The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Softball Signs Three
11/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 13, 2015
Claire Blount, Ashton Clem and Molli Garcia inked their NLIs and joined the 2015-16 UAB signing class.
Blount and Clem are high school seniors that have combined for four all-state selections. Clem hails from Alabama while Blount is a Florida native.
Garcia is a transfer from Wallace State-Hanceville, having played high school softball at Canyon Springs. Garcia has been a staple behind the plate for Wallace State.
“We have expectations that these outstanding ladies will be able to contribute immediately,” said Townsend. “We are excited about them, their pride for UAB and the closeness they already have with the program. This signing class has proven to be relentless on the field and bring a competitive spirit we strive to see in our players.”
See below for details on each of Friday’s signees and individual comments from coach Townsend.
Claire Blount - LHP - Pembroke Pines Charter
Blount comes to UAB from Pembroke Pines Charter in Pembroke Pines, Fla. She is a three-time All County and All-State selection, earning First Team All-State honors in 2014 and 2015.
A two-time Gatorade Player of the Year nominee, Blount led the Lady Jaguars to the 2014 Florida 6A State Championships. The left-handed pitcher dealt a shutout and closed the 2014 season with a 0.48 ERA.
Blount is also a member of the West Pines Diamond Duster.
The pitcher is the daughter of John and Grainne Blount, and has two sisters, Bridget and Erin. Her anticipated major is business.
“Claire is a left-handed pitcher that caught our eye from the beginning,” said Townsend. “She will definitely compliment our pitching staff.”
Ashton Clem - INF - Moody HS
Clem comes to UAB from Moody High School in Moody, Ala. She has been a member of the Blue Devils’ varsity softball team since 2012.
The shortstop led the Blue Devils to the 2014 5A State Championship game as Moody finished runner-ups. During the 2015 season, Clem was named Moody’s Defensive Player of the Year, earning All-County and All-State Second Team honors.
Clem also earned All-Tournament team honors during the 2013 Baker Bumblebee Invitational.
She is also a member of the Alabama Twisters Walz travel ball squad. With the Twisters, Clem finished third place in the 2014 Colorado Explosion Tournament and 2015 18u “A” Class State Tournament.
The shortstop is also a high active in the classroom with memberships in the National Beta Club, Sigma Delta Phi, National the English Honor Society, the Key Club and Relay for Life.
Clem is the daughter of Danny and Melissa Clem. She has two sisters, Courtney and Brittney, and two brothers, Austin and Dayton.
“Ashton has been around the program for years, having honed her skills through our camps year after year,” said Townsend. “She has an outstanding worth ethic and is a versatile player.”
Molli Garcia - C - Wallace State - Hanceville
Garcia transfers to UAB after playing last season at Wallace State-Hanceville.
As a Lion, Garcia appeared in 66 games while batting at a .296 average. The catcher totaled 53 hits with 17 going for extra bases (seven doubles, seven home runs, three triples).
Garcia scored 46 runs for Wallace State while driving home 29 RBIs. Garcia posted a .351 on-base percentage and slugged at a .486 average as a freshman.
Garcia played high school softball at Canyon Springs in Moreno Valley, Calif., where she earned All-League First Team honors her freshman and senior seasons. She added All-League Second Team selections her sophomore and junior years.
The catcher picked up Best Defensive Player honors her junior and senior seasons.
Garcia is also a member of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 18u travel ball squad. She is the daughter of Anthony Garcia. Her intended major is criminal justice.
“We played against Molli this fall,” said Townsend. “She really grabbed our attention when she threw out one of our fastest base runner. We believe she will be a great leader behind the plate for our team.”
For more information on the UAB softball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UABSoftball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB softball program and head coach Marla Townsend announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Friday.
Claire Blount, Ashton Clem and Molli Garcia inked their NLIs and joined the 2015-16 UAB signing class.
Blount and Clem are high school seniors that have combined for four all-state selections. Clem hails from Alabama while Blount is a Florida native.
Garcia is a transfer from Wallace State-Hanceville, having played high school softball at Canyon Springs. Garcia has been a staple behind the plate for Wallace State.
“We have expectations that these outstanding ladies will be able to contribute immediately,” said Townsend. “We are excited about them, their pride for UAB and the closeness they already have with the program. This signing class has proven to be relentless on the field and bring a competitive spirit we strive to see in our players.”
See below for details on each of Friday’s signees and individual comments from coach Townsend.
Claire Blount - LHP - Pembroke Pines Charter
Blount comes to UAB from Pembroke Pines Charter in Pembroke Pines, Fla. She is a three-time All County and All-State selection, earning First Team All-State honors in 2014 and 2015.
A two-time Gatorade Player of the Year nominee, Blount led the Lady Jaguars to the 2014 Florida 6A State Championships. The left-handed pitcher dealt a shutout and closed the 2014 season with a 0.48 ERA.
Blount is also a member of the West Pines Diamond Duster.
The pitcher is the daughter of John and Grainne Blount, and has two sisters, Bridget and Erin. Her anticipated major is business.
“Claire is a left-handed pitcher that caught our eye from the beginning,” said Townsend. “She will definitely compliment our pitching staff.”
Ashton Clem - INF - Moody HS
Clem comes to UAB from Moody High School in Moody, Ala. She has been a member of the Blue Devils’ varsity softball team since 2012.
The shortstop led the Blue Devils to the 2014 5A State Championship game as Moody finished runner-ups. During the 2015 season, Clem was named Moody’s Defensive Player of the Year, earning All-County and All-State Second Team honors.
Clem also earned All-Tournament team honors during the 2013 Baker Bumblebee Invitational.
She is also a member of the Alabama Twisters Walz travel ball squad. With the Twisters, Clem finished third place in the 2014 Colorado Explosion Tournament and 2015 18u “A” Class State Tournament.
The shortstop is also a high active in the classroom with memberships in the National Beta Club, Sigma Delta Phi, National the English Honor Society, the Key Club and Relay for Life.
Clem is the daughter of Danny and Melissa Clem. She has two sisters, Courtney and Brittney, and two brothers, Austin and Dayton.
“Ashton has been around the program for years, having honed her skills through our camps year after year,” said Townsend. “She has an outstanding worth ethic and is a versatile player.”
Molli Garcia - C - Wallace State - Hanceville
Garcia transfers to UAB after playing last season at Wallace State-Hanceville.
As a Lion, Garcia appeared in 66 games while batting at a .296 average. The catcher totaled 53 hits with 17 going for extra bases (seven doubles, seven home runs, three triples).
Garcia scored 46 runs for Wallace State while driving home 29 RBIs. Garcia posted a .351 on-base percentage and slugged at a .486 average as a freshman.
Garcia played high school softball at Canyon Springs in Moreno Valley, Calif., where she earned All-League First Team honors her freshman and senior seasons. She added All-League Second Team selections her sophomore and junior years.
The catcher picked up Best Defensive Player honors her junior and senior seasons.
Garcia is also a member of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 18u travel ball squad. She is the daughter of Anthony Garcia. Her intended major is criminal justice.
“We played against Molli this fall,” said Townsend. “She really grabbed our attention when she threw out one of our fastest base runner. We believe she will be a great leader behind the plate for our team.”
For more information on the UAB softball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UABSoftball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
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