TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— No. 1 Alabama softball practiced at Rhoads Stadium for two hours on Thursday afternoon under gorgeous sunny skies before the Crimson Tide opens NCAA tournament play against USC Upstate .

The team spent the first 45 minutes of practice working on baser unnning and fielding before transitioning into batting practice with each hitter getting a turn at the plate to hit off of head coach Patrick Murphy and assistant Ryan Iamurri.

The pitchers worked on a couple of fielding drills but spent most of practice in the bullpen with pitching coach Lance McMahon. Here are some of my observations from Thursday's practice.

Practice notes

Freshman pitcher Vic Moten had a left leg on her sleeve, but she looked fine and was fully participating in drills with the rest of the pitchers.…