Alabama Softball Slips Past South Florida

Alabama softball opened the Hillenbrand Invitational with a 2-0 victory over South Florida.

True freshman Montana Fouts tossed a complete game shoutout allowing just three hits and striking out 12 batters while not giving up a walk.

Both teams got out of the gate slowly as neither team scored through the first four innings.

In the top of the fifth inning, senior Merris Schroder launched a lead-off solo homer to right field to put Alabama on top 1-0.

Kaylee Tow scored the final run of the game on a passed ball in the top of the sixth inning.

South Florida missed out on two key scoring opportunities. In the bottom of the first, center fielder AnaMarie Bruni advanced to second base on a throwing error from Alabama second baseman Sklyar Wallace. Following back-to-back strikeouts from Montana Fouts, Crimson Tide catcher Bailey Hemphill threw out Bruni attempting to steal third to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Brittany Keen singled to being the inning. Following a groundout and strikeout, Moldonado singled but pinch runner Brooke Leistl was thrown out at home plate by Alabama right fielder KB Sides to extinguish the threat.

Alabama takes on New Mexico to close out their first day of the Hillenbrand Invitational.