For Montana Fouts, falling in love with softball was easy. Growing up in Grayson, Kentucky, seeing her father Tim play and watching games on television, she knew what she wanted to be great at.
“I had to put a lot of time in to get to where I want to be,” Fouts said. “But I’m obviously not satisfied ever.”
Gifted with a 6’2” frame and an incredible work ethic, the young pitcher worked her way through Kentucky high school and travel teams winning seamingly just as many awards as she did games. Fouts was named Kentucky Gatorade Softball Player of the Year three years straight, was an All-American all four years at East Carter High School and holds Kentucky state records for career ERA (0.16) and single-season no-hitters (14) and perfect games (9), just to name a few of her many state, regional and national awards. Backed by 111 career victories, Fouts was set to play at the collegiate level anywhere she pleased.
She chose the University of Alabama, citing the “family atmosphere and winning mindset” of the program as the prime factors in her decision.
“We never know what we’re getting until we get in the game,” Alabama softball head coach Patrick Murphy said. “So she could have all the accolades in the world, but when she gets into college and has [media] to deal with, the fans and the umpires, you just never know.”
Fouts let the softball world know immediately her success would carry over. In six starts Fouts is undefeated, retiring 48 batters and allowing just three earned runs, two of which came in a rematch against No. 24 Minnesota in the rain Saturday afternoon, the other in her first start against Troy.
Her toughest test on the mound came in the Hillenbrand Invitational in Tucson, Arizona. Fouts had the start against the No. 9 Arizona Wildcats.
“It’s hard to beat them there, period,” Murphy said. “They had 2,000 people and a brand new stadium and everybody was excited about that. There’s all these things stacked against us, but then when Montana got out there it was like ‘we got a chance.’”
Fouts said she takes the circle with a clear head, taking one batter at a time. Arizona was no different. She tallied eight strikeouts and gave up just six hits in a win that garnered SEC Freshman of the Week honors and gave the Crimson Tide its first non-conference road win against a top 10 team since they beat then No. 7 Texas in 1999.
“She’s fearless,” pitching coach Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro said.
Fouts said her success is due to her work ethic and preparation. The phrase “hardest-working picher we’ve ever had” is often connected to Fouts by her coaches and teammates and for good reason.
Fouts said she constantly works on her mechanics to perfect her accuracy and speed for her arsenal of pitches. Though her fastball can reach the 70 mph mark, Fouts said her curveball is her favorite pitch with a smirk.
“It has a nice late break and it does spin pretty well,” VanBrakle Prothro said.
VanBrakle Prothro confirmed Fouts’ work ethic as she said Fouts is always asking to work on something extra or going to the facility on her own to work on her craft.
“I didn’t expect that,” VanBrakle Prothro said. “It’s kind of refreshing to see that because I think it helps push the other pitchers. The whole staff kind of wants to to work a little bit harder because she’s a freshman pushing that objective, which I really like.”
The rest of the team has taken notice as well.
“Seeing how hard she worked right when she got here let us know that she was determined to get even better and she pushes all of us to get better as well,” Junior outfielder Elissa Brown said. “We know that even if she allows some runs or struggles she won’t lose confidence and that’s because she prepares so hard.”