Solid Pitching Pushes No. 9 Alabama Softball Past UAB, 2-1

The pitching duo of Lauren Esman and Montana Fouts held the Blazers to just three hits on the night.

Joey Blackwell | Mar 8, 2023

Solid Pitching Pushes No. 9 Alabama Softball Past UAB, 2-1 /

On a night where both lineups were seemingly cold, Alabama softball was hot in the circle between starting pitcher Lauren Esman and Montana Fouts, holding UAB to just three hits in seven innings as No. 9 Alabama baseball squeaked by to a 2-1 win in Birmingham.

In the bottom of the first, the Blazers got on the board first with an RBI infield single by Lilly Crowe with two outs. However, it wouldn’t take the Crimson Tide long to respond.

In the top of the third, Larissa Preuitt hit an infield single, then stole second base to put herself in scoring position. An RBI-single by Ashley Prange tied the game, then an RBI-groundout by Bailey Dowling gave Alabama a 2-1 lead.

After scoreless fourth and fifth innings for both sides, an infield single by Dowling put a runner on base for the Crimson Tide. A sac-bunt by Emma Broadfoot then moved Dowling to second, but Valbak’s ninth strikeout of the night left her stranded.

In the bottom of the sixth, Fouts took over from starting pitcher Esman in the circle — the first time that Fouts had ever pitched against the Blazers in her career. Fouts made quick work of UAB in the sixth with two swinging strikeouts and a line out, retiring the side in order.

In the top of the seventh, Ally Shipman doubled to center field. A groundout by Preuitt then moved Shipman to third, but it was there that she would be left stranded.

In the bottom of the seventh, Fouts struck out the leadoff batter before forcing a groundout and leaving the Blazers with just one out left. Fouts ended the game with an exclamation point, throwing her fourth strikeout in two innings to secure the 2-1 win for the Crimson Tide.

Esman (3-0) was issued the win for Alabama, while Fouts (2) was credited with the save. Combined, the duo held UAB to just three hits on the night.

With the win, Alabama moves to 19-3 on the season while UAB falls to 10-11 with the loss. The Crimson Tide will travel to Austin, Texas, to take on Wisconsin, Texas and Texas State at the Bevo Classic.

Joey Blackwell is an award-winning journalist and assistant editor for BamaCentral and has covered the Crimson Tide since 2018. He primarily covers Alabama football, men's basketball and baseball, but also covers a wide variety of other sports. Joey earned his bachelor's degree in History from Birmingham-Southern College in 2014 before graduating summa cum laude from the University of Alabama in 2020 with a degree in News Media. He has also been featured in a variety of college football magazines, including Lindy's Sports and BamaTime.

See Also: