Montana Fouts secures final out to send Alabama to Women's College World Series

Montana Fouts found herself needing just one more out to send Alabama to the Women’s College World Series. With the Crimson Tide up 3-2 in the seventh inning against Northwestern in the third game of a Super Regional series on Sunday, Hannah Cady stepped up to the plate looking to keep the Wildcats alive.

Already a tense moment, the at-bat grew even more suspenseful as Cady reached a full count. That’s when Fouts rose to the occasion to deliver a pitch right down the middle that Cady swing and missed at. Afterward, her teammates rushed to celebrate with her as Alabama became the eighth team to punch its ticket to Oklahoma City.

You can view the moment below.

The Crimson Tide is coming for you, OKC! 🥳#RoadToWCWS x 🎥 ESPNU / @AlabamaSB pic.twitter.com/LBAcc8zMqa

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 28, 2023

It wasn’t a perfect inning for Fouts, who gave up a home run just two at-bats earlier to Maeve Nelson. However, she stepped up when it mattered most and finished the game with two strikeouts while allowing four hits in 3.2 innings of work.

Fouts missed Regional action with a knee injury but returned to pitch in the final three games of Super Regional action against Northwestern. She ultimately mustered 9.1 innings across those contests, recording a total eight strikeouts including the decisive one Sunday.

For the season, Montana Fouts is Alabama’s leading pitcher with an ERA of 1.48. Not only that, but she also leads the NCAA with 319 strikeouts and will be a pivotal part of the Crimson Tide’s chances as they head to the WCWS.

The Women’s College World Series appearance is the 14th in program history for the Crimson Tide as well as their third in the past four tournaments. Alabama will open WCWS play with a matchup against familiar SEC foe Tennessee at 12 p.m. ET on Thursday at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

Alabama comes out hot after weather delay to take down Northwestern

Lighting delayed Sunday’s game for nearly an hour in the third inning, but the Crimson Tide didn’t let that slow them down. Once play resumed, Alabama loaded the bases with two singles and a walk.

Finally, Ally Shipman singled down the third base line to bring in the first two runs of the entire game. Although Fouts allowed a run in the fourth to make the game 2-1, Jenna Johnson once again made it a two-run game with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth.

Northwestern ultimately had seven hits compared to five for the Crimson Tide, but Alabama managed to make the most of its opportunities. Johnson led the team with two hits while three others recorded one apiece.