Although the Crimson Tide continues its 2024 campaign, transfer portal season is also in full swing. For some inconvenient reason, the NCAA decided that the portal should open on May 19 and close on June 17.
So for the teams that are still alive, it’s a dual task of trying to win postseason games and recruiting. Obviously, the Bama coach Patrick Murphy was able to juggle these two tasks and he needed to look no further than the opposing dugout in late February to land his first transfer for next year’s team. Alexis Pupillo of Northern Iowa announced via social media that she will be joining the Tide next season.
I am very excited to announce that I will continue my education and softball career at the University of Alabama. I would like to thank GOD, my family and Coach Murphy and his entire coaching staff for blessing me with this opportunity! ROLLING TIDE ❤️@UACoachMurphy pic.twitter.com/uRCMQpeho6
– Alexis Pupillo (@AlexisPupillo) May 28, 2024
As a freshman, Pupillo hit .442 with 14 doubles, 16 home runs and 44 RBIs. Last season his BA fell to a still impressive .324 but with more power of 19 HR and 54 RBI.
During the season, his .466 on-base percentage was equal to that of the Oklahoma All-American. Tiara Jennings. His .779 slugging percentage is 31st best in the country and also 338 points higher than Bama’s leading hitter, Kenleigh Cahalan (.441).
At this point you ask yourself “Great, but can she hit power pitching?»
There aren’t many players who can say they were touched by Alabama. Kayla Castor and Auburn Maddie Penta this season. Pupillo can. She actually hit a four bagger against Penta. She also knocked one out of the park against Arkansas. In a game against Arizona, she produced an RBI sac fly and stole two bases. In six games against those four teams, she hit .308 with two homers and five RBIs. Oddly enough, she was also hit by five pitches in those games.
Coincidentally, Northern Iowa is Murphy’s alma mater. He has always held the torch for his old school and often schedules them as they did this season, a 1-0 Bama victory. UNI won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season this year, but was upset in the tournament championship 3-2 and missed the NCAA tournament.
Pupillo has started all 50 games for UNI this season. She was the Panthers’ leading receiver. Alabama will probably have both Riley Valentine And Marlie Gilles back next year as receivers. One of these three rising juniors will likely move to first base, especially with Emma Broadfoot excluding eligibility. Like Valentine and Giles, Pupillo has two years of eligibility remaining.
