Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts tossed a complete-game shutout and the No. 16 Crimson Tide defeated the ninth-ranked University of Arkansas 2-0 on Saturday at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
It was the Razorbacks’ fourth loss in a row, and fifth in six games.
Chenise Delce started in the circle for Arkansas (20-8, 1-3 SEC), and allowed 2 runs — 1 earned — off 4 hits in 5 innings.
The Crimson Tide (22-6, 1-0) broke a scoreless game in the second inning when a bases-loaded passed ball allowed Jordan Stephens to score. Alabama extended the lead to 2-0 in the fourth inning after a leadoff double from Bailey Dowling was followed by an RBI single by Jenna Johnson.
Johnson finished 3 for 3 at the place. Dowling and Kali Heivilin were the only other Crimson Tide players to record a hit, each with one.
Arkansas struggled offensively. Regan Johnson began the game with a single, but the Razorbacks had just one more hit, a fourth-inning single by Hannah Gammill.
Fouts (11-3) struck out eight Razorbacks and issued no walks, throwing 100 pitches and facing 23 batters.
Game 2 of the series is at 5 p.m. Central today, airing on SEC Network.