“I wouldn’t have wanted to do this anywhere else” – Fouts Delivers Championship Gem for Talons
Talons Claim Inaugural AUSL Championship Behind Fouts’ Masterpiece
Championship situations often bring out the best in pitchers, and we saw that today. Montana Fouts and the Bandits’ pitchers left it all in the circle. Also, it would not be the South without random rain showers popping in, but we got through today though.
History was made in Tuscaloosa, Alabama as the Talons won the inaugural AUSL Championship over the Bandits, 1-0.
Today was a championship-style pitching duel, and with all of the offense this season, this was the lowest scoring game of the year. Save the best pitching and defensive performance for last, right?
Montana Fouts went the complete distance and threw a season-high seven strikeouts while allowing only five hits.
You also have to tip your cap to Taylor McQuillin. McQuillin dealed as well for the Bandits before exiting. She pitched four innings, giving up just one hit, one walk, and struck out four.
After an hour and twenty-five-minute rain delay, the Bandits turned to Lexi Kilfoyl, who continued what McQuillin started. Kilfoyl tossed three innings, allowed two hits, one run, one walk, and recorded four strikeouts.
The game had all of the characteristics of a championship, and the anticipation of who would break first was thick in the Alabama heat.
Romero Breaks Through in a Scoreless Duel
All it takes is one swing.
Sydney Romero homered to left with one out for a solo shot to give the Talons a 1-0 lead, the game’s only run.
Romero was asked afterward if she was looking for anything in particular.
“Lexi’s go-to is drop. I was hunting dropball,” said Romero.
Sydney Romero got her chance at her pitch twice that at-bat. The second time, she did not miss.
“I was just looking for something over the plate, and the changeup stayed elevated and it ran just right through my barrel.
First pitch I saw it, I was like, dang, I wanted that one. Then I took it, and then off my bat, I just knew it was gone, but I was super excited.”
That was the lone run that propelled the Talons to their championship win.
Fouts Finishes What She Started
Fouts kept dealing the rest of the way and never let the Bandits get a real chance to tie or take the lead. All the way to the end, Fouts was locked in and on her game. Playing in front of this Tuscaloosa crowd, it only felt right.
And with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, on a 3-2 pitch to Bella Dayton, Montana Fouts recorded her seventh and final strikeout to clinch the inaugural AUSL Championship.
Fouts was filled with gratitude after the game, for both the team and the fans.
“I feel like I wouldn’t have wanted to do this anywhere else with anybody else.
I’ve been very fortunate to be with the coaching staff and with the team for a couple of months now, and I feel like we really are a family, and that’s what makes this so special.
Obviously winning is awesome, but I just feel like whenever you step on the field with people like this, you’ve already won and that’s what I felt like,” said Fouts.
A Fitting Finale in Tuscaloosa
Of course, Montana Fouts was asked about Tuscaloosa and the crowd this week.
“This is home to me. I feel like this is the place that has helped me be who I am, and the people, and the fans continue to come out.
I’ve seen people that I’ve seen the past five years when I was playing in the crowd, which is very home feeling, so I’m very appreciative of that,” said Fouts.
The crowd was very pro-Fouts of course, but they also came to support the Talons.
“I just feel like they come and they love good softball.
I do think that we’re fortunate enough to play in several different places where that was the case also.
But for me, it just felt like we had a homecoming. It wasn’t just me, but I know that they love each player individually, and I think that’s what made it so special.
I mean, they were cheering for the Talons,” said Fouts.
She also joked that this may have been one of the first crowds all year to overwhelmingly cheer for the Talons. Fouts added that this team is very easy to love, and she was just appreciative of everyone showing up and staying throughout.
Congratulations once again to the Talons! Your 2025 AUSL Champions!
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