competition Is Getting Tougher

Although Alabama won four of their five games at the Candrea Classic, it’s important to acknowledge that the competition is going to get more difficult as the season progresses. The Crimson Tide faced some solid but not elite teams in the early stages, and while their performances were impressive, they will need to step up their game against top-tier opponents. This early season event allowed Alabama to ease into the competition, but moving forward, they’ll face stronger pitching staffs and more well-rounded teams that will challenge them both offensively and defensively.

The key for Alabama will be maintaining their focus and continuing to build on the momentum they’ve started with. As they enter conference play and face some of the best teams in the SEC, they’ll need to tighten up their pitching, reduce errors, and ensure that their offense remains consistent. The foundation is there, but the challenge will be to build on it and avoid any complacency that can come from a strong start.

6. Freshmen Making an Impact

The Alabama softball team had several freshmen who made a significant impact during the Candrea Classic. Kendra Lemke, as mentioned earlier, had an exceptional start to her career, showing she’s ready to contribute right away. Additionally, Taylor Clark’s defensive prowess in the outfield and Emily Williams’ potential as a pitcher have already proven that this recruiting class could be one of the most impactful in recent memory.

These freshmen are not only helping to fill key spots in the lineup but are also contributing to the team’s overall depth. Alabama’s coaching staff has done an excellent job of integrating these newcomers into the program and allowing them to play to their strengths early on. As the season progresses, the continued development of these players will be crucial in Alabama’s pursuit of an NCAA title.

 Setting the Stage for a Successful Season

Overall, Alabama softball’s performance at the Candrea Classic has been a promising start to what looks to be an exciting season. With a potent offense, a pitching staff that has the potential to be dominant, and a defense that showed flashes of brilliance, the Crimson Tide are in an excellent position to compete at the highest level.

The next step will be maintaining this momentum and refining the aspects of their game that still need improvement, particularly in terms of consistency on the mound and reducing unforced errors on defense. The leadership shown by veteran players will continue to be a key factor in guiding the team through the tougher challenges ahead. If Alabama can build on this solid foundation and continue to develop their younger players, they will be a force to reckon with as the season progresses.

As always, Alabama softball has set high expectations for itself, and their performance in the Candrea Classic has demonstrated that they are on the right path toward achieving those goals. With more tough competition ahead, the Crimson Tide will need to stay sharp, stay focused, and continue to improve as they aim for another successful season in the NCAA tournament.