Jenna Johnson tells heartwarming story of Alabama softball playing for cancer patient
Sports are more than a silly game. No story illustrates this truth better than Alabama softball’s relationship with Madelyn Daigle.
After defeating Northwestern 3-2 on Sunday to advance to the Women’s College World Series, all eyes were on the Crimson Tide. Nonetheless, Alabama outfielder Jenna Johnson took the moment to point the attention elsewhere.
“I’m wearing this bracelet for Madelyn and she’s a little girl who’s fighting cancer right now, and so she’s been on the forefront of our minds all season,” Johnson said during the postgame press conference.
Daigle is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the St. Jude’s Children Hospital. Her hard times haven’t kept her from enjoying Alabama’s postseason run. The young girl designed custom cleats for Alabama star Ashley Prange.
Evidently, the cleats are doing their job. Prange is batting .324 this season and has amassed 46 RBI’s. Johnson believes Daigle’s boost is even more mental than it is physical.
“Since she’s been fighting and going through chemo and all the hard things that come with cancer, we know that we can fight too on the field. So, she’s been a motivation for us,” Johnson said.
Alabama will need all the motivation it can get. The team will face off against the Alabama will play SEC tournament champions Tennessee on June 1 at 12 p.m. ET. Tennessee swept Texas in the Super Regional to advance to Women’s College World Series.
History isn’t on Alabama’s side. The Crimson Tide went 1-2 against Tennessee in a three-game series in March. Nevertheless, it was no blowout. Between the three games, Tennessee scored 12 runs compared to Alabama’s 10.
“We know they have great athletes, a great pitching staff, and we played them before at the World Series. It’s nothing new,” Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. “We’ll be ready.”
While Alabama prepares for its biggest game of the season, the Crimson Tide is rooting for their biggest fan to win a far more important competition.
“I know a miracle is going to happen in her life,” Johnson said about Daigle.