The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Townsend Inks New UAB Softball Class
11/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 12, 2014
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- UAB softball head coach Marla Townsend signed Tori Perkins, Analyse Petree, Tiffani Railey, Sophie Robic and Lizzie Ryan to the class of 2015-16, announced on Thursday.
"We are really excited about the girls coming into the program," said Townsend. "We believe that they reflect the qualities of the student-athletes we want and will make a positive impact on our softball family."
Perkins played her high school softball at JM Tate High School in Cantonment, Fla., and travel ball with the West Florida Elite under coach Tim Dunsford. She has been named ESPN Pensacola’s Star Athlete, along with earning First Team All-Area and State Final Four Pitcher distinctions. Along with being tabbed JM Tate High School’s Most Athletic and placed in its hall of fame, Perkins was Max Preps’ Athlete of the Week on Feb. 24, 2014. She was the FCA Congressional Award winner for JM Tate.
“I can't wait to play the game I love at the next level with girls and coaches who are already like family to me,” said Perkins. “Committing to be a Blazer was the best decision I could have ever made.”
Petree, native of Apopka, Fla., has been a four-year starter for Apopka High School at shortstop and a captain, while also claiming two state titles with the Windermere Wildfire under coach Steve Stutsman. She was named the freshman offensive player of the year for Apopka and earned All-Metro Conference distinctions. Petree repeated as all-metro as a sophomore before earning Defensive Player of the Year, All-Metro Conference, All-Central Florida, Florida Coaches Association District Player of the Year and Florida Dairy Farmer Player of the Year finalist honors.
"I cannot wait to see what my future holds for me in Birmingham and as a part of the UAB family," said Petree. "I'm beyond excited to enjoy the best four years of my life as a Blazer. I hope to accomplish my goals and grow as a person as well as a player."
Railey joins the UAB family after playing for North Florida Christian under coach Dennis Gorham and the West Florida Elite. In 2014, she was named First Team All-Big Bend and the defensive player of the year. Railey has been a part of many team successes, claiming district titles in 2013 and 2014, along with a regional championship in 2014 and making it to the 2014 Florida State Final Four.
"I am beyond excited for this next step in my softball career," said Railey. "Having this opportunity to be a player at UAB is a dream come true. I am so blessed and thankful."
Robic has been a standout at Lexington Catholic High School and for the Blue Angels Gold in Lexington, Ky. She has been a five-time varsity captain and was named to the all-district first team on four occasions. Robic earned Kentucky All-State status and was tabbed a Kentucky State All-Star as a junior. As a freshman, she was recognized as the Kentucky Freshman Athlete of the Year. Robic has been a part of a fifth-place finish at the Amateur Softball Association Gold Nationals and a 10th-place finish in Premier Girls Fastpitch.
"I'm so grateful and excited for the opportunity to play the game I love at such a distinguished university like UAB," said Robic.
Ryan comes to Birmingham after playing for the Germantown Red Devils and St. Benedict High School in Germantown, Tenn. She played outfield for the Red Devils while earning several accolades. Ryan was named the rookie of the year as a freshman, defensive player of the year as a sophomore and region MVP as a junior. In addition to three all-region distinctions and two all-metro honors, Ryan was tabbed all-state by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association last season.
"It has always been a dream of mine to not only play NCAA Division I softball, but also to get the best education possible," said Ryan. "UAB fulfills both of those desires so I am beyond excited to become a Blazer."
For more information on the UAB softball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UABSoftball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official Twitter account of UAB Athletics (@UABAthletics).
