Alabama softball’s quest to becoming national champions once again resumes in Oklahoma City this week.

Team 27, as they refer to themselves for being the 27th group in program history, has rallied with a mixture of veteran leadership and newcomers to get back to the Women’s College World Series for the 14th time. Now, starting with a familiar opponent, that group will try to win Alabama’s first national title since 2012.

“The first time I was here, I think, was 1993 with Southwestern Louisiana,” Murphy told reporters gathered at the USA Softball Hall of Fame complex. “My associate head coach, Aly (Habetz), was on the team. I cannot tell you the differences of the facility, this. It is just remarkable. If I had a son, and he played in Omaha, I want him to have the best experience of his life playing college baseball at the highest level. If I had a daughter, I would want her to have the exact same experience playing at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. It’s getting closer. I applaud the NCAA, the committee, for doing that. And I can’t wait to get going.”

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Alabama’s last trip to Oklahoma City ended one win short of the championship finals. The Tide won its first three games before losing twice to national runner-up Florida State. To get back there, Alabama (45-20, 14-10 SECE) will need to be, as Murphy put it, “the little engine that could” take down a juggernaut lik Tennessee (49-8, 20-5) on Thursday at 11 a.m. CST on ESPN.

Tennessee holds a 3-1 edge in games played against Alabama this season. When the Tide and Lady Volunteers met in Knoxville, the Tide took the middle game of a weekend series before Tennessee eventually eliminated Alabama from the SEC tournament two months later. Alabama has failed to contain sophomore Lair Beautae all year, with the infielder hitting two home runs and producing 9 RBI against the Tide.

“There is no advantage that we have on Alabama, no advantage that Alabama has,” Tennessee coach Karen Weekly said. “I think it alleviates a little bit of the uncertainty that you feel when you watch a team on film, but then step in the batter’s box, that looks a little bit different than it looked on film. It kind of takes that part away from it.”

Tide ace Montana Fouts, meanwhile, struggled in both her outings against the Lady Volunteers, but her catcher Ally Shipman said she’s noticed more focus from Fouts after that series. Murphy, recognizing the challenge of facing a team that has yet to lose in the postseason (8-0), called Tennesee the favorite tomorrow.

Fouts, who Murphy said continues the “daily process” of rehabbing her extended left leg, had a good answer when asked about the pain she’s still dealing with:

“Honestly, God has blessed me with a lot less pain than you probably would think. Pain is temporary. I’ll feel that some other day,” Fouts said.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].