Alabama softball's 44-game NCAA regional win streak snapped in shutout by Stanford

Brett Greenberg, The Tuscaloosa News

May 21, 2022 at 5:40 PM·2 min read

Alabama softball was shut out 6-0 by Stanford in the second round of the Tuscaloosa regional Saturday afternoon after falling behind three runs after the first inning.

The Crimson Tide (42-12) moves to 6-6 in their last 12 while breaking a NCAA tournament record, 44-game win streak in the regional round.

Montana Fouts (23-7, 2.17 ERA) picked up the loss giving up five earned runs on six hits. She exited with two outs in the sixth inning after an Ally Shipman throw to second hit her in the facemask; she appeared to be OK. Alex Salter (4-0, 2.09 ERA) allowed one run on four hits after relieving Fouts with one out in the sixth inning.

Alabama plays again at 7 p.m. today (TV TBD) against the winner of Murray State (40-17-1) and Chattanooga (29-27) for a chance to play Stanford again tomorrow in the championship round.

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Full regional schedule: Alabama softball: Complete schedule for NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional

Here are three things we learned:

Sputtering offense

The Alabama offense has tallied just six hits in two games after getting just one today. Ally Shipman has accounted for three of those. Crimson Tide is hitting 6-for-43 (.140) in regional play.

Alabama bats did not register a hit with runners on, in scoring position or with two outs in Saturday's loss while striking out four times.

Stanford pitcher Alana Vawter (24-11, 1.81 ERA) retired 14 straight batters after the Crimson Tide had two runners on with one out in the first inning before a Jenna Johnson lead-off single in the sixth inning.

Week of preparation: Three things Alabama softball must fix to win NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional

May 20, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Coach Patrick Murphy talks to his team between innings during their 3-0 win over Chattanooga at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa Friday. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News

Out from the start

The Crimson Tide saw themselves behind by three runs in the first inning after Stanford used two hits, a walk and rare Fouts hit-by-pitch to take the lead. It would be only run the Cardinal would need. .

In the regular season, the Crimson Tide tallied a 30-4 record when scoring first and 17-3 when scoring in the first inning. Alabama did neither of those.

More on the Tuscaloosa Regional: 5 things to know about Alabama softball's NCAA Tournament Tuscaloosa Regional

May 20, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama shortstop Bailey Dowling (7) is congratulated at home plate after hitting a solo home run to record the Crimson Tide’s first run in a 3-0 win over Chattanooga at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa Friday. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News

Tough task ahead

The loss snaps a 44-game win streak for the Crimson Tide in regional play with the last loss coming to Tennessee Tech in 2007. Alabama went on that year to advance to the super regional round.

The Crimson Tide must win three games in the next 36 hours to advance to the super regional.

Lexi Kilfoyl did not appear for the eighth consecutive game, but Murphy said she has been throwing bullpens all week. The Crimson Tide needs Kilfoyl.

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

May 20, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts (14) points out Bailey Dowling who made the play on a fly ball to end the game against Chattanooga with a 3-0 Crimson Tide win at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa Friday. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News

What's next

If Alabama wins Saturday night, they will need to beat the Cardinal twice on Sunday in order to advance to the super regional round. If the Crimson Tide loses, the season is over.

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

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball loses to Stanford second round of NCAA regional

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Sputtering offense

Out from the start

Tough task ahead

What's next

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