The Crimson Tide have gone undefeated in back-to-back weekends to up their record to 10-0. This weekend the Tide traveled the Tuscon, Arizona and came back with their fourth and fifth shutouts and their fourth mercy rule win (leading by eight or more runs after five innings).
If you have not jumped on the Montana Fouts (4-0) bandwagon yet, make your way over to Rhoads to check out the pitching phenom. First off, what a cool name. She is named after two legendary quarterbacks. But seriously folks... in 27.0 innings, the 6’1” freshman has 33 strikeouts and nary a walk. She has given up one earned run for a minuscule 0.27 ERA.
A few other Tide players have joined in with Bailey Hemphill (1.381 OPS) and Kaylee Tow (1.411 OPS) in the hit parade. Dora, Alabama native KB Sides got hot with six hits in 18 at bats and drove in six runs over the weekend. Maddie Morgan went 4 for 10 with 3 RBI to raise her average to .391. Claire Jenkins is third on the team in OPS at 1.216.
PITCHING
Coach Patrick Murphy knew what he was doing when he added transfers Krystal Goodman (2-0, 0.78 ERA) and Sarah Cornell (3-0, 0.98 ERA) to the team. They have been solid behind Fouts.
SCORES
Alabama 2 USF 0 - Fouts (W, 3-0) again dominated the opponent yielding only three singles and recorded 12 Ks and no walks over seven innings. Jet lag must have dogged the offense because the Tide did not get on the scoreboard until a fifth inning leadoff homer by Merris Schroder. Kaylee Tow scored an unearned run on a bases loaded passed ball in the sixth.
Alabama 1 New Mexico 0 - Friday’s Game Two again leaned heavily on the pitching with Krystal Goodman and Sarah Cornell combining for a 4-hit shutout. Alabama’s only run came on a single and double in the top of 7th. Not to make excuses but the Lobos had a Thursday game with Arizona rained out and were well rested coming into this game, having not played since the previous Saturday.
Alabama 7 Cal State Fullerton 2 - The Tide finally got he bats going on Saturday picking up five runs in the first two innings. Tow was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI. Cornell (W, 3-0) made one mistake giving up a fifth inning two-run homer for her first runs allowed on the young season. Beyond that, she was solid.
Alabama 6 Arizona 1 - The big showdown with the #9 Wildcats was all Alabama. I’m running out of superlatives for Montana Fouts who had 8 strikeouts, no walks and only gave up an unearned run. After giving up that run, Fouts struck out the side. This ace has FIRE! Tide senior reserve Caroline Hardy put the cherry on top, hitting a pinch hit home run in the 7th.
Alabama 13 Illinois-Chicago 4 (5 Inn.) - The Tide led 13-0 after 3 innings and cruised to their tenth win behind KB Sides and Bailey Hemphill who combined to go 5 for 5 with eight RBI and one home run each.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Tide’s home opening day game at Rhoads Stadium will be this Friday for the annual Easton Bama Bash. The other three teams participating are ULM, Minnesota, and Missouri State. All three days will have games at 11am, 1:30pm, 4pm and 6pm. Below are Alabama’s games only:
Fri, Feb 22 ALABAMA vs Missouri State 4pm CT
Fri, Feb 22 ALABAMA vs Minnesota 6pm CT
Sat, Feb 23 ALABAMA vs Missouri State 1:30pm CT
Sat, Feb 23 ALABAMA vs Minnesota 6pm CT
Sun, Feb 24 ALABAMA vs Missouri State 4pm CT
All games can be heard on Tuscaloosa radio at 93.3 FM.
If you are looking for a fun doubleheader, baseball has a game with Ball State Friday at 3pm followed by a softball game at 6pm. Saturday, it’s softball at 1:30pm leading up to Vandy upsetting vs the basketball team at 5pm.