Montana Fouts reacts to Alabama's Tuscaloosa Regional victory

When the Alabama softball team received their seeding for the 2023 NCAA Softball Tournament, they were faced with an immediate challenge. The Crimson Tide lost their star starting pitcher Montana Fouts in the team’s quarterfinal matchup versus Arkansas in the SEC Tournament to a knee injury, a massive loss to one of the key catalysts to their success.

The Crimson Tide still earned the No. 5 seed and hosted Central Arkansas, Middle Tennessee, and Long Island in the Regionals, but had to do so without Fouts on the mound for them. Alabama handled business and secured two wins to start off the Regional, but a loss to Middle Tennessee on Sunday forced a winner-takes-all final game the same day.

The Crimson Tide came out on top in their biggest game of the season, defeating Middle Tennessee 1-0 as Fouts watched and celebrated from the bullpen in a bittersweet moment for the fifth year senior.

Montana Fouts' reaction as Alabama secured the final out to win the Tuscaloosa Regional pic.twitter.com/5wHzDhIkYT

— Tony Tsoukalas (@Tony_Tsoukalas) May 21, 2023

Tide Illustrated writer James Benedetto reported after the game that Alabama head softball coach Patrick Murphy said there was a “possibility” to use Fouts Sunday but opted not to because Jaala Torrence was playing so dominant.

Torrence was dominant in Alabama’s must-win game, pitching a season-high seven innings with a season-high eight strikeouts on the day. She pitched a shutout and allowed just five hits on the day keeping Middle Tennessee off the scoreboard. And in the seventh inning, a solo home run from catcher Ally Shipman gave the Crimson Tide the one point they needed to help the Crimson Tide advance to their sixth Super Regional under Murphy.

Torrence’s elite performance was special to see, but there’s no doubt that the Crimson Tide would like Fouts back into their lineup sooner than later. Fouts led the nation in strikeouts this season with 311 and ended the regular season with a 1.44 ERA. She’s earned First Team All-SEC honors for the fourth time in her career this season and is a former NFCA All-American and Pitcher of the Year award winner.

Fouts threw Sunday morning under the supervision of Dr. Lyle Cain, determining that she would be available on an if-necessary basis versus Middle Tennessee. But now with a full week to rest, the Crimson Tide’s ace could make a fully healthy return for their Super Regional matchup.

With or without Fouts, No. 5 Alabama will take on No. 12 Northwestern in the Tuscaloosa Super Regional Friday, May 26.