Four Time All-American Haylie McCleney Reflects on a Storied Alabama Softball Career [Audio]

The Alabama Crimson Tide finished their 20^th season of college softball Saturday afternoon in the Women’s College World Series.

Throughout the season, head coach Patrick Murphy and the Alabama softball program saluted the seniors on the 2016 squad and numerous former players who built Crimson Tide softball into a national power.

One of Alabama softball’s all-time greats, Haylie McCleney, reflected on her storybook career for the Crimson Tide on the Gary Harris Show.

The four time All-American looked back on her playing days at Alabama and previewed this week’s WCWS best of three championship series between Auburn and Oklahoma.

After falling to LSU 6-4 in their final WCWS game, McCleney elaborated on what led her to make her comments during Saturday’s post-game press conference and expressed gratitude for head coach Patrick Murphy and the coaching staff.

“I was just saying what was on my heart. I’m so appreciative to been part of this athletic department in general but especially a part of the softball program with what Coach (Patrick) Murphy, and Coach Aly (Habetz), and Steph (VanBrakle) and Adam (Arbour) and the entire staff do for us on a daily basis. It prepares us for life ahead, and it was the best four years of my life, and I wanted everyone to know that.” McCleney said.

McCleney described the recruiting process coming out of high school and what separated Alabama as her school of choice.

“I had some offers from some other SEC schools and a few Pac 12 schools. The biggest thing that stood out to me with Alabama was family. It was a family atmosphere. I felt at home. It was genuine.” McCleney said.

The former Alabama center fielder elaborated on how the players accepted her during the recruiting process.

“I got on campus and the girls on the team hugged me. They didn’t come over and check my gear. They didn’t just blow me off. They came over, and they hugged me and they genuinely cared about me as a person not just as a player." McCleney said.

Catch the Gary Harris Show every weekday from 9-11 AM on Tide 99.1 and the radioPup app.