Brett Greenberg
Tuscaloosa News
The Alabama softball team enters its second week of the season undefeated without giving up a run.
Last weekend the Crimson Tide scored 29 runs and struck out 39 opposing batters.
As the No. 6-ranked Crimson Tide gears up for the Easton Bama Bash, here are three things to know:
Tournament schedule
Alabama will play Friday vs. Liberty at 3 p.m.
On Saturday, the Crimson Tide will play the first game of a doubleheader vs. Liberty at 1:30 p.m., then play No. 9 LSU at 4 p.m.
Alabama will wrap up the weekend against LSU at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The games vs. LSU will not count in SEC standings but present an intriguing top-10 matchup.
"LSU was supposed to play in Clearwater (Florida) this weekend but that got canceled, so I called Beth (Torina, LSU's coach) and told her to come play against us," said Alabama coach Patrick Murphy. "They have a lot of young players who will be able to feel what it's like to play in Rhoads Stadium before May 12 for the SEC Tournament."
Alabama is scheduled to host the 2021 SEC Tournament.
Offense built on speed
In four games last weekend, the Crimson Tide combined for 19 stolen bases in just 20 attempts.
Alabama leads the nation in this statistic while the next-best team, Notre Dame, has just 12.
Elissa Brown was perfect with nine stolen bases in as many attempts.
Alexis Mack stole four bases in five attempts and KB Sides went 3-for-3 while Bailey Dowling, Kaylee Tow and Jenna Johnson each added one.
"We call them the green-light girls," said Murphy. "We are going to continue to stay aggressive with our hit-and-runs because speed creates havoc."
Montana Fouts awarded SEC pitcher of the week
Junior Montana Fouts was announced as SEC Pitcher of the Week on Monday afternoon.
Fouts had 20 strikeouts and only gave up one hit in 11 innings of work.
In Alabama's season opener, the 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year combined for the program's fifth perfect game in history. Fouts pitched four innings while striking out nine before Sarah Cornell came in for the final three outs.
Fouts struck out 11 and gave up her only hit of the year on Sunday afternoon against Louisville. The 11 strikeouts are one shy of her career-high.
This is Fouts' sixth weekly conference award of her career and the 42nd pitcher-of-the-week honor in program history.
"Our staff was great this past weekend," said Murphy. "We still have room to get better and we will."
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