The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Softball Announces Schedule For 2009 Season
11/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 6, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB softball team released its 53-game schedule for the 2009 season. This year's slate features matchups against 10 teams which appeared in the 2008 NCAA Regionals, along with a season opening trip to Honolulu, Hawaii to compete at the Hawaii Paradise Classic.
The Classic is set to take place on Feb. 5-7 and will be hosted by the University of Hawaii. The Blazers will face off against LSU, Oklahoma and Hawaii over the three-day tournament. All three opponents advanced to the NCAA Regionals last season.
In addition, the Blazers will face seven other teams from last year's NCAA Regional field this season, including Mississippi State, Alabama, Chattanooga, East Carolina, Tulsa, UCF and Houston. Alabama was one of eight teams to make it to the 2008 Women's College World Series.
"We are starting off with a bang," said head coach Marla Townsend. "It will immediately let us know how competitive we are. I'm looking forward to it. The Classic is going to be a very good test for us."
UAB will face the Tigers again as it heads to Baton Rouge, La. for the LSU Purple and Gold Challenge Feb.20-22. The non-conference tournament schedule wraps as UAB hosts the annual Magic City Classic in Birmingham on Feb. 27-March 1. It will be the ninth time the Blazers have taken part in the tournament, winning it seven times. Alabama State, Samford, Northern Illinois, Pittsburgh and Michigan State will participants in this year's event.
"We are bringing in some very good teams for the Magic City Classic," Townsend said. "It's going to be a fun-filled weekend with a bunch of good games."
After a matchup against the Crimson Tide, on March 4, the team will begin its Conference USA schedule when Southern Miss comes to town on March 7 for a three-game series. The Blazers will also play host to East Carolina (March 21-22), UTEP (March 28-29) and Marshall (April 18-19) in league play.
The team will hit the road for C-USA matchups against UCF (March 14-15), Houston (April 4-5) and Tulsa (April 10-11) before closing out their regular season with a three-game series at Memphis on April 28-29. The 2009 C-USA Softball Championship will begin on May 7 in El Paso, Texas.
"It's just amazing how much improvement there has been in Conference USA," said Townsend. "With the caliber of teams this year, it's going to be tough."
The Blazers also play non-conference doubleheaders at home against Alabama A&M, Chattanooga and St. Louis. They will play non-conference doubleheaders on the road against Alabama A&M, Kennesaw State and Troy.
UAB's first home game is set for Feb. 24 as Alabama A&M and the Blazers square off in a mid-week double header at George Ward Park. First pitch is at 4:00 p.m. CDT.
