The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Softball Hosts No. 1/2 Alabama In Home Opener
2/18/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 18, 2013
Live Stats | @UABSoftball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- The UAB softball team faces its third ranked opponent of the season on Tuesday when it hosts defending national champion No. 1/2 Alabama in the Blazers' home opener. First pitch against the Crimson Tide is set for 6 p.m. CT.
All regular bleacher seats have sold out, and only `standing room only' tickets remain for the contest.
Students get free admission to the game, and there will be a Gang Green tailgate with free pizza starting at 5 p.m., just outisde the main gate. Show a valid student I.D. to take advantage of the free promotions.
The first 300 Blazer fans in attendance will receive a free UAB Softball "Team 14" wristband. "Team 14" is the slogan used by the 2013 team to indicate the 14th year that UAB has fielded intercollegiate softball.
Follow @UABSoftball on Twitter for in-game updates.
Last Time Out
This past weekend, the Blazers traveled to Woodstock, Ga., to compete in the Kennesaw State Classic, and posted a 3-1 record over their opponents.
Junior designated hitter Kristen McGrath hit a grand slam in UAB's first win of the weekend, 6-1, over Eastern Kentucky. Later that day, the Blazers defeated SIUE, 7-6, on a walk-off RBI single by senior right fielder Chandler Orr. Senior third baseman Kate Armstrong had two RBI while senior catcher Anna Kimbrell hit a two-run home run in the win.
Against IUPUI, senior pitcher Lauren Webster struck out 14 batters en route to a 3-0 shutout victory. The Blazers out-hit the Jaguars by a margin of 7-2.
In the final game of the weekend, UAB fell to UT Martin, 2-0. The Blazers out-hit the Skyhawks, 8-2, but were unable to come back after falling behind by two runs in the top of the seventh frame.
Scouting Alabama
The Crimson Tide is currently 10-0 and is ranked No. 1 in the USA Today/NFCA Top-25, while the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll puts them at No. 2. Most recently, Alabama claimed the FGCU Tournament in Fort Meyers, Fla., with five wins, including a 2-1 victory over the event's host.
Freshman outfielder Haylie McCleney leads the team with a .600 batting average and 11 stolen bases.
Alabama leads the all-time series with UAB, 12-0. The two squads last met in Tuscaloosa on March 4, 2012, where the Blazers took an early lead, but eventually lost, 4-1.
No Base Is Safe
On the season, UAB is 10-15 in stolen base attempts, and averages 1.67 attempts per game. Freshman shortstop Caitlin Attfield leads the team with a perfect five-for-five mark in stolen base attempts, while senior center fielder Whitney Fletcher is two-for-two. Chandler Orr, sophomore Hayley Davis, and freshman Kelly Britt have also successfully stolen base for the Blazers.
Individuals Leading The League Early
Kristen McGrath leads Conference USA in home runs with four, while Anna Kimbrellsits in a tie for second place with three jacks of her own.
Lauren Webster has recorded a total of 34 strikeouts for third most in the league, and the career high 14 Ks she recorded in the win over IUPUI is the most in one game this season by a C-USA school.
With five successful stolen bases, Caitlin Attfield sits in a tie for third-most in the league.
Best Bats
Through nine games, the Blazers have posted a team batting average of .291, which is best in Conference USA. UAB also boasts a team slugging percentage of .432--second best in C-USA.
The Blazers lead the league in home runs with nine, and have an on-base percentage of .374, which is second in the conference behind Houston.
Winning in The Circle
In the circle, UAB also leads the league in team pitching with an ERA of 2.37. The Blazer pitching staff has combined for a conference-best 75 strikeouts, and also leads the league in batters struck out looking with 22.
Up Next
UAB softball returns to the road on Friday for a doubleheader against Alabama State in Montgomery, Ala. First pitch for game one is set for 4 p.m. CT. Follow @UABSoftball on Twitter for in-game updates.
