James Madison Cancels Softball Season After Lauren Bernett's Death
May 2, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JUNE 07: James Madison players huddle during the second inning of Game 13 of the Women's College World Series against Oklahoma on June 07, 2021 at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 7-1. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The James Madison softball team has canceled the remainder of its 2022 season following the death of sophomore catcher Lauren Bernett.
Coach Loren LaPorte issued a statement on the announcement:
This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly. We are so grateful for the support of our fans all season and for the love from the softball community during the past week. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Lauren's memory while finishing the academic semester strong. Most importantly, we're thinking about our graduating seniors whose careers have come to an abrupt conclusion. We will make sure that they are honored for the commitment and dedication they have made as student-athletes at James Madison University.
The Dukes will now finish 2022 with a 21-21 overall record. Their last game was an 11-4 victory over Drexel on April 24. Five contests had already been canceled prior to Monday's decision.
On April 26, the school announced Bernett died, and two days later, the medical examiner ruled her death a suicide.
Bernett was batting .336 with nine home runs and 33 RBI in 2022. She made 44 appearances for the Dukes last year, when they punched their ticket to the Women's College World Series for the first time in program history. JMU reached the semifinals, where it lost to eventual national champion Oklahoma.
Youth Softball Umpire Says She Was Punched in the Eye by a Player's Parent After Game
May 1, 2022
A cap and gloves of Canada's player lie on a ground after their victory during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games softball bronze medal game between Mexico and Canada at the Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, on July 27, 2021. (Photo by KAZUHIRO FUJIHARA / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO FUJIHARA/AFP via Getty Images)
Mississippi youth softball umpire Kristi Moore says a player's parent punched her in the face after a game between kids 12 and under April 9 because she didn't agree with how it was being called, according to TMZ Sports.
Moore told TMZ Sports that the parent was yelling inappropriate words at her throughout the game and told her she would confront her after the game. The parent approached Moore after the final out and allegedly punched her in the face, causing a black eye, cuts and scratches.
Moore sought medical attention the next day for severe bruising, and the parent was arrested for assault. According to TMZ Sports, the parent has also been banned from the league the incident occurred in.
As for Moore, she told TMZ Sports that she is taking some time off from calling games before returning to the diamond.
Ole Miss Softball Coaches Reportedly Facing Investigation over Improper Relationship
Sep 3, 2021
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 7: Boston, Ma 10/7/2020: (Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff)- The softball field at UMASS Boston in Boston is dormant on Oct. 7, 2020. With no intramural sports, college students endure a depressing timeout. Having virtual classes is bad enough, but suspending intramural leagues cuts out a huge social and recreational component of college life. (Photo by Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Two softball coaches at the University of Mississippi reportedly are facing an investigation for Title IX violations.
"Thirteen people connected with the Ole Miss softball program have confirmed to Running Poles that a Title IX investigation has been launched after allegations of assistant coach Katie Rietkovich Browder having an affair with a student-athlete came to light," according to the podcast's official blog.
In a letter sent to Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter that was obtained by Running Poles, head coach Jamie Trachsel is accused of βcovering up a sexual misconduct scandal involving two super seniors and a female assistant coach.β
The letter alleges Trachsel knew about the affair involving Browder and the student-athlete and bribed players with scholarship money to stay quiet about the story.
"The university does not confirm or comment on Title IX reviews," a school spokesperson told Scooby ole Axson of USA Today.
Running Poles also obtained a formal complaint received by the offices of Ole Miss Equal Opportunity and Regulation, Southeastern Conference Compliance and NCAA Academic and Membership Affairs in May.
The allegation in the complaint states Trachsel "created and embraced a mentally toxic culture."
Trachsel just completed her first season as Ole Miss softball coach in the spring. She previously serve as head coach at Minnesota, Iowa State and North Dakota State
Browder was hired as an assistant on Trachsel's staff last season. She previously spent three years with the Rebels softball team as a volunteer assistant from 2016-18. The Georgia Southern alumnus worked with Trachsel for two seasons at Minnesota from 2019-20.
Mississippi finished the 2021 season with a 36-22 overall record. The school made the NCAA tournament for the fifth consecutive year before losing in the Fayetteville regional final to Arizona.
Olympic Softball 2021 Day 4 Results: Team USA Comeback Win Highlights Saturday Scores
Jul 25, 2021
United States' Monica Abbott, center right, and Cat Osterman, center left, embrace defeating Mexico during a softball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The United States Olympic softball team stayed undefeated in the Tokyo Games with a 2-1 win over Australia in eight innings. With the victory, Team USA moved to 4-0 in the five-game round-robin slate.
The Day 4 softball schedule also included defending gold medalist and tournament hosts Japan facing Canada and Italy taking on Mexico.
Here's a look at how the day's action went down in Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium.
Olympic Softball Day 4 Scores
United States def. Australia, 2-1 (8 innings)
Japan def. Canada, 1-0
Italy vs. Mexico: 7 a.m.
Standings
1. Japan (4-0, +14 run differential)
2. United States (4-0, +6 run differential)
3. Canada (2-2, +8 run differential)
4. Australia (1-3, -13 run differential)
5. Mexico (0-3, -7 run differential)
6. Italy (0-3, -8 run differential)
Day 4 Highlights
Amanda Chidester's game-ending two-run single propelled the United States to a 2-1 comeback win over Australia.
Chidester's hit scored Ally Carda and Haylie McCleney, who reached base after all four of her plate appearances (two walks, single, triple).
On the mound, Team USA starting pitcher Monica Abbott struck out 13 batters over eight innings. Her and Cat Osterman have combined to allow just one run through four Olympic matchups.
Australia scored that lone run in the eighth inning off a bases-loaded walk. Abbott worked her way out of the jam, though, leading to Team USA's two-run frame.
Australia pitcher Tarni Stepto largely quieted the Team USA attack, shutting the Americans down through seven innings prior to extras. She struck out three and allowed five walks and five hits through 7.1 innings in defeat.
Team USA will face Japan to close round-robin play.
The matchup will determine the winner of the round-robin group, with Japan remaining undefeated with a 1-0 win over Canada. Both countries are undefeated, but Japan currently leads the standings because of a stronger run differential.
This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
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Olympic Softball 2021 Day 2 Results: USA Tops Canada, Italy to Open Pool Play
Jul 22, 2021
United States' Monica Abbott celebrates with teammates during the softball game between the United States and Canada at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Fukushima , Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Softball returned to the Olympics for the first time since 2008 as the United States national team won its first two games in Tokyo.
A year after the 2020 games were slated to begin, the Americans finally took the field at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium and promptly defeated Italy, 2-0, before picking up a 1-0 victory over Canada.
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021
This year's Olympic tournament will feature six countries playing a round-robin format with the top two teams advancing to the gold medal game while the third- and fourth-placed teams compete for bronze.
Here's a glance at the action on Days 1 and 2.
Schedule & Results
Japan def. Australia, 8-1
USA def. Italy, 2-0
Canada def. Mexico, 4-0
USA def. Canada, 1-0
Japan def. Mexico, 3-2
Australia def. Italy, 1-0
Standings
1. Japan (2-0, +8 run differential)
2. USA (2-0, +3 run differential)
3. Canada (1-1, +3 run differential)
4. Australia (1-1, -6 run differential)
5. Italy (0-2, -3 run differential)
6. Mexico (0-2, -5 run differential)
Highlights
The host country kicked things off with an 8-1 walloping of Australia. Japan used home runs from Minori Naito, Yamato Fujita and Yu Yamamoto, scoring one in the first inning, two in the third, three in the fourth and two more in the fifth to close things out.
After playing to a 1-1 tie after two innings, Japan quickly overpowered its opponent as Yukiko Ueno picked up the win over Kaia Parnaby.
The Americans got to work against Italy next, breaking through with runs in the fourth and fifth innings. It turns out that was all the U.S. needed.
Cat Osterman, who came out of retirement at age 38 to rejoin the national team, pitched a gem over six innings, giving up one hit while striking out nine. Monica Abbott picked up the save in the seventh inning by striking out the side.
While Canada was able to muscle its way past Mexico, it couldn't do much of anything against the U.S. in the second game.
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021
Still warm from her save against Italy, Abbott returned to the bump and tossed a complete game with nine strikeouts, three walks and one hit allowed over seven innings. Every pitch was crucial as the Americans remained locked in a scoreless battle through five innings.
USA finally got a go-ahead run in the top of the fifth when Amanda Chidester singled to right field, scoring Haylie McCleney from second with two outs. The inning nearly became a disaster for Canada as the U.S. loaded the bases, only for Bubba Nickles to strike out looking.
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021
Still, the Americans held on for a second win as Abbott continued her strong showing in Tokyo.
Japan also remained unbeaten with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Mexico.
The Mexicans nearly pulled off the upset as they got three straight batters on base to start the seventh inning, including an RBI single by Anissa Urtez to tie the game at two. Miu Goto came up clutch out of the bullpen, though, recording three straight outs to get out of the jam.
Mana Atsumi delivered the winning run with an infield single in the eighth that brought home Eri Yamada from third.
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021
There are three remaining days of pool play, which will run Saturday through Monday in Tokyo after Friday's opening ceremony, but it already appears Team USA and Japan could be on a collision course for the gold medal match.
Saturday's games include Australia vs. Canada, the U.S. vs. Mexico and Japan vs. Italy.
Olympic Softball 2021 Day 1 Results: Team USA Opens Play With Win vs. Italy
Jul 21, 2021
United States' Cat Osterman pitches during the softball game between Italy and the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Fukushima , Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Softball has made its return to the Olympics after a 13-year hiatus.
The sport even kicked off the athletic competition at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, with host country Japan taking on Australia to begin the round-robin group stage.
Six teams are in the Olympic competition: Japan, Australia, the United States, Italy, Mexico and Canada. A round-robin is underway, with each team facing the others one time apiece.
The top two teams will play each other in a gold-medal game, while the third- and fourth-place teams will battle for the bronze medal.
As for Day 1 of the festivities, Japan, which won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, earned a 8-1 mercy-rule victory over Australia.
The United States, which fell to Japan in the 2008 gold-medal game, followed up the host's win with a 2-0 victory over Italy.
Canada, which has never medaled in Olympic softball, beat Mexico 4-0 as well.
Here's a recap of all three games alongside some highlights.
Japan 8, Australia 1
Fujita Yamato, Naito Minori and Yamamoto Yu hit home runs as Japan defeated Australia 8-1.
Starting pitcher Ueno Yukiko, who won gold for Japan at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, earned the win. She and Goto Miu allowed just two hits over five innings.
Australia had a chance to break this game open in the first inning, loading the bases and scoring one on a hit-by-pitch with one out. Ueno limited the damage to one run, however, getting the last two outs.
Yamamoto evened the game with an RBI single in the first.
Naito plated the go-ahead run after smacking a two-run homer:
The first home run of the #TokyoOlympics belongs to the host nation, Japan π―π΅
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 21, 2021
Both teams play again Wednesday: Canada is up next for the United States, and Italy will draw Australia.
Canada 4, Mexico 0
Team Canada pitchers Sara Groenwegen, Jenna Caira and Danielle Lawrie allowed just two hits collectively in a 4-0 shutout of Mexico early Wednesday morning.
The trio struck out a total of six Mexican players and walked just one, getting Canada off to a dominant start at the 2021 Summer Olympics.
Canada jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. The Canadians also tacked on insurance runs in the third and fourth innings.
First baseman Jenn Salling was the offensive star for Canada, going 2-for-2 with two RBI, including a solo home run in the third:
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 21, 2021
The top of Canada's batting order did a ton of damage in the game, as each of the first five hitters in the lineup had at least one hit and four of them finished with two hits.
Canada made life difficult for Mexico starting pitcher Dallas Escobedo, who was chased after four innings on the heels of allowing seven hits and four earned runs, while walking five.
The Canadians will look to keep rolling Wednesday when they face the United States, while Mexico will attempt to bounce back against Japan on Wednesday.
Oklahoma Beats FSU 6-2, Forces Decisive Game 3 in Women's College World Series
Jun 10, 2021
Oklahoma's Jocelyn Alo (78) hits a home run against Georgia during an NCAA Women's College World Series softball game against Georgia, Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The 2021 Women's College World Series will go to a decisive third game thanks to Jocelyn Alo's historic two-run homer Wednesday night that propelled the Oklahoma Sooners to a 6-2 victory over the Florida State Seminoles.
Trailing 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Alo sent Kathryn Sandercock's pitch over the fence in right-center field to give the Sooners their first lead of the game.
Alo had already set Oklahoma's single-season home run record by a player. The senior star increased her total to 33 with the biggest long ball of her career. She went 3-for-3 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored in Game 2.
Oklahoma's first six hitters reached base in the top of the sixth inning. It started with a throwing error by Florida State shortstop Josie Muffley that allowed Tiare Jennings to reach first base.
Sandercock looked to be in complete control of the game going into the sixth. She held the Sooners to just one run on three hits through the first five innings, with 11 of those 15 outs coming on ground balls.
The Sooners got on the board in the top of the third thanks to Jana Johns' solo homer off Sandercock.
After the first five Oklahoma players reached in the sixth, Seminoles head coach Lonni Alameda pulled her ace to bring in Caylan Arnold.
The Big 12 champions added another run off Arnold to open up a 5-2 lead. That was more than enough offensive support for Giselle Juarez.
Oklahoma's starting pitcher settled in nicely after a shaky start. She gave up a single to Sydney Sherrill, followed by a home run to Elizabeth Mason in the bottom of the first.
Florida State only managed to get two singles off Juarez over the final five innings. The Seminoles put more than one runner on base once after the first inning. They finished 4-for-23 at the plate for the game.
By comparison, Florida State won Game 1 on Tuesday by going 11-for-30 with three extra-base hits.
Wednesday's victory marked the second time this postseason that the Sooners have been able to avoid elimination. They lost their first game of the Women's College World Series to James Madison but stayed alive by outscoring Georgia and UCLA 18-3 in their next two games.
Oklahoma got revenge against James Madison by sweeping the semifinal to advance to the final.
One more win on Thursday will give the Sooners their first national title since 2017. Florida State will look to rebound from its first loss since the first round of the Women's College World Series on June 3.
Game 3 between Florida State and Oklahoma will begin at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Florida State Beats Oklahoma in Game 1 of 2021 Women's College World Series Final
Jun 9, 2021
Florida State third baseman Sydney Sherrill, left, tags out Oklahoma's Nicole Mendes (11) during the second inning the first game of the NCAA Women's College World Series softball championship series Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Florida State is one win away from a national championship after beating Oklahoma 8-4 in Game 1 of the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
Kalei Harding got the Seminoles on the board first with a two-run home run to left in the third inning.
FSU then exploded for five runs in the fourth to break Game 1 open. Ten batters came to the plate in the inning, and Oklahoma starter Nicole May was chased from the game after 3.2 innings of work.
The Seminoles had six hits during the outburst and only one went for extra bases. They effectively had an assembly line going as they worked runners around the diamond.
Having plated two runs in the fourth, Oklahoma added two in the sixth to make things interesting late. But the 'Noles added an insurance run in the seventh after an obstruction call at home plate.
With one out in the bottom half of the inning, Dani Morgan and Sydney Sherrill combined to throw out Tiare Jennings at home on a double by Jocelyn Alo. Kathryn Sandercock got Kinzie Hansen to pop out to second to end the game.
Notable Performers
Danielle Watson, P, Florida State: 5.2 innings, six hits, four earned runs, five strikeouts
Kalei Harding, RF, Florida State: 3-for-4, four RBI, two runs scored, one home run, one double
Sydney Sherrill, 3B, Florida State: 1-for-2, one run scored, two RBI, two walks
Nicole Mendes, RF, Oklahoma: 1-for-2, two runs scored, one RBI, one home run
Watson, Harding Set the Tone for FSU
Florida State coach Lonni Alameda sprang a bit of a surprise when she turned to Danielle Watson as the starter to open the series. The last of Watson's 10 starts this season was May 8 in a win over Pittsburgh.
Watson held the Sooners hitless through 3.2 innings before allowing back-to-back homers to Kinzie Hansen and Nicole Mendes. She was also responsible for the two runs Oklahoma brought home in the sixth.
In general, Watson gave Alameda as much as she could've expected on the mound.
Harding, meanwhile, was excellent out of the 9-spot and combined with Kaley Mudge to form a formidable duo when the lineup turned over. They were responsible for six of Florida State's 11 hits.
Kalei Harding was 5 for 30 (.166) with no homers or doubles and three RBI in 10 NCAA Tournament games entering tonight.
She's 2 for 2 tonight with a homer, a double and four RBI.
— Hannah (Withiam) Taylor (@HannahWithiam) June 9, 2021
During any championship run, there's always one or two players who unexpectedly step up to play a big role. For Tuesday at least, that's exactly what Harding did.
After falling to James Madison in its WCWS opener, Patty Gasso's squad outscored opponents 31-7.
Jennings, Alo and Mackenzie Donihoo combined to go 4-for-11 with two strikeouts. Those numbers aren't bad but below the standard they have set so far in 2021.
The back-to-back home runs were an example of how quickly Oklahoma can put opposing teams under significant pressure, but the team couldn't get enough timely hits in the end.
This was also a somewhat sloppy showing from the Sooners, who made some costly mistakes.
Mendes committed the cardinal sin of getting thrown out at third with less than two outs when she attempted to tag on a short flyout by Grace Lyons in the second.
Hansen allowed Florida State to have an extra out in the pivotal fourth inning when her attempted pickoff throw to second base sailed into the outfield and allowed Carson Saabye to take third.
What's Next?
Game 2 is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday. History isn't in Oklahoma's favor since Alabama in 2012 was the last school to win the WCWS after losing the first game.
College Softball World Series 2021: Semifinal Scores, Oklahoma vs. FSU Title Preview
Jun 8, 2021
Florida State's Kaley Mudge (6) celebrates after scoring the winning run in the seventh inning of an NCAA Women's College World Series softball game against Arizona, Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Women's College World Series championship field is set.
No. 1 seed Oklahoma will take on Florida Statein a best-of-three series for college softball's ultimate crown, having punched their tickets to the national championship after a pair of winner-take-all semifinal games on Monday.
The second semifinal games were originally scheduled for Sunday but were pushed back a day due to weather delays.
Here's how things went down on Monday, plus a look at what's to come when the final series gets going on Tuesday.
Florida State 8, Alabama 5
Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts threw a perfect game against UCLA on Saturday, but two days later, she couldn't pull it together against the Seminoles. Fouts gave up six hits and had six earned runs through 2.2 innings as Florida State used a pair of monstrous innings to go up 8-0.
The Seminoles scored three runs in the first, one in the second and then tacked on four in the third, led by a strong performance from leadoff hitter Kaley Mudge. The left fielder had a hit in all three innings to lead the charge.
The Crimson Tide finally got things going in the bottom of the third, when T Clark and E Brown both came around to score after reaching on singles. That seemed to rattle the Seminoles, who didn't score again but allowed the Crimson Tide to score three more runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Of those, two came on a two-run blast by Bailey Hemphill.
The late homer by Alabama prompted Florida State to go to the bullpen for Danielle Watson, who relieved Caylan Arnold. Arnold had stepped in after Kathryn Sandercock finished three innings and was credited with the two runs from Alabama's third-inning action.
But it wasn't enough to overcome the beating the Seminoles put together in the early innings, which was largely led by the top of their order. Mudge, Sydney Sherrill and Mason combined to hit .667 with six RBI in the win.
Oklahoma 7, James Madison 1
Unseeded JMU upset top-seeded Oklahoma in the opening game of the entire tournament, so it's only right that this matchup would decide a finalist. Oklahoma staved off elimination against Georgia and No. 2 UCLA to work its way back into a battle with James Madison, and in the first rematch, handled the Dukes 6-3.
The Sooners completed their run through the elimination bracket with a 7-1 win Monday.
A pair of big innings for the Sooners forced JMU ace Odicci Alexanderβwho ended her NCAA tournament having thrown 1,057 pitchesβout of the circle in the fifth inning and paved the way for Oklahoma to make it into the championship.
But it was James Madison that started out hot. Kate Gordon, who was the hero in the opening game, homered on the first pitch of the game to open the scoring.
Logan Newton also singled in that inning, but that was where the production stopped for the Dukes.
JMU was no-hit for the next four innings, as a complete role-reversal took place. The Sooners, who were blanked by Alexander through three innings, picked things up in the bottom of the fourth.
A Nicole Mendes leadoff triple set the tone, then she scored on a wild pitch. Lynnsie Elam, who reached on a fielder's choice, came around on an RBI single from Jana Johns.
While that was all OU needed to end the Dukes' impressive run in their first World Series appearance, a pair of two-run doubles broke it open in the bottom of the fifth and forced a pitching change.
But there was plenty of recognition for Alexander, who was pitching through a foot injury she picked up when her landing foot was hit by a pitch in Sunday's semifinal Game 1.
She finished her NCAA tournament run with a 6-2 record and a 2.92 ERA, fanning 66 and walking 28 through 64.2 innings:
Odicci Alexander has been THE BEST part of the 2021 #WCWS She gave everything she has. Even the Oklahoma fans are giving her a standing ovation as she leaves game. We are all in tears over here. @JMUSoftball@2seas__pic.twitter.com/9xQuydCbWa
On the other side, Oklahoma pitcher Giselle Juarez recovered from the rough first inning to end with 10 strikeouts and no walks, allowing just two more hits in the ensuing innings.
π€ π π€
Up to 7οΈβ£ K's and retired the last π she's faced.
A solo homer from Oklahoma's Jocelyn Alo in the bottom of the sixth put the finishing touches on the victory to advance to Tuesday's championship series.
Finals Preview
Oklahoma's powerhouse offense proved to be a test for anyone who encountered it during the season. With an NCAA-best .411 team batting average, the Sooners lost just twice during the regular season, to Oklahoma State and Georgia.
The Sooners took two of three against Oklahoma State during the regular season, but Juarez was rocked by the Cowgirls in the teams' regular-season meeting, giving up five runs on five hits and striking out just two over 2.1 innings. Freshman Nicole May was stronger in 3.2 innings of relief.
When Florida State faced Oklahoma State in the elimination bracket, they forced their way past three different pitchers largely thanks to strong play from their leadoff hitter, Mudge, who went 2-for-4 with a hit and an RBI.
Mudge featured even more prominently on Monday, going 5-for-5 with two RBI, two runs and standout defense in left field.
But the key to their success throughout the season has come on the defensive side of the ball, where Sandercock stars in the circle and two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year Sherrill doesn't back down at third base.
Sherrill earned her third All-ACC first-team nod after leading the nation with 11 doubles, becoming the conference's all-time leader. As for Sandercock, she posted 21 wins during the regular season with a 1.17 ERA through 119.2 innings.
This series could come down to a rubber match, though. Against a high-powered offense like Oklahoma's, the Seminoles will need Sherrill and the rest of the defense to be on their game to get past the Sooners.
Alabama's Montana Fouts Throws 5th Perfect Game in WCWS History
Jun 5, 2021
Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts, right, celebrates her perfect game with Bailey Hemphill, after the team's NCAA Women's College World Series softball game against UCLA on Friday, June 4, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts threw the
fifth perfect game in Women's College World Series history in
Friday's 6-0 victory over UCLA.
ESPN's Andrea Adelson noted it's the
first WCWS perfect game since Southern Miss' Courtney Blades in 2000.
"I honestly wasn't really thinking
about it," Fouts said. "I don't think you can think like
that as a pitcher, as a player or even in the stands really. I was
just locked in each pitch because I know that one swing away they
have momentum, they're a great hitting team, great pitching staff, we
respect them so much."
The Crimson Tide gave Fouts a 2-0 lead
in the top of the first, and the junior starter didn't need any
further support as she was downright dominant Friday night.
She struck out 14 of the 21 batters she
faced across seven innings, while throwing 65 of her 95 pitches for
strikes. She improved her record to 27-3 with a 1.43 ERA and an
eye-popping 344 strikeouts in 210.2 innings. She's also recorded
three saves in 2021.
Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said
the performance was even more impressive when you consider the opponents were the Bruins, who entered the game with a 47-5 record.
"Just to watch greatness is pretty
cool," Murphy said. "All of you were a witness to it. These
are, obviously you guys know, these are good teams. I mean, this is
the king of the Pac-12, and to throw a perfect game against legendary
UCLA is something else for a kid from a small town from northeast
Kentucky."
The Tide are riding a 20-game winning
streak dating back to an April 17 loss against Florida, and they can
advance to the WCWS' championship round with a win Sunday. Their next opponent won't be determined until Saturday's play is complete.
Given the form Fouts is inβshe also
pitched a complete game Thursday against Arizona, allowing just two
hits and one run in a 5-1 winβthe Tide are a serious threat to
take home the national title.
The three-game championship series will
begin Monday night.
