Will Montana Fouts be best pitcher in SEC? Alabama softball hot takes for 2023 season

Alabama softball starts its 2023 season Friday and will be looking to rebound after missing last year's NCAA Tournament super regional round.

Alabama brings back 13 returnees from last year's squad that failed to advance out of the regional for the first time since 2005. The Crimson Tide is headlined by pitcher Montana Fouts and catcher Ally Shipman. Alabama also has eight newcomers, five of whom are freshmen, including class of 2023 No. 1-ranked prospect Kenleigh Cahalan.

The Crimson Tide start the season with a four-game homestand on Friday (3:30 p.m. CT, 6) and Saturday (1:30 p.m., 4), with games against Lehigh and Georgia Southern.

Here are three bold predictions for Alabama softball heading into the 2023 season:

Newcomers lead offensive explosion

Seven of the eight newcomers are hitters, and pitcher Lauren Esman can hit when needed. Freshmen Abby Duchscherer and Larissa Preuitt have shown power, especially in the last preseason scrimmage. Faith Hensley and Emma Broadfoot showed power at previous stops and both hit over .340.

It won't be all newcomers, as returners Shipman and Jenna Johnson will once again provide offensive spark.

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Montana Fouts wins SEC Pitcher of the Year

The 2021 SEC and National Pitcher of the Year didn't see a huge drop off last season, but was unable to repeat in 2022. This season, Fouts will return to 2021 levels and get rewarded with SEC Pitcher of the Year and once again be in the conversation for national awards.

Fouts will need to get her ERA back under 2.00 and see her strikeouts cross the 300 mark again, and could see that happen after an offseason of improvement.

"I think her spins are better, her offspeed is really good," Alabama coach Patrick Muphy said. "Just the whole thing, she's a little more polished."

Alabama returns to WCWS

Behind a resurgent offense and the SEC Pitcher of the Year, Alabama will return to Oklahoma City and the Women's College World Series. The Crimson Tide missed out last season but made trips in 2021 and 2019. Alabama's postseason will see it host both a regional and super regional, making a return to the national championship even just a little easier.

If the Crimson Tide can get to the WCWS, it will compete to bring home the second national championship in program history, with the first coming in 2012.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball 2023: Montana Fouts and other bold predictions