Montana Fouts embraces 'rockstar' status, recalls biggest celebrity interaction

The legend of Alabama star pitcher Montana Fouts continues to grow, as she’s helped lead Alabama to their 14th Women’s College World Series appearance in school history. Fouts is fresh off of being named the seventh four-time NFCA All-American in program history and securing her 100th career win in the team’s winner-take-all final at the Tuscaloosa Super Regional to send them to the WCWS.

Fouts has built up her fame in Tuscaloosa, with head coach Patrick Murphy referring to her as a rockstar, legend, and icon after their latest win. Alabama has had its fair share of student-athlete celebrities over the years, and Fouts is the latest and greatest despite not seeing herself as one.

“Okay, so to answer the first question, I don’t know if I consider myself those things, but I’m very honored he does. I remember before I committed here, I was on the phone with Murph. I was pacing in my bedroom, like a 12-year-old does whenever they’re talking to Patrick Murphy. He was talking to me and said, ‘If you come here, you’re going to be a rockstar.’ I was like, ‘Wait, I want to be a rockstar,'” Fouts said smiling. “The rest is history.”

Fouts has made plenty of history during her career at Alabama, becoming just one of three pitchers in school history to achieve 100 career wins and over 1,000 career strikeouts joining Shelley Laird and Kelsi Dunne. She led the nation in strikeouts this season and is now looking to add just one more accolade to her already stuffed trophy case, a national title.

“Yeah, I mean, this is the best opportunity I’ve ever had. I’m honored to be in the list of those categories, like you said. We’re just focused on winning softball games,” Founts said.

It’s safe to say that Fouts has reached ‘rockstar’ status in the Alabama athletics pantheon, and apparently beyond Alabama as well, as she recalled an encounter with one of the biggest names in country music.

“I would say the person that’s probably reached out to me that’s kind of I’m honored to say Hardy, a country music singer, that was a couple years ago,” Fouts said. “I feel like a lot of people have.”

Fouts and the Crimson Tide will rock out on Thursday, as they take on Tennessee in the first round of the World Series at 12 p.m. ET airing on ESPN.