The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Softball Tabbed as Conference USA Favorite
1/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 28, 2014
IRVING, Texas – For the first time in school history, the UAB softball team has topped the Preseason Coaches’ Conference USA poll as the choice to win the 2014 league championship. The Blazers, who were tabbed No. 21 in the USA Today/NFCA Preseason Poll last week, received seven of the 13 first-place votes.
The reigning Conference USA Regular Season Champion and 2013 NCAA Louisville Regional Champion edged second-place Tulsa by two first-place votes. Marshall was voted third and East Carolina received one first-place vote and was voted fourth by the league’s head coaches.
In addition to the team recognition, two Blazers were also recognized as preseason all-conference. Sophomore infielder Caitlin Attfield, reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Year, was named to the All-Conference USA Preseason Team, along with senior pitcher Lannah Campbell, who was named First-Team All-Conference USA to cap a memorable 2013 season.
Attfield batted .359 as a freshman, picking up 69 hits, 11 RBI and 25 stolen bases. Campbell tossed 167.2 innings as a junior last season and went 14-6 with a 1.96 ERA. She struck out 180 batters and tossed eight complete games and picked up six saves.
Tulsa’s Jill Barrett was tabbed as the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year, and teammate Aimee Creger picked up preseason pitcher of the year honors.
UAB opens the season Feb. 6 at the South Alabama Mardi Gras Tournament in Mobile.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account, @UABathletics. For an in-depth look into the UAB softball program, follow @UABsoftball on Twitter and Instagram.
