TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama softball posted its third shutout of the weekend, defeating Clemson 5-0 to win the Tuscaloosa Regional and punch its 16th ticket to the NCAA Super Regional round.
Alabama (48-7) didn't allow a single run all weekend, completing the shutout sweep Sunday against Clemson (44-8) to send the Crimson Tide to Super Regionals. Since the current postseason format was adopted in 2005, Alabama is the only team to play in every Super Regional round. The win improves the Tide's regional win streak to 43-straight games, stretching back to 2007.
Playing as the designated visiting team, Alabama got on the board in the top of the first on a sac fly RBI from Kaylee Tow. With two on base in the next inning, Taylor Clark slammed a three-run home run to center field to stretch the lead to 4-0. Speed on the basepaths tacked on another in the fourth, with an infield single from Alexis Mack leading to an errant throw as Elissa Brown rounded third and scored to make it 5-0. Montana Fouts (24-3) and the defense did the rest, holding the Tigers out of the run column with just three hits and two walks with 12 strikeouts.
Next up, Alabama will host the Super Regional round facing 14th-seed Kentucky, who won the Lexington Regional. Dates, times and TV information are to be determined.
FROM HEAD COACH PATRICK MURPHY
"Again, Montana [Fouts] was terrific. I thought our speed game made a big difference this weekend. They hurried some throws. Taylor Clark came through big again. That might be the hardest-hit ball she's had in her career here. [Alexis] Mack in the fifth made them hurry and they threw it away and that scored a run."
HIGHLIGHTS
- Alabama improves to 62-9 in regional play, including a 55-3 mark at home
- The Tide has now won 43-straight games in the regional round, stretching back to 2007
- Since the current postseason format was adopted in 2005, Alabama is the only team to play in every Super Regional round
- The three shutouts mark the first time the Tide has shut out every opponent in a regional round
- The 44 strikeouts this weekend by Alabama pitchers are the Tide's most in regional play, beating the old record of 36 over five games in 2007
- Alabama improves its current win streak to 16 games, 14 of which have come over ranked foes
- The Tide has not trailed at the end of an inning in 107 straight innings
- Alexis Mack improved her hitting streak to 12 games and Elissa Brown to 11
- Montana Fouts now has 19 games with 10+ strikeouts, 13 of which have come against ranked teams
SCORING SUMMARY
- T1 | Alexis Mack tagged up and scored on a sacrifice fly from Kaylee Tow (1-0, 1 Out)
- T2 | Taylor Clark slammed a three-run home run to center field (4-0, 0 Out)
- T4 | An infield single from Alexis Mack forced an errant throw that allowed Elissa Brown to round third and score (5-0, 2 Out)
UP NEXT – NCAA SUPER REGIONALS (TUSCALOOSA, ALA.)
- vs. Kentucky – Dates, Times and TV TBD
