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'Bionic woman': 5 things to know about Alabama softball ace Montana Fouts as NCAA regional play begins

brett greenberg, the tuscaloosa news
·3 min read

Montana Fouts has been labeled plenty of things in her career: 2021 NFCA Pitcher of the Year, 2021 SEC Co-Pitcher of the Year, All-SEC, All-American and more.

But never "bionic woman." At least not until now.

Alabama coach Patrick Murphy has seen Jackie Traina, Monica Abbott, Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro and plenty of other All-American pitchers come through or face his program, but Fouts is in a different category according to him.

"I always worry about pitching her too much, but with her she's almost like Monica (Abbott, Tennessee and Olympic great)," said Murphy. "She seems like she gets better as she throws more."

As the No. 6-ranked Crimson Tide (41-11) begins NCAA Tournament regional play against Chattanooga (29-25) at 3 p.m. at SEC Network, here are five things to know about Alabama's leader in the pitching circle.

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A perfect birthday

Fouts tossed a 14-strikeout perfect game in the quarterfinal round of the Women's College World Series against UCLA last season.

The perfect game was the first in more than 20 years in Oklahoma City and just the fifth in WCWS history.

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Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts, right, celebrates her perfect game with Bailey Hemphill, after the team's NCAA Women's College World Series softball game against UCLA on Friday, June 4, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts, right, celebrates her perfect game with Bailey Hemphill, after the team's NCAA Women's College World Series softball game against UCLA on Friday, June 4, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

'Feeling good'

Murphy referred to Fouts as the "bionic woman" before the 2022 SEC Tournament, noting the right-hander often gets better and more comfortable with more reps as the season progresses. In eight SEC series this season, Fouts (22-6, 1.93 ERA going into the postseason) has appeared in all three games in as many series and tossed more than 300 pitches in the Missouri series.

Fouts doubles down on this notion and acknowledged her high usage earlier this season as well.

“I feel like the more I pitch, the better I feel so I guess more reps, which is kind of crazy," said Fouts.

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May 7, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Montana Fouts gives high fives to teammates after coming in to pitch in relief and get the win over Missouri in Rhoads Stadium Saturday. The Crimson Tide defeated Missouri 3-1 in game two of the weekend series. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News
May 7, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Montana Fouts gives high fives to teammates after coming in to pitch in relief and get the win over Missouri in Rhoads Stadium Saturday. The Crimson Tide defeated Missouri 3-1 in game two of the weekend series. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News

Decorated senior season

Fouts picked up her fourth SEC Pitcher of the Week award (Feb. 21, Feb. 28, April 19, May 10) after appearing in all three games against Missouri last week. In the regular season, Fouts led the conference in total strikeouts (254) while accounting for 14 appearances with 10-plus strikeouts along with three saves.

FROM LAST SEASON: 5 things to know about Alabama softball ace Montana Fouts in the WCWS

Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts fields a ball hit back to her and throws to first for an out at Rhoads Stadium Friday, March 18, 2022. Alabama won the game 4-2, beginning the weekend series with the Wildcats.
Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts fields a ball hit back to her and throws to first for an out at Rhoads Stadium Friday, March 18, 2022. Alabama won the game 4-2, beginning the weekend series with the Wildcats.

Representing her country

Fouts will join former Crimson Tide All-American Haylie McCleney in representing the United States in the 2022 World Games in Hoover this summer.

"I'm just happy we added another Bama girl to the group. I am stoked about that," McCleney said on a conference call earlier this year. "I have wanted Montana to be on this team for so long; she is a competitor and a fighter."

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Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts squints into the sun as she gives high fives to teammates at the end of an inning in the game with Mississippi State at Rhoads Stadium Thursday, April 14, 2022. Gary Cosby Jr./Tuscaloosa News
Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts squints into the sun as she gives high fives to teammates at the end of an inning in the game with Mississippi State at Rhoads Stadium Thursday, April 14, 2022. Gary Cosby Jr./Tuscaloosa News

Potential for one pitch disaster

Fouts struggled throughout the season keeping hits inside the ball park, allowing 10 regular-season home runs after yielding just 13 total the season prior.

"The more you face teams, the more attention you need to pay to the actual swings," said Fouts. "When I try to throw really hard is usually when it gets hit pretty hard, so just trusting myself will be important."

Just one of her 12 hits allowed against Missouri went for extra bases, a home run in the first game.

ALABAMA: How Montana Fouts’ life has changed since World Series perfect game

Reach Brett Greenberg at bgreenberg@gannett.com or follow @74talk on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Montana Fouts: 5 things to know about Alabama softball ace pitcher