Softball America names SEC ace as 2023 NCAA Pitcher of the Year, draws reaction
Softball America turned heads Monday morning when it named Alabama ace Montana Fouts as its 2023 NCAA Pitcher of the Year.
Fouts, who was a four-time All-American for the Crimson Tide, won 100 games at Alabama during her college softball career. This year, she posted a 25-11 record with a 1.49 ERA and 323 strikeouts.
Nearly a week ago Fouts won the Honda Sport Award from the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards, the first softball recipient of the award in Alabama’s history.
Fouts and the Crimson Tide early this month saw their season end against Stanford Cardinal, 2-0. Alabama left the Women’s College World Series after losses to Tennessee and Stanford. She had an emotional reaction at the end of the season.
Fouts suffered a leg injury, but returned to the circle to close out the Super Regionals in front of Alabama’s home crowd.
She finished her career with the Crimson Tide ranked second in program history in strikeouts (1,181), third in shutouts (35), fourth in wins (100) and complete games (89) and fifth in ERA (1.66).
The ace. ?@AlabamaSB‘s Montana Fouts is our 2023 NCAA Pitcher of the Year.https://t.co/nhFIYn8HrJ pic.twitter.com/cFJNQaBq4b
— Softball America (@SoftbalAmerica) June 19, 2023
Here’s a sample of the mixed reaction to the honor:
Okay but, why.
She’s a stud of a player and better than most in the country, but just not the pitcher of the year.
Bahl and Canadee are miles ahead
— TK (@TrKx07) June 19, 2023
— SoonerKeith (@SoonerKeith1) June 19, 2023
What…. She’s good but not pitcher of the year good….
— Brandon Lee (@mainestudent) June 19, 2023
LOL….ok.
— Soonergrif (@Soonergriff) June 19, 2023
I mean….. what are the qualifications?
— Dustin (@oudustin18) June 19, 2023
RTR forever Montana. We love you in Title Town and always will. Built by Bama first Where Legends Are Made ???♥️
— Delorah McDonald (@mdelorah) June 19, 2023
Guess they never heard of Jordy Bahl pic.twitter.com/zp7F71DpTy
— Furry Waylon (@phopawdooda) June 19, 2023
What???
— MACK (@cartaMack) June 19, 2023