Alabama pitcher makes up for Fouts’ absence in NCAA regional shutout win over LIU

As Patrick Murphy started his opening postgame statement on Friday, the lights in the Rhoads Stadium press box blinked off for a moment before turning back on.

It wasn’t necessarily a press conference by candlelight, but Murphy still jokingly turned to Jaala Torrence as he regained his visibility and summed up the impact of her performance and their situation in one word:

“Hallelujah.”

With ace Montana Fouts hobbled with a brace on her left leg, the familiar buzz of NCAA tournament softball took over Rhoads Stadium and Alabama (41-18) delivered for the sellout crowd in its 5-0 win over LIU (32-25).

The Crimson Tide managed a pair of two-run home runs. Meanwhile, Alabama’s Jaala Torrence pitcher dealt one of the best games of her career. She generated swings and misses in key moments, relied on the defenders behind her at times and struck out five for seven scoreless innings, powering UA.

“From now on it’s basically the matchups and we thought she matched up the best with them. I’ll take a shut-out anytime any day against anybody, especially in the NCAA tournament,” Murphy said.

Alabama is now scheduled to play Middle Tennessee on Saturday at 12 p.m. Should it win, the Crimson Tide will advance to Sunday. If Alabama loses, it’ll face either Central Arkansas or LIU during an elimination game tomorrow night.

Murphy was unsure of Fouts’ availability for the remainder of this weekend but said she threw a bullpen Friday. Starting outfielder Jenna Johnson was also held out as a precaution due to a quad injury, Murphy said.

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In the opening innings Alabama displayed the blueprint that it hopes will send it back to the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2021. With two outs in the first, senior Ashley Prange and junior Bailey Dowling delivered back-to-back doubles to left field for the game’s opening run.

At the top of the next frame, right fielder Larissa Preuitt made a diving catch and got a double play throwing behind the runner at second base to get Torrence out of a jam.

“I didn’t feel any pressure,” Torrence said. “I feel like (Fouts has) been such an asset for me. She talked to me throughout that whole game, asking me how I feel, how the pitches feel. I feel like just our team we appreciate it her so much whether she’s on the field or in the dugout.”

The momentum only grew in Alabama’s favor when Kali Heivilin smacked a two-run home run over the left-field fence. The sophomore infielder pointed to Emma Broadfoot, the runner she had just driven home, while the pair jogged the bases.

Lindsey Downs, the lone LIU pitcher selected to the All-Northeast Conference second team, was replaced before she could record an out in the second inning.

Sophomore Alyssa O’Donnell replaced Downs and kept Alabama’s hitters off balance for a few innings. But that changed when senior catcher Ally Shipman connected on her fifth home run of the year to make it 5-0.

Making her first start since March 14 at North Alabama, Torrence appeared to find a rhythm the longer she found herself in the circle. After Preuitt’s double play, Torrence retired 12 LIU batters in a row, including back-to-back strikeouts looking to end the fourth.

The only jam Torrence found herself in was in the top of the sixth inning. Following a string of hard-hit outs, LIU worked runners on the corners with two outs and No. 2 hitter Kristen Blanchard stepping to the plate.

Both Tide fans and the small contingent of Sharks supporters behind the road dugout could be heard willing their teams on, but as she did for most of Friday, Torrence won the battle and forced a ground ball to second.

Torrence set a season-high in strikeouts while tossing the first seven-inning complete game of her career.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at NAlvarez@al.com.