The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Seven Commit To UAB Softball
11/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 15, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB softball head coach Marla Townsend announced Thursday that seven high school players have signed to play for the green and gold beginning the in the fall of 2008. Of the seven players to commit to UAB, five are from the state of Alabama, and one from Georgia and Florida.
The five Alabama players that signed with the Blazers are Catherine Douglass, a shortstop/catcher/outfielder from Hueytown High School; Maegan Hornsby, second baseman from Hoover High School; Mandy Lowman, a catcher/first baseman from Westminster Christian Academy; Erica Sisson, a catcher from Hoover High School; and Amber Torres, a pitcher from Sparkman High School. Kari Barnes, an infielder from Alexander High School in Winston, Ga. and Lindsey Croft, a pitcher from Wellington High School in Wellington, Florida, have also signed to play for the Blazers.
"This signing class brings in a well-rounded, talented group of athletes, which will really complement each other," Townsend said. "Not only are these young ladies outstanding athletes, they all come to us from top-ranked high school programs and summer programs. They know the meaning of dedication and what it takes to play at this level."
Douglass has been named twice to the all-tournament team at the state championship tournament in 2006 and 2007. She has also played on two teams that have won the Class 5A State Championships. Her 18-under team placed fifth at the ASA nationals in 2007 n and plays on the Pride during the summer. She was tabbed Athlete of the Week by the Birmingham News and a Wendy's Nominee for the High School Heisman. Douglass was also a cross country athlete at Hueytown High School.
Hornsby has been named to the Birmingham News All-State the past two seasons, and has also been named to the Birmingham News All-Metro Honorable Mention Team three times. In 2007, she was selected to participate in the North/South All Star game. She led her team in home runs and runs scored her sophomore, and helped Hoover place third at the Class 6A state tournament. Named to the Class 6A Area 11 All-Tournament Team in 2007 and the Class 6A Area 11 All-Tournament Team in 2005. Hornsby is also a member of the National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars. Hornsby along with high school teammate Sisson, play on Bama Gold travel team.
Lowman is an all-state catcher out of Westminster Christian Academy. She was named a Class 2A all-state catcher by the ASWA and a Super All-Metro catcher by the Huntsville Times in 2007. Lowman was her high school's MVP and team captain her junior season. She was a four time All-Area Softball player and high school's best offensive player for the past three seasons. Lowman is listed in the AHSAA record book for most doubles in a career and home runs in a season. She posted a .459 batting average over the summer of 2007. Lowman is a member of the National Honor Society and 2007 Birmingham News All-Academic Team. During the summer Lowman plays on the Alabama Crusaders, along with Torres.
Sisson was named Birmingham News Scholar-Athlete of the Week. She has played on two teams that placed third and sixth at the Class 6A State Tournament, and also the 2005 team that won a regional championship. Sisson has played on six travel teams that have won two USFA State Championships, and played in two USFA World Series. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.
Torres helped her team win the 2006 Alabama 6A State Championship and reach the championship game last season. In 2007, she was named to the Alabama Sports Writer Association All-State First-Team. She was named to the Huntsville Super All-Metro First Team and State Championship All-Tournament team. Torres was selected to play in the North/South All Star game. She helped her team go undefeated at the 2006 State Tournament. She earned all-metro honors her freshman year.
Barnes has been an all-conference selection in four consecutive years at Alexander High School. She was named 2007's region player of the year and was a member of the 2006 all-state team. She also led her high school and summer team in home runs, while maintaining the highest batting average on her high school team. Barnes has played on two high school teams to reach the state tournament.
Croft has been a strong pitcher for Wellington High School the past three seasons. Her junior season, Croft was named to the Palm Beach Post and Sun-Sentinel All-Area Second Team for Big Schools. She was also named to the Western Conference First-Team in 2007. Croft tossed 63 innings during the season, striking out 126 with an ERA of 0.96. She struck out 88 in 2006 and had an ERA of 0.85, earning Western Conference Second-Team honors. Croft was also named an honorable mention for big schools by the Palm Beach Post and Sun-Sentinel. She played on a summer travel team for Davie Power that was coached by Steve Nicastro.
"I honestly think that down the road we are going to look back and recognize this class as one of our top recruiting classes in UAB softball's history," Townsend said. "We look for athletes who can come in and make an immediate impact and this class is capable of having a large impact. These seven young ladies already bleed green and gold."
