Inside Pitch: 2022 Alabama Commit Larissa Preuitt Recaps Her Official Visit Last Weekend… She & Her Two Fellow Commits are “Jumping for Joy” to Be Rolling with the Tide!

Last month, we profiled outstanding senior outfielder Larissa Preuitt from Hartselle, Alabama, when she committed to the University of Alabama and last weekend she got to enjoy her official campus visit to the SEC school’s campus in Tuscaloosa—about two hours from her home.

Along with two other soon-to-be signees in pitcher Abby Duchscherer from North Dakota and catcher Marlie Giles, who’s also from in-state, Larissa got to spend time on campus and at the Ole Miss vs. Alabama football game, have dinner with her future softball coaching staff at the home of Head Coach Patrick Murphy, get her picture taken in an Alabama uniform and much more!

We’ll let Larissa pick it up from here…

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I committed to the University of Alabama on September 17, 2020, but, due to COVID, I wasn’t able to take a visit last year, so that made last weekend even more special.

Last weekend, I took my official visit to Alabama which I’ve been dreaming about ever since I committed. Fortunately, time flew by and. before I knew it, last Friday (October 1, 2021) I was on my way to Tuscaloosa!

As soon as my parents and I got there, we were greeted by the team and coaches. I was so excited to see everyone and my host was (Tide freshman infielder/catcher) Aubrey Barnhart, who was so welcoming as she showed me around campus.

I watched the softball team’s practice along with Marlie and Abby, the other two girls in my class who are committed. After practice, we toured some of the school including the Bill Battle Academic Center and the weight room with the Strength Coach Michelle Diltz.

Everything is so nice—you have everything you need to succeed on and off the field!

After the tour, we went to eat at Coach Murphy’s house with our families and the rest of the coaching and support staff. The meal was so good, and we had the best cheesecake after!

The next day, Saturday, October 2, was the Alabama versus Ole Miss game and the #1 Tide doubled up #17-ranked Ole Miss 42-21.

Before the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Marlie, Abby and I got to go on the field before the game and the atmosphere was awesome! It was unreal how many people were there cheering on the Tide!

We got to sit with the softball team during the game; they were so nice and made us feel like we were already part of the family.

On Sunday, I got to put on an Alabama uniform to take pictures in…. it was so surreal!

When I put on the jersey for the first time it felt like home. Ever since I was eight years old, I would have done anything to be able to play softball for Alabama.

It’s crazy to think that next year I will be living out my dream!

— Larissa Preuitt, Class of 2022