The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Softball Announces 2011 Schedule
12/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Dec. 15, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The UAB softball team released its 2011 schedule Wednesday that features 56 games, including 25 at UAB Softball Field. The Blazers will face nine opponents this season that received NCAA tournament berths a year ago, including NCAA Super Regional participant Alabama.
UAB is coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history, after recording the program's second-most wins (37) and receiving its first-ever invitation to the NCAA tournament. All-Conference USA First Team selections Mandy Lowman and Kayla Orr return for the Blazers this season along with second team honorees Alisha Smith and Lauren Webster.
The Blazers open their 2011 campaign at the Hibbett/Easton All-Alabama Softball Classic Feb. 11-13 at Liberty Park in Vestavia Hills, Ala. UAB will face in-state foes Jacksonville State, South Alabama, Samford, Troy and Alabama A&M.
"We are looking forward to starting off at the Hibbett/Easton All-Alabama Softball Classic," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "With all of the Division I teams in the state coming together for the tournament, it's just an outstanding opportunity for the public to witness quality softball."
UAB will then hit the road for the USF-Fairfield Inn and Suites Tampa North Softball Tournament Feb. 18-20 in Tampa, Fla. The Blazers' tournament play will be highlighted by matchups with 2010 NCAA Regional qualifiers DePaul and Fordham.
The Green and Gold will return to Birmingham for their 2011 home opener against Alabama on Feb. 22. The Crimson Tide spent the entire 2010 season ranked in the top 10 and captured the Southeastern Conference Championship.
The Blazers remain in Birmingham to co-host the Magic City Classic with Samford Feb. 25-27. UAB will play 2010 NCAA tournament qualifier Radford, in addition to Stephen F. Austin, Eastern Illinois and Alabama State at UAB Softball Field. The 2011 tournament will mark the 11th time the Blazers have participated in the Magic City Classic, winning it eight times.
Townsend's squad will wrap up its non-conference tournaments at Georgia Tech's Buzz Classic in Woodstock, Ga. from March 4-6. The Blazers will face five teams over the three-day stretch, including 2010 Atlantic 10 champion and regional qualifier UMass.
Last season, Conference USA saw three teams reach postseason play in league champion East Carolina, UCF and UAB. The Blazers open their C-USA slate at Houston (March 12-13). UAB will also face league opponents UCF (March 26-27), Tulsa (April 22-23) and Memphis (April 30-May 1) on the road.
UAB will kick off its C-USA home schedule with a series against Southern Miss (March 19-20). The Green and Gold will also host UTEP (April 2-3), East Carolina (April 16-17) and Marshall (May 7-8) in league play. East Carolina will host the 2011 C-USA Championships May 12-14 in Greenville, N.C.
The Blazers will also play non-conference midweek doubleheaders against 2010 NCAA Regional qualifier Lipscomb (March 8), Murray State (March 15), Kennesaw State (March 30), Chattanooga (April 7), and single games against Mississippi State (March 1) and Jacksonville State (April 14 & May 5).
"We are looking forward to continuing the success we had last season," Townsend said. "We have a talented group of ladies that worked extremely hard in the offseason to prepare for success in 2011."
