Live Updates: No. 14 Alabama Softball at Mississippi State (Game 1)

Montana Fouts is back in the circle as the Crimson Tide opens a road series at Mississippi State.

After a midweek win at Samford, Alabama softball is back on the road for the short trip up Highway 82 with a series at Mississippi State. 

The 14th-ranked Crimson Tide (29-12, 6-6 SEC) has won its last two SEC series. But for the Bulldogs (23-16, 3-8 SEC), the conference schedule hasn't been as kind. After opening up SEC play with a sweep over South Carolina at home, Mississippi State has gotten swept in its last three conference series. 

Alabama has won its last four meetings over the Bulldogs and leads the all-time series 66-11. 

Montana Fouts is starting in the circle for the Crimson Tide, and has not given up an earned run in her last four SEC starts. 

First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and can be streamed on SEC Network+

Starting lineups:

Follow along on the live blog for score updates throughout the game: 

Scouting Alabama

• Alabama heads to Starkville, Miss., this weekend for a three-game series against Mississippi State starting Friday, April 14 at 4 p.m. CT
• Sunday's series finale between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs will be live on the SEC Network at 1 p.m. CT
• This is Alabama's first road trip to Mississippi State since 2017, with its scheduled meeting in 2020 canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic
• The Tide is coming off a series win vs. South Carolina last weekend in Tuscaloosa and a Tuesday road win over Samford, 6-2
• For the second-straight week and the third time this season, Montana Fouts was named the NFCA and SEC Pitcher of the Week, becoming the first D1 pitcher since 2015 to earn the weekly national honor three times in a season
• Kenleigh Cahalan and Ally Shipman lead the team with 42 and 38 hits, respectively, including a combined 26 doubles (13 each)
• Ashley Prange is third on the team with 37 hits while leading the squad with 12 home runs and 34 RBIs
• The Alabama pitching staff has a 1.97 ERA with 277.1 innings pitched, led by Montana Fouts at 15-6 with a 1.45 ERA and NCAA-leading 223 strikeouts in 139.2 innings pitched
• Murphy is in his 25th season as head coach at Alabama with a 1,222-345 (.780) record
• Alabama returns 11 players from last year's team, including All-SEC honorees Montana Fouts, Ashley Prange, Ally Shipman and Bailey Dowling, while also welcoming five freshmen and three transfers