Fouts Makes Three Appearances in Two Days, Bama Stays Perfect

Alabama Softball kept its record perfect on Saturday after taking down Texas and Miami (OH) at Rhoads Stadium. Alabama's starters against Texas (RHP Jaala Torrence) and Miami (RHP Alex Salter) were both pulled after 3.1 innings pitched and the Tide was forced to lean on NFCA Pitcher of the Year Montana Fouts to secure the win on three separate games in just two days following her start on Friday.

"The crowd was awesome. They're the greatest fans in college softball, but they're also the most knowledgeable," said Alabama coach Patrick Murphy.

"I don't know how they do it, but they get that feeling when we need a little boost and they give it to us."

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Game 1:

The Crimson Tide offense struggled to support sophomore right-hander Jaala Torrence in the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against Texas. Torrence would walk in Texas' only run of the game before being pulled for Fouts in the fourth.

Alabama only managed four hits in the game but was able to capitalize on defensive mistakes from Texas, ultimately taking the final lead in the third inning.

Torrence finished the day with 3.1 innings pitched, one strikeout, five walks, and one earned run. Fouts' first Saturday appearance ended with her eighth win on the year and four strikeouts in 3,2 innings pitched.

Game 2:

The Alabama offense continued to struggle early in the second half of the doubleheader with Miami (OH) and ended up with fewer hits (3) than its first appearance on Saturday. Sophomore RHP Alex Salter gave up a home run in the second inning forcing Alabama to play from behind twice on the same day. Salter was removed for Fouts in the fourth inning as well after 3.2 innings pitched, two strikeouts, three hits and the earned run.

A two-run home run from sophomore infielder Bailey Dowling in the bottom of the fifth inning all but took the wind out of Miami's sails. Montana Fouts shut down the Miami offense and ended her third game in 24 hours with 3.2 IP, seven strikeouts, two hits and just one unearned run allowed.

Fouts had another career weekend for the Crimson Tide in her three appearances. While the plan wasn't exactly to lean on her this much in the course of three games, the longevity Fouts brought was needed due to the absence of RHP Lexi Kilfoyl.

Combining Fouts' three appearances for the weekend so far, she's pitched 14.1 innings for 20 strikeouts and just three earned runs from a total of 249 pitches. The senior is now 9-0 through her six starts, has 86 strikeouts and has only given up five earned runs through a team-leading 51.2 innings pitched.

Alabama will host Miami again on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at Rhoads Stadium in hopes of extending their season start to 20-0. A game with Eastern Illinois was scheduled for Monday, however, the threat of severe weather has canceled the contest.

Following the weekend, Alabama opens up SEC play with a three-game series with LSU on the road in Baton Rouge, LA. The series starts on Friday at 6 p.m. CST.

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