With an 8-0 start on the season, the Alabama softball team will play at home for the first time this season as it hosts the annual Easton Bama Bash.

Head coach Patrick Murphy said his team was looking forward to being back in Tuscaloosa for the weekend.

“We can’t wait to play in front of our home fans and on our turf,” he said. “It’s been a long, long time since we’ve been home for a real game. I know the six seniors are looking forward to it.”

Senior Cassie Reilly-Boccia said returning home for her last opening weekend at Rhoads Stadium was unreal.

“It’s weird to think this is the last season we all get to play as a senior class,” Reilly-Boccia said. “This is definitely a good time in my life right now, getting ready to go into opening weekend.”

The Tide will face East Carolina University and North Dakota State University in double headers both Friday and Saturday. Alabama will then play Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on Sunday. Although not easily recognized teams, Murphy was quick to point out the threat each team poses.

“When you have a non-name recognition school, it scares you the most as a coach because we know all three of these teams are capable of beating us,” he said.

“North Dakota State shocked the world and beat Oklahoma at home last year in Regionals. East Carolina has reached Regionals the past three years. SIUE is just recently part of Division 1, but they won several national championships in Division 2, so they have a program that knows how to win. They have our attention.”

Reilly-Boccia, who was named a candidate to Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award earlier in the week, said no matter what opposing team is listed on the scoreboard, the biggest opponent Alabama will play will always be itself.

“We always say our opponent is always ourselves in the game,” Reilly-Boccia said. “We never play a perfect game. We’re going hard at it this week. We’re trying to respect every team we play, no matter who it is.”

One of the most difficult tasks for Murphy this season has been deciding a rotation schedule. With such a large and talented roster, he said it’s been difficult but will use this weekend to give everybody playing time.

“Everybody’s been taking advantage of the opportunities they’ve been given,” he said. “That’s the most encouraging sign, that they take advantage of it. It’s making my job much more difficult to put 10 names to a lineup. It’s going to be interesting to see, but we’re definitely going to use everybody on the roster. Everybody gets more opportunities.”

Senior Olivia Gibson said the competitiveness of this team can be attributed to the closeness of the entire squad and not just senior leadership.

“We have a great group of seniors who just love everybody on the team,” Gibson said. “I think the family we have and the support we have for each other is great, and it’s not about the seniors. It’s about everybody having their best year.”

The Tide will begin the Bama Bash Friday at 4 p.m. playing East Carolina, followed by North Dakota at 6.