SEC Network honors Montana Fouts following final game of illustrious career at Alabama
In her five years at Alabama, Montana Fouts didn’t lose much — 32 times, to be exact. That includes Friday, and it proved to be the last of her career.
Fouts took the circle in the Women’s College World Series against Stanford for what turned out to be the final time. Two RBI from Sydney Steele, including a home run in the top of the seventh, helped send the Cardinal past Alabama 2-0 and into the next round of the WCWS.
For the Crimson Tide, it meant the end of a season. But for Fouts, it meant the end of an impressive five-year career in T-Town — one the SEC Network captured in a graphic following the loss.
Fouts’ numbers at Alabama speak for themselves. She ends her career with a 100-32 overall record, 1,181 strikeouts, four no-hitters, 35 shutouts and an ERA below 2.00. She could’ve walked away after the 2022 season when the Crimson Tide got knocked out in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament, but in true Montana Fouts fashion, she came back to help will her team back to the WCWS.
It wasn’t easy toward the end, though. Fouts suffered a hyperextended knee in the SEC Tournament, which knocked her out until the NCAA Tournament. Donning a big brace on her left leg, she still went out into the circle when called upon, as head coach Patrick Murphy only called on her in certain situations.
One of those moments came against Northwestern in the supers, when she got the save to send Alabama back to the WCWS. But Friday’s start was the biggest yet, and Murphy knew it.
“Holly, you’ve seen her for five years,” Murphy told ESPN’s Holly Rowe during Friday’s game. “She is, I’ve said it before, I’ll say it right now, she is the grittiest, most resilient kid I’ve ever had in the circle. She wants to be out there so dang bad and I have to give her a shot. I have to give her a shot.”
Alabama had its back against the wall once again after losing a game in both the regional and super regional rounds of the tournament. Although Fouts looked strong — she threw a complete game with four strikeouts and allowing five hits across seven innings — the offense couldn’t do much against a strong Stanford pitching staff.
Now, Fouts’ time with Alabama is over. There is no longer a COVID-19 year for her to possibly come back and lead the charge again. She left her mark on the game, both at Alabama and beyond, even despite the tough way to go out.