Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy says using Montana Fouts was a 'possibility' vs. MTSU

Montana Fouts’ availability has been a major storyline heading toward the College World Series. The health of the star pitcher for Alabama has been a significant question heading into the regional portion of the tournament.

However, following their advancement to the Super Regionals, head coach Patrick Murphy suggested that she nearly made her return this evening against MTSU. Had it not been for the performance by Jaala Torrence, the Crimson Tide were prepared to go with her in order to get them across the finish line against the Blue Raiders.

Alabama Patrick Murphy said it was a "possibility" to use Montana Fouts today but opted not to because Jaala Torrence was "dominating" against MTSU.

— James Benedetto (@james_benedetto) May 21, 2023

Fouts has been one of the sport’s best pitchers over his collegiate career with the Tide. Still, a leg injury has hampered her down the stretch of the season and now into the postseason.

Even so, ‘Bama found a way without her. Offensively, Ally Shipman’s homer gave them the one-run lead that they needed to secure the win. On defense, though, Torrence’s eight strikeouts over seven innings of play were enough to hold MTSU scoreless.

The program can look at this victory through two different lenses. On one hand, it’s a credit to them for advancing to the next round without a significant part of their team. On the other hand, it sounds like Fouts’ return could be right around the corner if Murphy was truly as close as he says he was to sending her in.

Alabama survives nail-bitter, advances to Super Regional

Alabama got all they could handle in their regional matchups against MTSU from Tuscaloosa. After taking care of business against the Blue Raiders on Saturday, the host then dropped their second game against the Conference USA opponent.

That left one game this afternoon to decide the final spot in the Super Regionals. Thanks to graduate catcher Ally Shipman, though, the Crimson Tide left nothing to chance as they advanced to the next round due to the margin that came from her solo home run at the bottom of the seventh.

ALLY. FREAKIN. SHIPMAN.@ally_shipman

📺ESPNU | https://t.co/VXCbn5E3rb#Team27 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/LeUSJGtXWX

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) May 21, 2023

Found a way! We'll see everybody back at Rhoads next weekend for Super Regionals!#Team27 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/W74DnEMunI

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) May 21, 2023

Questions surrounding Montana Fouts heading into the weekend had many thinking that ‘Bama could be vulnerable on their home field of Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa. They put that thought to rest early considering their pair of wins over LIU and MTSU by a combined score of 17-5.

Still, after dropping Sunday’s first game by a score of 4-1, Alabama surely needed Shipman’s heroics to get across the finish line. Her score took the Tide to next weekend where they’ll now await the winner out of the Evanston Regional between Northwestern and Miami (OH).