TUSCALOOSA, AL- After a back and forth defensive battle, No.13 Alabama fell short to the Stanford Cardinal and were eliminated from the Women’s College World Series.
Senior Montana Fouts went out in style as she played her last game of her career at The University of Alabama. Battling through her hyperextended knee, Fouts finished with three 1-2-3 innings, and ended with 4 K’s.
Early in the game, it was apparent that Fouts was irritated by the injury, however as the game went along she seemed to be looking more comfortable. It was during the beginning of the seventh inning that head coach Patrick Murphy asked Fouts to come out of the game to rest. Fouts quickly pushed him away only leaving Murphy describing her will to play as “undeniable.”
The Alabama offense had a hard time rallying around Fouts as the Stanford defense only allowed one hit the whole game. The Tide defense gave up five with the biggest coming in the last at bat for Stanford – A solo home run from Sydney Steele. She was the only player to score during the game.
With an injured Fouts holding her own, Murphy was seen trying to rally the offense in the dugout – to no avail. This was due to Stanford’s pitcher, Alana Vawter, also having herself a game. She allowed only one hit and had 5 K’s going into the 7th inning until she was replaced by NFCA Freshman of the Year, NiJaree Canady.
“I don’t think anybody gave us a shot in hell of being here once Montana went down in Fayetteville.” said Murphy. “She makes everybody feel special. She takes time with everybody. She’s just an icon in the sport.”
“These people are my everything,” said Fouts following her final game in an Alabama uniform.
“They really are. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to spend my dream. 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, Murph, the coaches and these teammates mean to me.”
