kie Traina brings a rare two-way dynamic to the Crimson Tide softball team. “She’s so valuable,” head coach Patrick Murphy said. “Even when she doesn’t pitch, she’ll be hitting, and even when she does pitch, she’ll still be on the lineup.” Traina has already made her presence known this season, striking out a career-high 15 batters against Jacksonville State and only allowing one hit during the game. The 3-0 win against Jacksonville State took her record to 3-0. In the batter’s box, Traina put together a 28-game hitting streak last season, which was the second longest in school history. “When she gets on a hot streak hitting, nobody can get her out,” Murphy said. Last season, she had a 19-5 season with a 1.70 ERA on the mound last season. She also averaged over one strikeout an inning, sitting down 190 batters in 156 1/3 innings of work. Murphy said he believes Traina is capable of breaking all of the pitching records at the school. “I told my friend that I have a kid that’s our version of Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram,” Murphy said. “She’s that good in our sport. If she played football, she would be up for the Heisman trophy.” Traina was recently named to the USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List and earned the MVP at the Mardi Gras Invitational. Traina showed her patience and power at the plate last year when she drew 29 walks, while also hitting 15 home runs. “She’s a great teammate, but she’s also very level-headed,” Murphy said. Traina said her goal as a pitcher this year is to just help out her team any way she can. “We always say that if the other team never scores, then we’re going to win,” Traina said. “My job is to keep the team in the game.” Traina said the competitiveness of the game gives her the passion for the sport. “I like being in tough situations, especially on the mound,” Traina said. “I like being able to compete in life and on the softball field. When things get tough, that’s when I have the most fun.” Murphy said he first saw Traina as an eighth- and ninth-grader, after her coach at the time mentioned he should keep up with her. “He was right,” Murphy said. “We started following her, and you could tell she was going to be good.” When the pressure gets to Traina, she said her team is always there to help her. “I lean on my team,” Traina said. “I always tell them what’s on my mind, like if I’m not having a good day. Having such a great team behind me relieves the pressure on me.” Traina said she is constantly growing as a player during her time on the team. “I had to catch on quickly to how fast the game goes,” Traina said. “I’m having a lot more confidence in myself as a pitcher and as a hitter here.” Though focused on the diamond, Traina still knows how to relax. A native of Naples, Fla., she said she can be found on the beach almost every day during offseason. “I try to stay away from softball as much as possible, so I can relax and try not to think about it,” Traina said. “That way, when I get back, I feel rejuvenated.” Murphy said one of her best qualities is that she’s a great teammate. “I’d love to play behind her if I was a defender because she gives it everything she’s got all the time,” Murphy said. Traina and the Tide will play next at the SEC/ACC/Big XII Challenge in Auburn, Ala., Friday through Sunday.