What Alabama softball's Patrick Murphy said about 2023 class, signing No. 1 overall prospect
Alabama softball announced three signees during the fall period on Thursday, including the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2023, according to Perfect Game Softball.
Infielder Kenleigh Cahalan will come to the Crimson Tide out of Trussville. She earned 2022 Alabama Miss Softball and MaxPreps Alabama Softball Player of the Year honors at Hewitt-Trussville High School, while being a finalist for the national Gatorade Player of the Year award in both 2021 and 2022. She has earned Premier Girls Fastpitch and MaxPreps All-American honors, while earning All-State honors every year since 8th grade.
“Kenleigh’s athleticism and work ethic pushed her to the top of the nation for this recruiting class. She’s got great pop, smooth hands and a great love of the game," Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said.
Alabama also brought in the No. 11 overall prospect, Jocelyn Briski of Phoenix, Arizona. She has a career ERA of 0.42 with 33 wins and holds the Desert Vista High School record with 737 strikeouts while holding a batting average of .517. She earned the 2022 6A Pitcher of the Year honors while being the two-time Region Player of the Year.
“We think Jocelyn has the potential to be a great collegiate pitcher. Her intangibles are off the charts. We are so excited to sign someone from the softball hotbed of Arizona," Murphy said.
GOODBREAD:For Alabama softball, streaks may die, but Patrick Murphy's program doesn't | Goodbread
TRANSFER TRACKER:Alabama softball transfer tracker: Who's coming in and out of Tuscaloosa?
The final member of the class is Lauren Johnson of Franklin, Tennessee. She is the sister of current Crimson Tide player Jenna Johnson and is an outfielder, like her older sister. She holds school records for RBIs, home runs, runs scored and career batting average at Centennial High. She earned 2022 District MVP and First team All-Midstate honors as a junior.
“Lauren has speed, pop and great game sense. She’s made web gems almost every game we’ve watched her play. For the first time in our history, we will have sisters on the same team," Murphy said.
All three will join Alabama for the 2024 season. The Crimson Tide just wrapped up fall ball and has not finalized its 2023 schedule. The Crimson Tide is looking to rebound from not advancing to a super regional for the first time since the NCAA Tournament went to that format in 2005.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball's Patrick Murphy on signing No.1 prospect, 2023 class
