TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – With the start of the 2019 season just over a week away, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and USA Softball have released their preseason national polls. Alabama is ranked No. 9 in the NFCA poll and No. 11 in the USA Softball poll.

The Crimson Tide finished last season ranked No. 14 in both polls, marking its 19th-straight top-25 finish. Since 2006, Alabama has started every season ranked in the top-10 in at least one poll.

This year's schedule features 22 games against eight teams ranked in the preseason top 25, including No. 5/5 Florida, No. 6/7 Georgia, No. 7/6 Arizona, No. 9/9 South Carolina, No. 11/10 LSU, No. 13/15 Kentucky, No. 20/20 Texas A&M and No. 24/RV Mississippi State.

Alabama opens the 2019 season Feb. 8-10 at the Troy University Tournament in Troy, Ala. There, the Tide will face the host Trojans, along with Murray State and Maryland.

For the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaSB on Twitter, BamaSB on Instagram and Alabama Softball on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.