Patrick Murphy Reaches Milestone as No. 3 Alabama Softball Secures Series at Auburn

Longtime Alabama head coach becomes first in SEC history to record 500 conference wins.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:38am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, multi-perspective painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric planes in crimson, navy, orange, and blue, conceptually representing the intensity and energy of a high-stakes softball rivalry game between Alabama and Auburn.Alabama's softball dominance is captured in a cubist, geometric rendering of the rivalry matchup with Auburn.Auburn Today

Longtime Alabama softball head coach Patrick Murphy became the first coach in Southeastern Conference history to record 500 SEC wins as the No. 3 Crimson Tide beat Auburn 4-0 on Saturday. Freshman pitcher Vic Moten tossed a one-hit shutout, and Brooke Wells hit her 17th home run of the season to lead Alabama to the series-clinching victory.

Why it matters

This milestone victory for Coach Murphy highlights Alabama's sustained excellence in softball, a program that has been a powerhouse in the SEC for decades. The win also keeps the Crimson Tide in contention for a top regional seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The details

Moten was brilliant in the circle, throwing just her third complete game of the season while lowering her ERA to 1.53. Wells continued her torrid power display with her 17th home run, giving Alabama a two-run lead in the third inning. The Crimson Tide added insurance runs late, with Jena Young and Ambrey Taylor driving in runs.

  • Alabama (38-3, 11-3 SEC) has now won its first five conference series for the first time since 2014.
  • The teams will play the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The players

Patrick Murphy

Longtime head coach of the Alabama softball team who became the first coach in SEC history to record 500 conference wins.

Vic Moten

Alabama freshman pitcher who tossed a one-hit shutout in Saturday's game.

Brooke Wells

Alabama junior outfielder who hit her 17th home run of the season, continuing her power-hitting campaign.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is the 30th year of Alabama softball and the coolest part about it is that I've been here from day one, two years as an assistant and 28 as the head coach. I know every young woman who has played here, I know their families, I know what they're doing now, where they're working, the whole thing. It's one of the biggest blessings of my life.”

— Patrick Murphy, Alabama Head Coach

What’s next

The teams will play the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The takeaway

Coach Murphy's historic 500th SEC win underscores Alabama's status as one of the premier softball programs in the country, with a sustained run of excellence over three decades. The Crimson Tide remain in the hunt for a top regional seed in the NCAA Tournament as they continue their push towards another championship.