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Alabama Softball: Who is staying, who is leaving?

Since the introduction of the transfer portal, it has become a tradition for underclassmen, and even seniors who have one eligible season remaining due to the COVID year, to announce their plans for the next season once their respective season concludes.

That has been the case for Alabama Softball. Since their season came to an earlier than usual end last Sunday in the Tuscaloosa Regional, a total of ten athletes have declared their 2023 season plans, with six electing to join the transfer portal.

Monday, Jenna Lord and Abby Doerr announced that they would be exploring their options in the transfer portal. Tuesday, four more announced their plans to join Lord and Doerr in the portal.

Here’s a look at who is staying, and who plans to leave as of May 25:

Montana Fouts- Staying

May 22, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts (14) pitches during the regional final Sunday at Rhoads Stadium. Alabama defeated Stanford 4-0 to force a deciding second game. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News
Ncaa Softball Ncaa Tuscaloosa Region Final Stanford Cardinal At Alabama Crimson Tide

Since joining the roster as a true freshman in 2019, pitcher Montana Fouts has become synonymous with Alabama Softball. So fans were relieved to find out Tuesday that the ace pitcher would be using her final season to remain in Tuscaloosa.

Fouts tweeted “You’ll proudly see me wearing the A next year. I don’t have to think twice about that.”

Ashley Prange- Staying

Alabama’s Ashley Prange celebrates after scoring a run at Rhoads Stadium Sunday, April 3, 2022. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 9-3. Gary Cosby Jr./Tuscaloosa News
Alabama Vs Georgia Sec Softball

One of the players who transferred into the program last season, Ashley Prange, also tweeted Tuesday her plans to return to Alabama for her final season of eligibility.

Prange says that transferring to Alabama was the best decision of her life, and that she is locked in for next season.

The transfer from Ohio State finished the season with the second-highest batting average with .340. She recorded 27 RBI with 8 home runs in 2022.

Ally Shipman- Staying

May 7, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama hitter Ally Shipman connects with a pitch in Rhoads Stadium Saturday. The Crimson Tide defeated Missouri 3-1 in game two of the weekend series. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News
Softball Alabama Vs Missouri

Another product of the transfer portal is staying at Alabama.

Shipman, who transferred from Tennessee, will remain at Alabama after tweeting “Roll Tide FOREVER. Team 27, let’s do this”

Shipman has been a valuable addition to the Alabama lineup. She led the Tide in average (.357), hits (56), and RBI (46). She is tied for 2nd behind Bailey Dowling for home runs with 8.

Jenna Johnson- Staying

May 20, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama left fielder Jenna Johnson (88) makes a sliding catch for an out against Chattanooga at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa Friday. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News
Ncaa Softball Ncaa Tuscaloosa Regional Alabama Vs Chattanooga

One of the more consistent faces in the Crimson Tide lineup has been Jenna Johnson. Johnson, who will be a true senior in 2023, joined Fouts, Shipman, and Prange in announcing her plans to return to Alabama for her senior season.

She tweeted Tuesday, “I will ride or die for this program and these people. My loyalty is with Alabama so ROLL FREAKING TIDE.”

Johnson started in 50 games for Alabama in 2022, hitting 5 home runs and scoring 24 runs.

Jenna Lord- Leaving

May 20, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama infielder Jenna Lord (11) is hit by a pitch as she bats against Chattanooga at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa Friday. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News
Ncaa Softball Ncaa Tuscaloosa Regional Alabama Vs Chattanooga

Jenna Lord was one of the first players to announce their intentions to enter the transfer portal. Extra Innings Softball broke the news Monday.

Lord, a native of Trussville appeared in 45 games for Alabama this season, making 30 starts. She hit .289, which was 5th highest on the team. She also recorded two home runs and 19 RBI in 90 at-bats.

Abby Doerr- Leaving

Alabama designated player Abby Doerr takes a big swing during the game with Evansville Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, during the Easton Bama Bash at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Easton Bama Bash Alabama Vs Evansville

Doerr joined Jenna Lord in announcing her planned departure from the program on Monday.

Doerr hit .227 for Alabama this season with one home run and 17 RBI. She appeared in 43 games with 35 starts, primarily at catcher.

Lexi Kilfoyl- Leaving

Alabama pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl pitches against Florida State. The Crimson Tide fell short in a 6-5 loss to Florida State Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Rhoads Stadium.
Florida State Vs Alabama Softball

Now, here come the surprises.

Lexi Kilfoyl has complimented Montana Fouts well over her three seasons in a Crimson Tide uniform, making Alabama one of the best teams in the nation as far as pitching goes. That’s why Kilfoyl’s decision to enter the transfer portal somewhat shocking.

However, it is easy to see why Kilfoyl would want to test the waters. In 2022, Kilfoyl tossed 80 innings, striking out 79 and walking just 32 batters while holding an ERA of 2.36. With Fouts announcing her return, Kilfoyl has two years remaining, and may want to use this as a chance to become an ace for another program. She definitely has the skill and the numbers to do so.

Dallis Goodnight- Leaving

May 22, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama centerfielder Dallis Goodnight (6) makes a diving catch in right centerfield for an out. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 6-0 to claim the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional title Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News
Ncaa Softball Ncaa Tuscaloosa Region Final Stanford Cardinal At Alabama Crimson Tide

Another player who started in 45+ games is announcing her intentions to transfer.

She was one of the highest-rated high school prospects for the 2021 class, signing with Alabama as the top-rated outfielder, as well as a top-five overall player by FloSoftball.

Goodnight appeared in 53 games for Alabama, starting in 47 of them. In her lone season at Alabama, Goodnight hit .306, which was third best on the team. She hit one home run and drove in eight runs.

Megan Bloodworth- Leaving

Alabama hitter Megan Bloodworth connects for a home run as she bats against UNA Tuesday, April 20, 2022, at Rhoads Stadium. Gary Cosby Jr./Tuscaloosa News
Alabama Vs Una Softball

Another highly-touted freshman has elected to spend just one season in Tuscaloosa.

Megan Bloodworth, a freshman from Crisp County High School in Cordele, Ga. won the 2021 Georgia Gatorade Softball Player of the Year award prior to enrolling at Alabama.

Bloodworth had an amazing start to her Alabama career by hitting two home runs in her first collegiate game, one of those being a grand slam. Bloodworth finished the season third in home runs with seven, and second on the team in RBI with 30.

Savannah Woodard- Leaving

Alabama’s Savannah Woodard fields the ball during an NCAA softball game against Liberty on Thursday, Feb 13, 2020, in Clearwater, Fla. Alabama won 7-1. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)

Injury kept Savannah Woodard from what was destined to be a great season in 2021.

Woodard was sidelined due to a sprained ankle during the February 20 game against Middle Tennessee, and returned March 12 in time for the LSU series.

Because of that missed time, Woodard only competed in 40 games for Alabama, where she hit .176 with a home run and five RBI.

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