How Alabama’s Softball Season Disappointingly Ends with No Wins at WCWS 2021.

Stanford Ends Alabama’s Season with 2-0 Win in WCWS Elimination Game

Fifth-seeded Alabama‘s Women’s College World Series (WCWS) ended in disappointment after a 2-0 defeat to ninth seed Stanford at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, the Stanford Cardinal earned their first WCWS win since 2004 and has secured a place to play another elimination game against the loser of this Saturday’s game, a matchup between third-seeded Florida State and seventh-seeded Washington.

The Game

Stanford’s Alana Vawter and Nijaree Canady delivered a one-hitter to outshine Alabama‘s Montana Fouts, one of the most accomplished pitchers in the nation. Vawter allowed one hit in 5 1/3 innings while Canady, a freshman, struck out three batters in 1 2/3 innings for the save. In the seventh inning, Sydney Steele hit a solo homer and knocked in both runs to help Stanford secure a 2-0 victory. Alabama finished their WCWS campaign with two consecutive losses, having lost 10-5 to fourth-seeded Tennessee in the opener, and became the first team to be knocked out of the eight-team field in Oklahoma City.

Fouts’ Gutsy Performance and Stellar Career

Despite the loss, Alabama‘s pitcher Montana Fouts delivered a superb performance. In her last game for Alabama, Fouts, a National Fastpitch Coaches Association first-team All-American, threw a five-hitter, collecting four strikeouts. “I will have people for all my life. I don’t even have the words. I don’t know if I ever will. I don’t know if I’ll ever have the words for what this place, Murph and the coaches, and these teammates mean to me. I have a home,” said a heartbroken Fouts, thanking her coach Patrick Murphy and others for her time with the Tide.

Fouts has been a USA Softball collegiate player of the year finalist three times, including this year, and she threw a perfect game in the 2021 WCWS game against UCLA. She has also been drafted by two different leagues, Women’s Professional Fastpitch and Athletes Unlimited. Her collegiate career may be over, but Fouts’ future in softball is bright. Murphy is confident that she will make an impact, even in international competitions, saying, “She’s just an icon in the sport. You’re going to see her for a long, long time.”

Oklahoma State Defeats Utah 8-0

The sixth seed Oklahoma State, another team in the losers’ bracket, defeated fifteenth seed Utah 8-0 in another WCWS elimination game. In a game shortened to five innings by the run rule, Oklahoma State’s pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl delivered a three-hit shutout against Utah with just 53 pitches. Katelynn Carwile had two hits and three RBIs for the Cowgirls. Kelsi Wysong and Chelsea Alexander each had two hits, including a double while Morgyn Wynne hit a two-run double in the 6-run second inning.

Oklahoma State has secured a place to play another elimination game against the loser of Saturday’s match between No. 1 seed Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Washington Beats Utah 4-1

In the other WCWS opener for both teams, the fifth-seed Washington defeated the 15th seed Utah 4-1 with Rylee Holtorf leading the charge, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs, including a two-run homer. Pitcher Lindsay Lopez won in relief, allowing only one hit in 3 2/3 shutout innings.

In the defeat, Utah’s Mariah Lopez delivered a great performance despite giving up four runs. Kendall Lundberg’s RBI double produced the only run for Utah. Washington has secured a match against Florida State on Saturday. The winner of that game would be one victory from advancing out of the double-elimination bracket and into the WCWS championship series.

Conclusion

Despite Alabama‘s early exit, the team had some strong individual performances, particularly from Montana Fouts, who is poised to have a bright and successful future in softball. Meanwhile, Stanford, Oklahoma State, Washington, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Florida State will continue to fight in the coming matches for the top spot in the WCWS and to bring glory to their respective universities.

As the tournament progresses, these matches are sure to bring exciting moments in the world of softball.