Alabama Softball Welcomes Four on National Signing Day
The four will join the Crimson Tide next fall ahead of the 2025 season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama softball welcomed four new members to its family Wednesaday on National Signing Day. The four high school seniors will join the Crimson Tide next fall ahead of the 2025 season.
"We set out to find the best fits for Alabama softball and were extremely fortunate to find our four signees on the recruiting trail," UA head coach Patrick Murphy said. "We look forward to having these outstanding young ladies and their families represent Alabama over the next several years."
Braya Hodges
5'9" – Pitcher – Dothan, Ala. – Houston Academy
From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
- 866 career strikeouts at Houston Academy
- 3a ASWA Softball Pitcher of the Year (2022)
- 3a ASWA All-State First Team (2022)
- Dothan Diamond Classic All-Tournament team (2022)
- Houston Academy record for strikeouts with 296 (2022)
- 3a State Tournament MVP (2022)
- 3a State Champions (2022)
- Maxpreps strikeout leader Top 25 (2022)
- Central Alabama Scoreboard's Super Softball Honorable Mention (2022)
- SBLIVE Alabama Athlete of the Week (2022)
- Alliance Fastpitch All-Tournament 16u Tier 1 (2022)
- Extra Innings Top 100 2024 Pitchers (2022)
- ASWA All-State Second Team (2021)
- Montgomery Advertiser top 10 Area Softball Players (2021)
- Montgomery Advertiser top Athlete of the Week (2021)
- Dothan Eagle Super 12 (2021-2022)
- Area Champions (2021-2022)
- Montgomery Advertiser Player of the Week (2020)
- Maxprep top 50 Home Run Hitters (2020)
- Dothan Super 12 Honorable Mention (2019)
"Braya is a state champion pitcher from Dothan and has tremendous competitiveness in the circle. We love her potential to keep getting better at the collegiate level."
Mari Hubbard
5'7" – Infield – Huntsville, Ala. – Huntsville High School
From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
- No. 22 ranked player in 2024 class by Extra Inning Softball
- Tennessee Valley High School Softball Terrific 20 (1st Team) (2021-2023)
- AHSAA North-South All-Star Softball Game (2023)
- PGF Futures All-American Regional Finalist (2023)
- Alabama Sports Writer Association 7A All-State Team (2nd Team, Utility) (2021-2022)
- AL 7A Region 7 All Area Team (2022)
- Extra Inning Softball All Summer 14u Team (2020-2021)
- USA Softball High Performance Program (HPP) Region 4 (2021)
- National Club Player of the Week, Extra Inning Softball (2020)
- USA Elite Select, All American Games Direct Select (2020)
- Softball Youth All American, Silver Slugger Recipient, Home Run Derby Runner Up (2019)
- PGF Premier 12u National Champion (2019)
"We love Mari's versatility and her work ethic. She can play four positions in the infield as a righty-righty fielder. Her best days on the field are ahead of her."
Kennedy Marceaux
5'7" – Infield – Kaplan, La. – Kaplan High School
From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
- No. 8 ranked player in 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball
- Two-time Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee (2022-23)
- PGF All-American
- Seventh-place finish at PGF Nationals
- Three-time LSCA First Team All-State (2021-23)
- LSWA MVP and First Team All-State (2023)
- Two-time LSWA All-State Honorable Mention (2021-22)
- 2023 LHSAA Division III Non-Select Most Outstanding Player
- Three-time District 6-3A First Team shortstop (2021-23)
- Two-time District MVP (2022-23)
- All-Metro (2023)
- All-Parish MVP and All-Parish shortstop (2021)
- Two-time First Team All-Acadiana (2021-22)
"Kennedy comes from great high school and summer ball programs who have consistently won over the years. She has pop in her bat and is a utility-type defender. She can catch and play all four infield spots. We are very excited about her growth mindset."
Audrey Vandagriff
5'11" – Outfield – Bogart, Ga. – Prince Avenue Christian School
From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
- No. 18 ranked player in 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball
- PGF All-American Junior Team
- Three-time First Team All-State
- Three-time Region Player of the Year
- Fifth-place finish at 2023 PGF Nationals
- GACA Junior All-Star Game
- Georgia Dugout Club Senior All-Star Game
- Holds school record for home runs and stolen bases
- National Honors Society
"Audrey is one of the top athletes in the 2024 class. She is a Georgia state champion in softball and track. Her softball potential is through the roof. She comes from an athletic family with two brothers who are also Division I athletes – brother Brock is a quarterback at Georgia and sister AG is an outside hitter for Eastern Kentucky volleyball."
