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Montana Fouts Fans 16 as Alabama Tops Arizona 5-1 in Women's College World Series Opener

All-American junior records eighth straight game with 10 or more strikeouts; unlikely heroes emerge for Alabama offense

OKLAHOMA City -- Alabama greeted an old friend on Thursday.

The Crimson Tide returned to USA Hall of Fame Stadium in the Women’s College World Series, a place it's been 13 times, six since 2011.

It's almost like home.

No. 3 seed Alabama played like it anyway, defeating Arizona 5-1 behind a dominant performance from All-American pitcher Montana Fouts, who struck out 16 and allowed two hits.

"What a performance," Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. "That's a hell of a hitting team and for a kid to do that against an Arizona team that is legit, that was pretty special to watch."

Alabama (51-7) won its 19th straight, and faces either UCLA or Florida State on Friday at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

Fouts was relaxed and loose in her second trip to the WCWS, while frustrating Arizona hitters and leaving them searching for answers.

Fouts’ rise ball was untouchable as she struck out eight of first nine hitters before allowing a hit in the fourth.

Fouts’ previous best WCWS strikeout mark was nine, coincidentally, against Arizona in 2019. She topped that with the 16 Thursday. The WCWS single-game record is 20 (13 innings) by UCLA’s Debbie Dooms in 1982. Texas’ Cat Osterman’s 18 is the most in a seven-inning game.

"Just trusting my stuff, trusting my spin," Fouts said of her outing. "I knew Arizona had some great hitters and I just trusted my spin and my defense - they made some big plays to get us out of innings."

It’s the eighth straight game Fouts has recorded 10-plus strikeouts. She has 21 games with 10 or more strikeouts. Fouts, who has 330 strikeouts this season, needs 32 more more to break Jaclyn Traina’s single-season record of 361 (2012).

Alabama is comfortable in Oklahoma City, and it’s a good thing. The Crimson Tide hasn’t played away from Tuscaloosa in a month. There were no jitters or anxiousness from the team, including sophomore Jenna Johnson, who made her WCWS debut with a bang.

She laced a single to left field, which Arizona left fielder Janelle Meono misplayed. That allowed Hemphill to score for the 1-0 first-inning lead.

Another WCWS newcomer for Alabama announced her presence. Sophomore pinch-hitter Abby Doerr launched a two-run home run in the sixth inning to put the game away with a 5-0 lead.

"That was the coolest part of today," Hemphill said. "She was like, 'what just happened?' and I said, 'you just hit a home run in the College World Series.' It was just awesome."

Hemphill made her return to the WCWS with a bang as well. Her last home run here set a single-season school record for home runs and RBIs. The solo shot by the SEC Player of the Year and all-time Crimson Tide home run leader (63) in the third inning Thursday didn’t set any records, but it gave Alabama a 2-0 lead.

"She just battles," Murphy said of Hemphill, who has been walked 55 times this season. "When somebody pitches to her she's like, 'Oh my God, I'm going to get a strike to hit.' She was ready for it. She's one of he best we've ever had." 

Alabama caught a break in the fourth when Reyna Carranco was called out for leaving the batter’s box on a bunt single. Instead of runners on first and second with no outs, the Wildcats had a runner on first with one out. A double play on the next at-bat ended the inning.

Also for Alabama, Maddie Morgan had two hits with an RBI double, and Savannah Woodard singled.

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