Alabama softball’s Murphy, Briski earn national awards
Crimson Tide is No. 1 seed for Women’s College World Series
Olivia Bennett 
The hardware keeps rolling in for the Crimson Tide as the program gears up for a championship run. 205focus.com has confirmed that Alabama softball has received major recognition on the national stage.
Top Honors for Briski and Murphy
In awards announced by D1Softball.com on Wednesday, junior pitcher Jocelyn Briski was tabbed as Pitcher of the Year, while head coach Patrick Murphy earned the distinction of Coach of the Year. The recognition comes as Alabama (54-7) prepares to enter the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City as the No. 1 seed.
A Dominant Campaign
Briski has been a force in the circle for the Crimson Tide. The Phoenix, Arizona native boasts a 22-3 record with a stellar 1.30 ERA. Over 33 appearances and 25 starts, she has racked up 198 strikeouts, 15 complete games, six shutouts, and four saves. Her standout season also includes SEC Pitcher of the Year honors, first-team All-SEC selection, a first-team All-American nod by Softball America, and a spot as a Top 10 finalist for the USA Softball Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, Patrick Murphy continues to cement his legacy in his 28th season, leading Alabama to its 16th Women’s College World Series appearance. Murphy, who was also named the 2026 SEC Coach of the Year for the sixth time, guided the Tide through a demanding campaign where they claimed seven of eight conference series and finished as runners-up in both the SEC tournament and regular-season standings.
National Award Roundup
Other national honors announced by D1Softball included Florida State’s Isa Torres (Player of the Year), Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells (Freshman of the Year), and Duke’s Tyrina Jones (Comeback Player of the Year). Rounding out the awards, Belmont’s Maya Johnson was named Mid-Major Player of the Year, and Saint Mary’s Sonja Garnett earned Mid-Major Coach of the Year honors.
Up Next
The road to a title begins Thursday as No. 1 seed Alabama faces No. 8 seed UCLA. The opening pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central in Oklahoma City, with fans able to catch the action on ESPN2.
