Sumiton Christian’s Sides enjoys first year at Alabama

reposted from the Daily Mountain Eagle

Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Kendall Beth Sides’ first year with the Alabama Crimson Tide Softball team was a building experience she believes will serve to strengthen her career, both on and off the field.

Sides started in five games for the Crimson Tide, as well as playing in a total of 44 games. She scored nine runs, recorded two RBIs, hit .261 and stole five bases for her freshman season.

Overcoming an injury in the fall, Sides was released to begin action in February, motivating her to give all she could for the team.

“I was able to get in a few at-bats this season — what was really special was that I got the last hit of the season when he played Washington, which I feel was a huge confidence booster as a player,” Sides said. “We lose a few infielders this year, so I’m looking forward to being able to play infield next season. It’s something I haven’t done in a while, but I played infield most of my time at Sumiton Christian. Overall, my first season was a great experience and I couldn’t have chosen a better school to go to.”

Sides also was able to play under coach Patrick Murphy, an experience she enjoyed greatly and built a good relationship with assistant coaches Alyson Habetz and Stephanie Prothro.

“Being a player under our coaching staff was all that I could have hoped for and then some. I could always go up to coach Murphy and talk about anything — regardless if it was or wasn’t about softball. With coach Aly, we’d meet once a week and have little devotions, as well as having conversations about God, her gifts and my gifts in and outside of softball,” Sides said. “They are 100 percent what you get when you meet them.”