Montana Fouts emotionally reflects on Alabama career: 'I've won in life'

Montana Fouts‘ college softball career is over following Alabama‘s 2-0 loss to Stanford in the consolation rounds of the Women’s College World Series.

Stanford’s Sydney Steele hit an RBI double in the second inning and a solo home run in the seventh on Fouts to secure the victory and keep the Cardinal’s season alive. Fouts ended the bout pitching a complete game recording four strikeouts and alllowing five hits against 26 batters faced — but it wasn’t enough to advance her team in the tournament.

Fouts attempted to reflect on her collegiate career minutes after it had ended. She summed it up by thanking everyone that has ever helped her on her journey to becoming college softball’s most recognizable star.

“These people are my everything. They really are. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to spend my dream,” Fouts said following the loss. “This has always been my dream. I will have people for the rest of my life. I don’t even have the words. I don’t know if I ever will. I don’t know if I’ll ever have the words for what this place, [Patrick Murhpy], and the coaches, and these teammates mean to me.”

Fouts finished her final season with the Tide boasting a 1.92 ERA in 45 apperances (25-12). 25 of those were complete games. In 237 innings pitched, she gave up 144 hits, 51 earned runs and struck out 327 batters. Opponents batted .170 against her in 2023, which earned her First-Team All-SEC honors this season.

That is just the beginning for Fouts’ trophy room. During her dominant career on the mound, she earned the title of ‘SEC Pitcher of the Week’ 12 times, was named 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year, led her team to an SEC Championship in 2021 and was named tournament MVP. She was a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year finalist for four consecutive years — and there’s more where that came from.

Even though Fouts’ final chapter at Alabama was written a bit differently than originally anticipated, the story she wrote along the way is well worth the read.

“I’ve been thinking about [my softball career] a lot recently. I didn’t start playing the game of softball just to win a national championship. I started playing because I love it. I love the game. I love the struggle that it brings me sometimes,” Fouts said. “[Patrick Murphy] has taught me to be an overcomer. I love that. I love that about our team. I love the memories. I love my teammates. I love that it’s brought me a family.

“That would have been great, but I’ve won in life.”