ESPN analysts break down Alabama softball tournament seeding, Montana Fouts injury

Alabama softball was seeded as one of the top teams in the nation ahead of the tournament despite serious injury concerns for Montana Fouts. The Crimson Tide is the No. 5 seed in the upcoming NCAA D1 Softball Tournament, and ESPN’s bracket reveal analysts shared their concerns about Alabama if their star pitcher isn’t available.

Fouts was injured on Thursday against Arkansas after landing awkwardly after a pitch. She attempted to stay on the mound, but was hobbled from the injury and unable to continue. ESPN’s Holly Rowe further explained the extent of her injury while the bracket reveal show broke down Alabama’s chances during the tournament.

Critics of the Crimson Tide believed that their pick as the No. 5 seed was too high, although the selection committee explained that their seed was a result of their excellent performance against top-ten and top-25 teams in the nation — something that Fouts has been a massive part of.

Fouts has been one of the best pitchers in the sport over her career, racking up 311 strikeouts — the most in D1 play. Alabama is one of just three schools to earn a national seed in the tournament every year since 2005.

Montana Fouts injury and Alabama’s tournament chances

“Montana Fouts landed awkwardly on her plant leg,” explained Rowe. “She missed the next game and she was going to be evaluated tomorrow in Alabama with their orthopedic doctor… it is a lower leg injury.

“But Montana Fouts’ status moving forward is absolutely critical. Because we all thought that Alabama with Montana Fouts was a world series-caliber team. And now without her… the biggest question is could they get through regionals without her and then maybe have her healthy for supers? Or is she gonna be out all postseason? We just don’t know yet.”

The longer their postseason run goes, Fouts’ availability for the Crimson Tide becomes more and more important. On their side of the bracket are heavyweight opponents like Northwestern, Texas and Tennessee.

“I think that this is a team that has never given up this season. This has not been the easiest season in the world for Alabama,” added Amanda Scarborough. “So for them — and a season where they’re not really their best — to still grab a top-five seed speaks volumes of Coach Murphy [and] the culture he has built there.

“And of course having Montana Fouts on the circle for those big games to get those top-ten wins, to get those top-25 wins that they’ve had. And that is a question mark for them if she’ll be available.”