Kalen DeBoer arrived in Tuscaloosa with plenty on his plate, only to find even more challenges piling up. Between coaching staff changes, a 9-4 season, and the relentless grind of rebuilding Alabama’s football dominance, his transition was anything but smooth. To add to his struggles, he lost a defensive assistant though securing Ryan Grubb’s return helped stabilize the situation. Just when it seemed like things were coming together, fate threw him another curveball, and this one hit close to home.
His own daughter, Alexis DeBoer, an outstanding softball player, delivered a stunning blow against Alabama. Playing for Washington, she crushed a three-run home run, establishing herself as a serious threat to the Tide. Her sister, Avery DeBoer, proudly celebrated the moment on Instagram, posting, “LETS GO 3 HOMERUNS TODAYYY.” And why wouldn’t she? Washington came out swinging, quite literally.
Alexis made an immediate impact, launching a deep shot to center field in the first inning, just beyond Kristen White’s reach. Her three-run homer gave Washington an early 3-0 lead, momentarily shifting the momentum. However, Alabama wasn’t down for long. Larissa Preuitt answered in the fourth inning with a solo homer, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Then, in the sixth, Alabama did what they do best took over. Down 1-2 in the count, a clutch swing sent the ball soaring over the right-field wall, giving Bama a 4-3 lead. The Tide then tacked on three more runs, sealing a 7-3 victory and extending their perfect start to the season.
This wasn’t Washington’s first loss to Alabama over the weekend, as they had already fallen 5-1 in the season opener. Alexis, ranked No. 11 in the 2024 recruiting class, showcased her talent with three hits across the weekend, including her standout homer against her father’s team. While it might have been an unusual moment for Kalen DeBoer, Alexis’ decision to play for Washington was made long before her father’s coaching move.
Despite Kalen’s shift to Alabama, Alexis never wavered in her commitment to Washington, drawn in by head coach Heather Tarr’s leadership and the program’s strong academic-athletic balance. She never considered transferring simply because of her father’s job change, proving that she’s more than just “Kalen’s daughter.” She’s carving her own path as a Husky.
Reflecting on her choice, Alexis said, “I chose the University of Washington because it felt like home and everybody was so inviting. It is a great balance of academics and athletics, and you receive so much support for anything you need.” With her father’s support from the opposing dugout, she continues to make a name for herself. It’ll be exciting to see what more she accomplishes in the coming games.
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