Shipman, Fouts Shine in Alabama Softball’s Doubleheader Sweep on Day One of Easton Bama Bash

The Crimson Tide won twice on Friday night thanks to big hits from its veteran catcher and a dominating performance by its ace pitcher.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Coming into Friday night, Alabama Softball had won four games in a row.

That number now sits at six.

The Crimson Tide (9-2) defeated Kennesaw State 9-2 before knocking off Southeastern Louisiana 6-2 on Day One of the 2023 Easton Bama Bash at Rhoads Stadium.

Alabama scored nine runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth inning to run away from the Owls (3-8) after starting the game down 1-0. Ally Shipman delivered a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the fifth inning — and the Crimson Tide never gave the lead back.

In Game 2, Montana Fouts took the circle against the previously undefeated Lions (10-1) — and came through with a vintage performance. Fouts pitched a complete game, allowing two runs on two hits. She walked two and struck out nine.

“I would say I wasn’t really pleased with [my start],” Fouts said. “I felt like I could’ve had a bit more control than I did — spinning it. [...] But we worked through it. It happens.”

Her lone mistake came in the sixth inning — a two-run home run.

Fouts is now 5-1 on the season with a 2.74 ERA.

Shipman picked up three more RBIs in the nightcap in the same way — another bases-clearing double to the wall.

“That’s my goal every time I go up there,” Shipman said. “Just to do something for my team.”

“That’s the main thing we worked on in practice yesterday — to continue the inning,” head coach Patrick Murphy said. “Pass the baton down. That’s been our negative thing from Game 1, really. We’ll get two on and then we’ll stall the offense. [...] We had two really good innings. A crooked number is awesome.”

Alabama isn’t done this weekend. The Crimson Tide will be back in action for another doubleheader on Saturday against Indiana State — and again against Southeastern Louisiana.

First pitch is set for 11 a.m. CT. The second contest will begin approximately 30 minutes after. Both games will be on SEC Network+.

How It Happened

Game 2 — Southeastern Louisiana

Final Score: Alabama 6 | Southeastern Louisiana 2

Seventh Inning

• FINAL: Alabama 6 | Southeastern Louisiana 2 
• The Crimson Tide sweeps the Friday night doubleheader on Day One of the 2023 Easton Bama Bash. The win streak now sits at six games. Alabama will be back in action tomorrow for another doubleheader — beginning at 11 a.m. CT.

Sixth Inning

• Three more outs to go tonight. It will be Montana Fouts in the circle — looking for the complete game. 
• Alabama 6 | Southeastern Louisiana 2 | End 6th

• Two on, two out for Larissa Preuitt.

• Fouts finishes off the sixth inning the right way after allowing the two-run homer. Top of the lineup due up for the Crimson Tide.
• Alabama 6 | Southeastern Louisiana 2 | Mid 6th

• This one's not quite over yet. Two-run shot for Maria Detillier.
• Alabama 6 | Southeastern Louisiana 2 | Top 6th, 1 Out

Fifth Inning

• We're through five innings at Rhoads Stadium. Montana Fouts looks to keep the shutout in tact.
• Alabama 6 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | End 5th

• Two-out base hit for pinch-hitter Abby Duchscherer.

• Montana Fouts is pitching like Montana Fouts. Five scoreless innings — with seven strikeouts.
• Alabama 6 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | Mid 5th

Fourth Inning

• Similar to earlier this evening, the Crimson Tide scores in bunches after a quiet start. Montana Fouts back out for the fifth inning.
• Alabama 6 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | End 4th

• Bailey Dowling takes one down the left field line, adding another to the scoreboard. 
• Alabama 6 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | Bottom 4th, 2 Outs

• Ally Shipman does it again. Bases-clearing double blows this game open. 
• Alabama 5 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | Bottom 4th, 2 Outs

• Ashley Prange walks. Bases full with two outs for Ally Shipman.

• Two-out walk for Kenleigh Cahalan. First and third, two outs for Ashley Prange.

• Sacrifice fly for Jenna Johnson extends the lead. Faith Hensley is on third with two outs for Kenleigh Cahalan. 
• Alabama 2 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | Bottom 4th, 2 Outs

• Emma Broadfoot sends one right up the middle for a base hit, scoring Jordan Stephens from third. Runners on the corners, one out for Jenna Johnson. 
• Alabama 1 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | Bottom 4th, 1 Out

• Jordan Stephens lays down a bunt as well, and it is mishandled. Two on, nobody out for Kali Heivilin.

• Larissa Preuitt bunts for a single. Ball didn't even get out of the opposite batter's box.

• Montana Fouts strikes out the side in order. She's got five punchouts on the night. Preuitt, Stephens and Heivilin coming up for the Crimson Tide. 
• Alabama 0 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | Mid 4th

Third Inning

• The Crimson Tide strands two more. 
• Alabama 0 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | End 3rd

• Ally Shipman walks. Two on, two out for Bailey Dowling.

• Kenleigh Cahalan rips one to the left center gap for two bases. Ashley Prange up with one out.

• Three up, three down again for Montana Fouts. Johnson, Cahalan and Prange will look to get something going in the bottom half of the third.
• Alabama 0 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | Mid 3rd

• Wow. Great stop at third by Ashley Prange.

Second Inning

• The Crimson Tide strands two on the bases. We're through two — still scoreless. 
• Alabama 0 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | End 2nd

• Kali Heivilin walks. Runners on the corners with two outs for Emma Broadfoot.

• Larissa Preuitt bunts to move Dowling over to second.

• Bailey Dowling is HBP.

• For the second time already tonight, a Lions baserunner has left early — leading to two outs. Montana Fouts is through two scoreless. 
• Alabama 0 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | Mid 2nd

• Montana Fouts surrenders a two-out walk.

First Inning

• Quiet first inning for the Crimson Tide offense. We head to the second inning. 
• Alabama 0 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | End 1st

• Southeastern Louisiana looks like the Savannah Bananas tonight. Yellow tops, yellow bottoms, black socks.

• Nothing doing for the Lions in the first inning. Cahalan, Prange and Shipman will lead it off for the Crimson Tide. 
• Alabama 0 | Southeastern Louisiana 0 | Mid 1st

• A bunt for a single to start the game for Southeastern Louisiana's Cam Goodman.

• We're underway in Game 2 at Rhoads Stadium

Pregame

• Starters for Alabama: 
• 1. Kenleigh Cahalan (SS) 
• 2. Ashley Prange (3B) 
• 3. Ally Shipman (C) 
• 4. Bailey Dowling (DP) 
• 5. Larissa Preuitt (RF) 
• 6. Jordan Stephens (CF) 
• 7. Kali Heivilin (2B) 
• 8. Emma Broadfoot (1B) 
• 9. Jenna Johnson (LF) 
• In the Circle: RHP Montana Fouts (2.90 ERA)

• First pitch is scheduled for approximately 7:02 p.m. CT.

Game 1 — Kennesaw State

Final Score: Alabama 9 | Kennesaw State 2

Seventh Inning

• FINAL: Alabama 9 | Kennesaw State 2 
• The Crimson Tide scores eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings to run away with a win in Game 1 of the doubleheader. 
• Game 2 against Southeastern Louisiana will begin in approximately 30 minutes.

Sixth Inning

• Just three outs to go here in Game 1. 
• Alabama 9 | Kennesaw State 2 | End 6th

• Ashley Prange rips one to short — and it takes a bounce over the head of Owls' shortstop Faith Alexander. Two more score. 
• Alabama 9 | Kennesaw State 2 | Bottom 6th, 1 Out

• A walk for Kenleigh Cahalan — and she advances to second on a wild pitch. Second and third, one out for Ashley Prange.

• Faith Hensley picks up an infield single with one out — and advances to second on an error.

• Great 1-2-3 inning for Jaala Torrence with two strikeouts. Broadfoot, Hensley and Cahalan due to come up for the Crimson Tide. 
• Alabama 7 | Kennesaw State 2 | Mid 6th

Fifth Inning

• The Crimson Tide offense was quiet for much of the ballgame. It explodes for six runs in the bottom of the fifth. 
• Alabama 7 | Kennesaw State 2 | End 5th

• Sacrifice fly from Jordan Stephens scores another for the Crimson Tide. 
• Alabama 7 | Kennesaw State 2 | Bottom 5th, 2 Outs

• Larissa Preuitt delivers with a triple. A hard-hit ball to the wall in right field scores two more for the Crimson Tide. 
• Alabama 6 | Kennesaw State 2 | Bottom 5th, 1 Out

• Kali Heivilin is walked. First and second, still one out for Larissa Preuitt.

• On the first pitch, Ally Shipman drives it to the wall in left center — clearing the bases. 
• Alabama 4 | Kennesaw State 2 | Bottom 5th, 1 Out

• Four-pitch walk for Ashley Prange. The bases are loaded with one away for Ally Shipman. Huge spot for the Crimson Tide here.

• Kenleigh Cahalan drops one into left field for a base hit. Two on, one out for Ashley Prange.

• Faith Hensley is HBP in the head with one out. She appears to be fine.

• Torrence gets out of the fifth. The Owls lead again.
• Kennesaw State 2 | Alabama 1 | Mid 5th

• Another error — this time on Marlie Giles. A run scores for the Owls. Still a runner on third.
• Kennesaw State 2 | Alabama 1 | Top 5th, 2 Outs

• An error on Ashley Prange. They're on the corners with one out for Kennesaw State.

• Hardeman reaches second on a passed ball.

• Jaala Torrence will take over on the mound for Lauren Esman.

• Kennesaw State's Ty Hardeman reaches on a bunt with one out.

Fourth Inning

• Sacrifice fly from Jordan Stephens brings in Heivilin from third. We're tied. 
• Alabama 1 | Kennesaw State 1 | End 4th

• Kali Heivilin singles on a bunt — and advances to second on a throwing error to start the inning.

• Another uneventful inning for Lauren Esman. Heivilin, Preuitt and Stephens will look to get the bats going for the Crimson Tide in the fourth. 
• Kennesaw State 1 | Alabama 0 | Mid 4th

Third Inning

• Cahalan singles, but Shipman can't keep the ball rolling. We're through three. 
• Kennesaw State 1 | Alabama 0 | End 3rd

• Faith Hensley is HBP with one away.

• Three up, three down for Lauren Esman in the third. Giles, Hensley and Cahalan due up for the Crimson Tide. 
• Kennesaw State 1 | Alabama 0 | Mid 3rd

Second Inning

• Stephens is doubled up on a foul-out by Lauren Esman to end the threat for the Crimson Tide. 
• Kennesaw State 1 | Alabama 0 | End 2nd

• One-out base hit for Jordan Stephens.

• Owls' Caroline Shumeyko tries to score on a wild pitch but is met at the plate by Marlie Giles. Great play to erase a potential run. Preuitt, Stephens and Esman coming up for the Crimson Tide. 
• Kennesaw State 1 | Alabama 0 | Mid 2nd

• Kiera Cooper just beats the toss to home plate on an infield single. Owls strike first. Bases still loaded. 
• Kennesaw State 1 | Alabama 0 | Top 2nd, 2 Outs

• Lauren Esman hits Ty Hardeman — the ninth batter for the Owls. Bases loaded, two outs for Kennesaw State's Faith Alexander.

• Kennesaw State starts the second inning with back-to-back singles.

First Inning

• Nothing doing for the Crimson Tide after the leadoff double. 
• Alabama 0 | Kennesaw State 0 | End 1st

• Kenleigh Cahalan starts off the first with a leadoff double. Ball got right under the glove of Owls left fielder Mary Greg Anderson.

• Good response from Lauren Esman. After allowing a leadoff hit, Esman retires three consecutive Owls hitters. Cahalan, Prange and Shipman will start it off for the Crimson Tide. 
• Alabama 0 | Kennesaw State 0 | Mid 1st

• It's a base hit to start the game for Faith Alexander.

• Lauren Esman is in the circle and we are underway at Rhoads Stadium.

Pregame

• Starters for Alabama: 
• 1. Kenleigh Cahalan (SS) 
• 2. Ashley Prange (3B) 
• 3. Ally Shipman (1B) 
• 4. Kali Heivilin (2B) 
• 5. Larissa Preuitt (RF) 
• 6. Jordan Stephens (CF) 
• 7. Lauren Esman (P) 
• 8. Marlie Giles (C) 
• 9. Faith Hensley (LF) 
• DP: Jaala Torrence

• Alabama will be in its dark gray uniforms against Kennesaw State.

• Indiana State defeats Kennesaw State in 10 innings.
• First pitch is in ≈ 30 minutes.

• Alabama Softball was slated to begin against Kennesaw State at 4 p.m. CT. That will not be the case. Indiana State and Kennesaw State are currently going to the ninth inning — scoreless. The Crimson Tide will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of this one.

This is a monumental occasion.

For the first time ever, I am in the press box at Rhoads Stadium — in place of @katiewindham_.

No. 7 #Alabama will play back-to-back games against #KennesawState and #SoutheasternLouisiana beginning at 4 p.m. CT for the 2023 Easton Bama Bash. pic.twitter.com/zqwxWkiYPs

— Austin Hannon (@austinhannon_) February 24, 2023

Spend your Friday with @AlabamaSB

🆚 Kennesaw State/Southeastern Louisiana
📍 Rhoads Stadium
⏱ 4 PM/ 6:30 PM
📺 SEC Network+#RollTide pic.twitter.com/pyFOKB3dDF

— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) February 24, 2023

See Also:

Softball Head Coach Patrick Murphy: 1,200 Wins and Counting

No. 7 Alabama Softball Defeats Samford 3-2

Just A Minute: What Was the Most Impactful Performance in a Big Day for Alabama Athletics?