The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Picked To Finish Third In C-USA
1/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 25, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Blazers have been picked by Conference USA's nine head coaches to finish third in this season's conference race, the league office announced Wednesday.
After making its second-straight NCAA Championship appearance in 2011, UAB is coming off one of the program's most successful seasons. The Blazers finished with an overall record of 39-19, tying for the most wins in school history set in 2002.
The 2011 season was the second-straight season the Blazers earned 30 or more wins and the fifth time in program history. UAB's 17-6 league mark landed them third-place in the final C-USA standings. The 17 wins are the most-ever in UAB softball lore.
"It says a lot about our team to be picked to finish third in the league," head coach Marla Townsend said. "We didn't land any individuals on the preseason All-C-USA Team, but that means we are a solid team. Everybody is contributing."
Tulsa, the reigning C-USA regular season champ, was the preseason favorite to win the league in 2012, receiving 79 points and seven first-place votes. Houston was chosen to finish as the runner-up with 67 votes and one first-place vote. UAB was picked to round out the top three preseason selections, receiving 60 votes and one first-place vote.
The Blazers open their 2012 campaign at the FIU Combat Class on Feb. 10 against University of Massachusetts. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. ET at the FIU Softball Complex in Miami, Fla.
Below is a complete list of the 2012 preseason team rankings and softball awards.
Preseason Poll (1st place votes)
1. Tulsa (7) 79
2. Houston (1) 67
3. UAB (1) 60
4. Memphis 52
5. East Carolina 39
6. UCF 33
7. Southern Miss 32
8. Marshall 27
9. UTEP 16
Preseason All-C-USA Team
P Aimee Creger, Tulsa, So.
P Carly Hummel, Memphis, Jr.
C Rebecca Gamby, Marshall, Sr.
IF Samantha Cobb, Tulsa, Jr.
IF Holly Anderson, Houston, Jr.
IF Natalie Land, UCF, Sr.
IF Jessica Phillips, Memphis, Sr.
IF Jill Barrett, Tulsa, So.
IF Kristi Oshiro, East Carolina, So.
OF Caitlin Everett, Tulsa, Jr.
OF Leslie LeJune, Southern Miss, Sr.
OF Suzanne Riggs, East Carolina, Sr.
OF Melissa Gregson, Houston, Sr.
DP Jill Jelnick, East Carolina, So.
UT Chelsea Troupe, UTEP, Sr.
Preseason Player of the Year
Melissa Gregson, Houston, Sr.
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Aimee Creger, Tulsa, So.
