Former Tuscaloosa, Alabama Star to Play for Team USA Tuesday
After a 13-year hiatus, softball returns to the main stage of the Olympics tonight. The United States, one of six teams in this year's competition, boasts one of Alabama's best on its roster.
Morris, Al. native Haylie McCleney will suit up for the American outfield and will go for her first gold medal in her first Olympics. Fans wishing to watch the Alabama alum can tune in tonight at 10 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Network.
USA will play each of the other nations in the Olympics with eyes on qualifying for the Gold Medal Game on July 27.
All 15 Olympic softball games will be held in two different venues outside of Tokyo, in Yokohama and Fukushima.
Team USA is the heavy favorite in the field with Japan nipping on their heels for the gold medal.
McCleney was a four-time All American at The Capstone and remains the Tide's career leader in batting average (.447), on base percentage (.569) and triples (16). She was All SEC Defensive team four years in a row and named to the SEC All-Freshman team. She has been on Team USA since 2014.
She has already won the World Cup of Softball gold medal twice, the Pan American Games gold medal twice and the WBSC Women's World Championship gold medal twice as a member of Team USA.