Alabama's Patrick Murphy Becomes First SEC Softball Coach to Reach 500 Conference Wins

Crimson Tide shuts out Auburn 4-0 to clinch series, extending Murphy's historic career milestone

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:51pm

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A cubist, geometric painting in shades of crimson and navy blue, capturing the dynamic motion and energy of a softball game through fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes.Patrick Murphy's 500th SEC win as Alabama's head coach is a testament to his program's sustained excellence and his lasting impact on the conference.Tuscaloosa Today

Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy made Southeastern Conference history on Saturday, becoming the first softball coach in the league to ever reach 500 SEC wins. The Crimson Tide shut out Auburn 4-0 on the road, securing the weekend series for Alabama and extending Murphy's remarkable 28-year tenure as the program's head coach since its inception.

Why it matters

Murphy's achievement of 500 SEC wins is a testament to his longevity and sustained excellence in building Alabama into one of the premier softball programs in the country. As the Crimson Tide continue their quest for another conference title, this milestone underscores Murphy's lasting impact on the sport and the SEC.

The details

In the series-clinching victory, Alabama pitcher Vic Moten threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just one hit and three walks. On offense, seven different Crimson Tide players recorded at least one hit, including home runs from Brooke Wells, her 17th of the season. The win was Alabama's second straight shutout over Auburn, marking the first time since 2014 the Crimson Tide have won their first five conference series to start the season.

  • On Saturday, April 11, 2026, Alabama defeated Auburn 4-0.
  • This was Murphy's 500th career SEC win as Alabama's head coach since 1999.

The players

Patrick Murphy

The head coach of the Alabama softball team since 1999, becoming the first SEC softball coach to reach 500 conference wins.

Vic Moten

The Alabama pitcher who threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just one hit and three walks in the win over Auburn.

Brooke Wells

The Alabama player who hit her 17th home run of the season, tying for seventh place on the program's single-season home run record.

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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

The takeaway

Patrick Murphy's historic 500th SEC win underscores his unparalleled tenure and success in building Alabama into a national softball powerhouse. His longevity and commitment to the program have cemented his legacy as one of the most influential coaches in the history of the sport.