The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Host Chattanooga For Thursday Doubleheader
4/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 6, 2011
UAB-Chattanooga Game Notes | Game One Gametracker | Watch
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB softball team continues its homestand with a doubleheader against Chattanooga on Thursday. The two teams will square off for the first game at 4 p.m. at UAB Softball Field with the second game immediately following.
UAB At A Glance
UAB (27-9, 11-1 C-USA) has claimed 14 of its last 16 contests and is 10-2 at home heading into this week's doubleheader against Chattanooga. The Blazers have won five in a row.
The Blazers have claimed four straight C-USA series. Last weekend, UAB swept the UTEP Miners, including an 8-0 run-rule victory in the series finale on Sunday. The Blazers earned 3-1 and 11-4 victories in the doubleheader on Saturday.
The UAB pitching staff ranks first in C-USA with a 1.22 team ERA. UAB has recorded 12 shutouts and held opponents to a .195 batting average. Lauren Webster (10-2) has a league-best ERA of 0.51 after allowing just four earned runs in 54.2 innings pitched.
The Green and Gold are currently hitting .261 as a team. Rightfielder Sallie Van Kirk leads the team with a .346 batting average. Centerfielder Caley Walden has posted a team-high 21 runs and 39 hits, while shortstop Kayla Orr has registered 19 RBI.
Scouting Chattanooga
The Lady Mocs enter Thursday's doubleheader with a 25-8 overall record. Chattanooga has won four in a row and six of its last seven contests. Last weekend, the Lady Mocs swept a three-game series at Elon, winning 7-5, 13-2 and 3-1.
Michelle Fuzzard leads the team at the plate with a .392 batting average and 40 RBI. Lyndsey Stiles boasts a .381 average and team-bests in hits (4) and runs (35).
In the circle, a trio of pitchers have carried the load for Chattanooga. Kandice Irwin (8-2) holds the best ERA among the three at 1.56. Fuzzard (11-5) has a 3.05 ERA, while Nikki Waters (6-1) has a 3.08 ERA.
Series History
Thursday's doubleheader opener will mark the 17th meeting between the two teams. The two teams split last year's doubleheader in Chattanooga, with UAB winning the first game, 3-1, and Chattanooga taking the second, 2-1.
Chattanooga has won four of the last six meetings, but has only one victory in Birmingham. The Blazers are 5-1 against the Lady Mocs in the Magic City, with Chattanooga's only win coming on April 16, 2009, in a 4-2 decision.
Stellar Pitching
The UAB pitching staff has been stellar so far this season. The Blazer pitchers have combined for a 1.22 ERA, the best in C-USA and fifth best in the nation. Leigh Streetman's five saves are sixth nationally, while Alisha Smith ranks ninth with 0.88 walks allowed per seven innings.
