Alabama softball players, coaches and support staff will take a 10-day trip to Italy, the Crimson Tide's third international trip in the last decade.

"When I started at Alabama, I always thought traveling internationally with the team would be a great experience," UA head coach Patrick Murphy said, "and after previous trips to the Netherlands and Japan, I can attest that this is 100 percent true. This opportunity is priceless. Experiencing a different culture is one of the best things a young person can do."

The trip starts in Venice, a three-day stretch that includes a pair of doubleheaders against the Italian national team. From there, the Crimson Tide will travel through Ferrara, Bologna, Florence, Parma, Lake Como and Milan before returning home to Tuscaloosa.

Trip Preview Story

Updates will be posted to the blog throughout our trip so check back every day!

Sunday, July 16

After a week of practicing, one final scrimmage before the trip officially begins on Monday!

Kali Heivilin scrimmages at Rhoads Stadium before the team's trip to Italy (July 16, 2023) — Kali Heivilin

Jenna and Lauren Johnson scrimmage at Rhoads Stadium before the team's trip to Italy (July 16, 2023) — Jenna (left) and Lauren (right) Johnson

Emma Broadfoot scrimmages at Rhoads Stadium before the team's trip to Italy (July 16, 2023) — Emma Broadfoot

Alex Salter scrimmages at Rhoads Stadium before the team's trip to Italy (July 16, 2023) — Alex Salter

Bailey Dowling scrimmages at Rhoads Stadium before the team's trip to Italy (July 16, 2023) — Bailey Dowling

Jocelyn Briski scrimmages at Rhoads Stadium before the team's trip to Italy (July 16, 2023) — Jocelyn Briski

Monday, July 17

And we're off! A long flight awaits us but knowing we'll land in Venice makes it worth the wait!

Tuscaloosa??Atlanta??Venice

See you soon Italy!#TheItalyTour23 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/sPuw9aCb8u
— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) July 17, 2023

Tuesday, July 18

Even with the jetlag, everyone made the most of their first full day in Italy as we expored historic Venice. Catching up on some sleep tonight before playing our first of two doubleheaders against Team Italy tomorrow!

The canals of Venice (July 18, 2023) — The canals of Venice

Ally Shipman, Abby Duchscherer and Montana Fouts in Murano (July 18, 2023) — (L-R) Ally Shipman, Abby Duchscherer and Montana Fouts

A plaza in Venice (July 18, 2023) — A quiet plaza in Venice

Alabama softball players in front of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice (July 18, 2023) — (L-R) Kat Grill, Kali Heivilin, Alex Salter, Emma Broadfoot and M'Kay Gidley in front of St. Mark's Basilica

A bakery in Venice (July 18, 2023) — A bakery in Venice

Alabama softball support staff walking the alleyways of Venice (July 18, 2023) — Alabama coaches and support staff stroll the back alleys of Venice

Wednesday, July 19

Today was the first of two meetings with Team Italy as they prepare for group play at the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup! We played two five-inning games in Ronchi and will be back for another pair tomorrow!

Gallery: (7-19-2023) 07-19-23 WSB vs Team Italy

Alabama team after playing Team Italy (July 19, 2023) — Alabama postgame vs. Team Italy

Kendal Clark exchanges gifts pregame vs. Team Italy (July 19, 2023) — Kendal Clark and Alabama teammates exchange gifts with Team Italy pregame

Bailey Dowling vs. Team Italy (July 19, 2023) — Bailey Dowling

Kenliegh Cahalan and Kali Heivilin vs. Team Italy (July 19, 2023) — Kali Heivilin and Kenleigh Cahalan

Jaala Torrence vs. Team Italy (July 19, 2023) — Jaala Torrence

Kali Heivilin vs. Team Italy (July 19, 2023) — Kali Heivilin

Lauren Johnson vs. Team Italy (July 19, 2023) — Lauren Johnson

Alex Salter and Kali Heivilin vs. Team Italy (July 19, 2023) — Alex Salter and Kali Heivilin

Jocelyn Briski vs. Team Italy (July 19, 2023) — Jocelyn Briski

Kendal Clark vs. Team Italy (July 19, 2023) — Kendal Clark

Thursday, July 20

Another great day of softball against Team Italy wrapped up our time in Venice. We are off to Bologna tomorrow!

Gallery: (7-20-2023) 07-20-23 WSB vs Team Italy

The Italy Tour travel party (July 20, 2023) — #TheItalyTour23 Travel Party

Lauren Johnson vs. Team Italy (July 20, 2023) — Lauren Johnson

Kenleigh Cahalan vs. Team Italy (July 20, 2023) — Kenleigh Cahalan

Jocelyn Briski vs. Team Italy (July 20, 2023) — Jocelyn Briski

Larissa Preuitt vs. Team Italy (July 20, 2023) — Larissa Preuitt

Patrick Murphy vs. Team Italy (July 20, 2023) — Patrick Murphy

M'Kay Gidley, Ryan Iamurri, Kali Heivilin and Jenna Johnson vs. Team Italy (July 20, 2023) — (L-R) M'Kay Gidley, Ryan Iamurri, Kali Heivilin and Jenna Johnson

Jenna Johnson celebrates a home run vs. Team Italy (July 20, 2023) — Jenna Johnson rounds second after a solo shot

Kali Heivilin celebrates a home run vs. Team Italy (July 20, 2023) — Kali Heivilin celebrates at home after a two-run home run

Jaala Torrence exchanges gifts with Team Italy (July 20, 2023) — Jaala Torrence and the rest of Alabama Softball trade gifts with Team Italy

Friday, July 21

On our way to Bologna after leaving Venice, we made a quick stop in Ferrara to tour the Castello Estense and then headed to the vineyard at Palazzona Di Maggio for an amazing tour. Not to mention, we had to celebrate Larissa Preuitt's birthday! We will take the train into Florence tomorrow for a day of exploring!

Alabama softball at Castello Estense in Ferrara (July 21, 2023) — Alabama Softball at Castello Estense in Ferrara

Kenleigh Cahalan, Larissa Preuitt and Marlie Giles at Castello Estense in Ferrara (July 21, 2023) — Kenleigh Cahalan, birthday girl Larissa Preuitt and Marlie Giles

The vineyards at Palazzona Di Maggio (July 21, 2023) — The vineyards at Palazzona Di Maggio

Alabama softball at Palazzona Di Maggio (July 21, 2023) — Alabama Softball at Palazzona Di Maggio

Saturday, July 22

After checking in to our hotel in Bologna last night, we took the train into Florence for a day trip. Everyone had a great time exploring (and shopping) the historic city streets.

Alabama softball players walking together in Florence (July 22, 2023) — Walking the city streets of Florence

View of Florence (July 22, 2023) — A view of the city

Along the Arno River in Florence (July 22, 2023) — Along the Arno River

Associate Head Coach Alyson Habetz in Florence (July 22, 2023) — Associate Head Coach Alyson Habetz strikes a pose in Florence

The outside of the Duomo in Florence (July 22, 2023) — Outside the historic Duomo in Florence

Sunday, July 23

Another day of exploring, this time in Bologna. Everyone's inner chef came out as we took a cooking class at Portici Academy. Everyone's garganelli and tortelloni was delizioso! Tomorrow we check out of our hotel and have an afternoon in Parma before checking in at our next hotel at Lake Como.

The Italy Tour travel party in Bologna (July 23, 2023) — #TheItalyTour23 travel party in Bologna

Downtown Bologna (July 23, 2023) — The city center of Bologna

Jaala Torrence, KJ Haney and Kristen White at lunch in Bologna (July 23, 2023) — Jaala Torrence, KJ Haney and Kristen White

Alabama softball players at lunch in Bologna (July 23, 2023) — Kat Grill, M'Kay Gidley, Marlie Giles, Larissa Preuitt and Kenleigh Cahalan

Jenna Johnson, Lauren Esman and Bailey Dowling at a pasta cooking class in Bologna (July 23, 2023) — Jenna Johnson, Lauren Esman and Bailey Dowling at our pasta cooking class

Lauren Johnson, Jocelyn Briski and Abby Duchscherer at a pasta making class in Bologna (July 23, 2023) — Lauren Johnson, Jocelyn Briski and Abby Duschscherer getting into today's cooking class

Alabama softball team after a pasta making class in Bologna (July 23, 2023) — Everyone with our amazing pasta chef instructors!

Monday, July 24

En route to our next destination, we made a quick afternoon stop in Parma, famous for its Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan cheese) and Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham). A winding mountain road gave us a great preview of our next destination, Lake Como, which we'll get a full day to explore on Tuesday!

Bailey Dowling and Abby Duchscherer take a selfie in Parma (July 24, 2023) — Bailey Dowling and Abby Duchscherer take a selfie in Parma

Alabama softball players walking through the streets of Parma (July 24, 2023) — (L-R) Larissa Preuitt, Marlie Giles, Kenleigh Cahalan, Alex Salter, Kali Heivilin, Kendal Clark, Kat Grill,
M'Kay Gidley and Emma Broadfoot

Inside one of the many historic churches in Parma (July 24, 2023) — Inside one of the many historic churches in Parma

Alyson Habetz and Ryan Iamurri in Parma (July 24, 2023) — Alyson Habetz and Ryan Iamurri

Adam Arbour leads coaches and support staff around Parma (July 24, 2023) — Adam Arbour leads a group fo coaches and support staff through Parma

Tuesday, July 25

Possibly the most scenic day we've had in Italy...Lake Como is stunning! Only one more day in Italy for us tomorrow as we head to Milan before flying home Thursday

Michele Diltz and Patrick Murphy lead a morning hike

Patrick Murphy, Kent Gidley and Michele Diltz after the hike

Wednesday, July 26

Lunch in Como before departing for Milan! A bittersweet day because it marks the end of our Italy Tour. We fly back to the US tomorrow morning!

A quick selfie for M'Kay Gidley, Jaala Torrence and Lauren Johnson in Como

Patrick Murphy and Alyson Habetz at the Milan Duomo

Thursday, July 27

It was a long flight back but Alabama Softball landed safely back in the United States! While it's good to be home, we all loved every second we had in Italy. It was an amazing bonding experience and gave us memories to last a lifetime. Thank you to everybody that helped make The Italy Tour possible!

#Team28 can't wait to see everybody back at Rhoads Stadium soon!

Alabama softball and Team Italy pose together after a scrimmage (July 20, 2023) — Alabama Softball and Team Italy

University of Alabama Athletics

#TheItalyTour23