The 1 area Alabama softball needs to improve in the WCWS semifinals
Alabama softball doesn't have many weaknesses, but there's one area from the Nebraska game the Crimson Tide will want to improve against Texas Tech.
Olivia Bennett 
There is very little to critique regarding this Alabama softball squad. As the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, the Crimson Tide have remained undefeated throughout their run in the Women’s College World Series.
Cleaning up the outfield
Despite their dominance, there was a minor point of contention during the win over Nebraska on Saturday: communication among outfielders at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
"That’s the benefit and the curse of having 13,000 people at a game," Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy explained. "You can’t hear anybody."
The deafening atmosphere led to miscommunication on two fly balls during the 5-1 victory. Both balls dropped to the grass, each resulting in an error. Murphy notably called his outfielders in during the game to reiterate the importance of non-verbal signals.
"One of the things we practice at our field at practices is if it’s a large crowd, which we usually have, you use your arm as well to say I got it, I got it, I got it," Murphy said. "They were all encouraged to do that ‘cause, I mean, it’s a tough error. They should have been caught, both of them."
Looking ahead to the semifinals
While these defensive miscues did not spoil the result against Nebraska, consistency will be vital as the intensity climbs. Alabama looks to continue its championship pursuit in the WCWS semifinals against Texas Tech, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Monday. A win in this matchup puts the Crimson Tide one step closer to the finals.
Defensive lapses have been rare for this group. According to the ESPN broadcast, Alabama had only committed eight errors over their previous 10 games before the Nebraska matchup.
Competing at Devon Park presents a unique environment due to the sheer size of the crowds. As the stakes rise and the Crimson Tide get closer to a potential national title, the team must prioritize clear communication—using both voices and waving arms—to ensure their otherwise stout defense remains error-free as they hunt for the trophy.
