The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Softball Set To Compete In Panera Bread Challenge
2/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 23, 2006
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The UAB softball team will travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., this weekend to compete in the 2006 Panera Bread Challenge hosted by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The Blazers enter the weekend with a 2-1 overall mark and will play six games in three days.
"We are looking forward to playing six games in three days," said Blazer head coach Marla Townsend. "We are looking for people to step up and we should have a chance for everyone to see the field. Overall this weekend is a great opportunity for us to face some tough opponents."
UAB is scheduled to face East Tennessee State Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET and Belmont at 4:45 p.m. ET to open the tournament. The Blazers lead the all-time series with ETSU, 1-0 and will face Belmont for the first time in school history. UAB will face Virginia Saturday at 10 a.m. ET and Bowling Green at 4:45 p.m. ET. On the final day of the tournament, the Blazers will face Miami (Ohio) at 2:30 p.m. ET and UTC at 4:45 p.m. ET. UAB has won the last three-meetings against UTC.
The Blazers are coming off a mid-week match up with No. 20 Auburn. UAB managed three hits but could not push across a run against Auburn pitcher Holly Currie. The Tigers defeated the Blazers, 8-0, in the 2006 home opener.
In the Centenary College Tournament, UAB managed to defeat Nicholls State, 11-5 in the season opener and run-ruled Arkansas, 9-1 in game two.
This season, UAB is led by junior Nicole Whitlock and freshman Andrea Rogers. Both have started all three games and are hitting .500 this year. Senior Chelsea McCall has been productive at the plate as well hitting .444 with five runs scored. Sophomore Holly Krzan has provided the power in the lineup to this point, with two long balls this season including two grand slams against Nicholls State.
Freshman Kayla Harris and sophomore Amanda Antonovich have handled the pitching duties. Harris is 1-1 on the year, while Antonovich has pitched in two games and has a 1-0 record. The Blazers also have depth at the pitching position with junior Brittany Hodge and sophomore Jennifer Nelson.
Complete coverage of the Panera Bread Challenge can be found at www.uabsports.com.
