Injuries force Softball’s Madi Moore into retirement: Tide down to one returning pitcher

Alabama’s third starter and reliever, Junior Madi Moore, has announced her retirement from the sport effective immediately. The Winfield product posted a 15-1 record and a 2.6 era at Alabama, while appearing in 37 games over 118.1 innings.

The press release does not specify the nature of her injuries, but Moore had suffered through a variety of nicks and scrapes in her two years on campus, including a nasty collision resulting in a suspected concussion. She also entered the program having recently returned from a serious set of knee injuries in high school.

Patrick Murphy said in the press release:

“It’s always a difficult thing to see an athlete’s career have to end because of injury,” Murphy said. “Madi has been a tremendous young lady to coach. We look forward to celebrating with her when she earns her degree from the University of Alabama.”

For Alabama, a team that relies on elite pitching more than run production, the Tide finds itself in uncertain waters. With the graduation of Sydney Littlejohn and her 17 wins (1.31 era,) that leaves the Tide just one returning starting pitcher on scholarship, ubermensch Alexis Osorio.

Murphy did sign true freshman Madison Preston from Centralia, Missouri. The 5’11” lefty should compete for Madi’s role as third starter:

She was the All-Conference Player of the Year in 2016, earning all-conference, all-district, all-region and all-state honors. She led her team to a program-record 29 wins in 2016, setting single-season records for home runs and RBIs. She plays club softball with the Demarini Aces, placing fifth at the 2016 USA Elite Select Nationals and ninth at the 2016 PGF Premier.

Alabama also picked up JUCO Courtney Geddins, a native-New Zealander with experience on the national team. She has an excellent chance to replace Littlejohn in the rotation:

Originally a native of Hastings, New Zealand, Gettins is a sophomore right-handed pitcher at Florida Southwestern. This past weekend, she led the program to its first-ever FCSAA State Championship and secured a spot in the NJCAA Division I Softball Championship to be played May 17-20 in St. George, Utah. Gettins is undefeated at 31-0 this season, owning a 0.96 ERA over 197.2 innings pitched with 198 strikeouts and just 33 walks. As a freshman, she was named the NJCAA Division-I Softball Pitcher of the Year and a NFCA All-American after going 39-6 with a 1.45 ERA while leading the Bucs to an appearance at the NJCAA National Tournament in the program's first year of existence.

She has also competed internationally with the New Zealand national team, playing at the 2013 and 2015 Junior Women's World Series and the 2014 and 2016 Senior Women's World Championship.

The roster should be fine, even though the learning curve may be apparent early with two freshman (in fact and de facto) on the roster.

Madi will stay on scholarship and will continue to work towards her degree at the University of Alabama. Best of luck to her going forward, and thanks for the two years she gave the University. Roll Tide.