LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Alabama softball coaches were named Division I South Region Coaching Staff of the Year on Monday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

The UA staff was one of 10 staffs nationwide to be honored with the regional awards. Head coach Patrick Murphy, assistants Alyson Habetz and Stephanie VanBrakle, volunteer assistant Adam Arbour and director of operations Kate Harris were cited for the award.

Alabama finished 51-14 overall, 17-8 in SEC play, and made the program’s 11th trip to the Women’s College World Series as one of eight teams to advance to the national championship event.

The Crimson Tide won 50 games for the 10th time in the last 12 seasons and advanced to the World Series for the third year in a row. Alabama won the Tuscaloosa Regional, beating Cal in the final, and the Tuscaloosa Super Regional, sweeping Washington in two games, to make it to Oklahoma City. UA was the No. 6 overall seed.

Alabama also won the program’s 1,000th game in April.

The regional coaching staff winners are eligible for the NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year Award, which will be announced June 29.

Other regional winners were Oklahoma (Central), Michigan (Great Lakes), Notre Dame (Mid Atlantic), South Florida (Mideast), North Dakota State (Midwest), James Madison (Northeast), Fresno State (Pacific), Auburn (Southeast) and UCLA (West).