Will Alabama softball have Montana Fouts for Tuscaloosa Regional? What we know

Since Montana Fouts injured her knee vs. Arkansas in last week's SEC tournament, it has become the most significant story surrounding Alabama softball going into the Tuscaloosa Regional and this week's NCAA Tournament.

Fouts is the nation's leader in strikeouts, with 311, and has thrown over half the Crimson Tide's innings this season, a ratio that has only increased since the start of SEC play. She holds a 1.46 ERA with a 23-9 record.

The Crimson Tide, the overall No. 5 seed in the tournament, will face Long Island at 6 p.m. Friday at Rhoads Stadium (ESPN+). Middle Tennessee State and Central Arkansas will face off in the opening game of the regional at 3:30 p.m.

How did the Montana Fouts injury happen?

Fouts injured her left knee after recording her ninth strikeout against the Razorbacks. She would attempt to stay in the game but exited after some warm-up pitches. After the game, coach Patrick Murphy told SEC Network that Fouts slipped when finishing the pitch.

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Previous updates on Montana Fouts injury

While there was no update during Sunday's selection show, Murphy told reporters that Fouts would see Dr. Lyle Cain of Andrews Sports Medicine in Birmingham on Monday. On Wednesday, Murphy went on the Gary Harris Show on Tide 100.9 and called Fouts day-to-day.

What Patrick Murphy said on Thursday about Montana Fouts' injury

During his final press conference before the NCAA Tournament, Murphy again deemed Fouts day-to-day but did say "[the injury] is a lot better than what I thought, it's still day-to-day." Fouts will need to pass three tests to return, and the decision to step back in the circle will be hers.

"The doc said it's totally up to her, however, she progressed in the rehab, PT. It was up to her," Murphy said.

If Montana Fouts can't play, who starts for Alabama softball?

If history shows us one thing, it is that Murphy never throws his No. 1 pitcher on Friday in a regional, something that he reminded the media. That would give Fouts an extra day of rest.

If Fouts is unable to go for the full regional, however, then Alabama will need to turn to Alex Salter, Jaala Torrence and Lauren Esman. Each brings a different style: Esman is a left-hander, Torrence has the best velocity on the team, while Salter throws her fastball in the lower 60s.

Each has shown the ability to shut down an opposing offense, with Salter having shutouts vs. Tennessee and Mississippi State in the regular season. Torrrence threw a no-hitter against Robert Morris, and has allowed 11 runs in her last six starts.

This story will be updated

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Montana Fouts injury update 24 hours before NCAA softball regional