The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Softball Releases 2016 Schedule
11/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
2016 Schedule: HTML | PDF
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -Seventeen home contests and a non-conference slate featuring 11 opponents either ranked or receiving votes in the final NFCA Coaches poll highlights UAB's 2016 softball schedule, it was released Tuesday by head coach Marla Townsend.
The Blazers' first five games of the season will be played on the road before returning to the friendly confines of the UAB Softball Field. The 2016 season opener will pit the Green and Gold against in-state rival South Alabama.
Fifteen of UAB's 2016 opponents reached NCAA Regionals a season ago, with eight making it to the NCAA Super Regionals. Florida, Tennessee, Auburn and Alabama all made the Women's College World Series last year with the Gators winning the title. The Tigers and Crimson Tide are scheduled to make appearances at the UAB Softball Field.
"My philosophy has always been to play one of the toughest schedules in the country," said head coach Marla Townsend. "That is what we are doing this season, and we take pride in playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation. I love that we are challenging our athletes starting in February. We are going to compete. We have an opportunity early on to see what we are made of. That hopefully takes us through the postseason and has us playing later than we ever have in school history."
UAB is coming off a strong 2015 season that saw the Blazers record 30 or more wins for the sixth consecutive season. The Blazers will look to continue their success from a season ago beginning with South Alabama (Feb. 11).
The Green and Gold begin tournament play at the NCAA Sand Dollar Classic (Feb. 12-14) in Gulf Shores, Ala., featuring the Blazers, Louisiana-Lafayette, Belmont, Central Arkansas and Ball State. The Ragin' Cajuns are coming off a regular season Sun Belt championship as well as making their fourth straight appearance in a Super Regional.
The Blazers open their home schedule against Alabama on Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. before heading to Orlando, Fla., for the Citrus Classic (Feb. 19-21). The tournament will see the Blazers face off against College of Charleston, Stetson, Missouri, Georgia and reigning national champions Florida.
UAB continues tournament play in Tallahassee, Fla., for the Florida State Tournament (Feb. 26-27). The Blazers will square off against Bradley, Hofstra and the host Seminoles.
The Blazers welcomes reigning SEC Tournament champion Auburn to the UAB Softball Field on March 1 before battling another in-state rival at Samford on March 2. Both games are slated for a 6 p.m. start.
Tournament play ends on March 4-6 as UAB travels to Knoxville, Tenn., to compete in the UT Tournament. The Blazers will face St. John's, Tennessee and Wisconsin-Green Bay over the weekend.
Troy travels to Birmingham on March 8 for a 6 p.m. showdown before UAB travels to Jacksonville State (March 16) to face its sixth in-state opponent.
The Conference USA slate begins on March 19-20 when the Blazers travel to Southern Miss for a three-game series. The C-USA home opener follows when UAB welcomes Charlotte to the park on March 25 and 26.
UAB takes a break from conference action on March 30 for a midweek battle with Mississippi State. The Blazers jump right back into the conference slate hosting Marshall on April 2 and 3.
The Blazers continue their home stand on April 5 when Jacksonville State rolls into town for a 6 p.m. contest. UAB begins a five-game road trip on April 6 with a doubleheader at Lipscomb before traveling to Louisiana Tech (April 9-10) for a conference series.
The Blazers face tough conference competition in the heart of April as UAB welcomes FIU to Birmingham on April 16 and 17 before heading west to take on UTEP on April 23 and 24.
The Blazers close the home non-conference schedule hosting Chattanooga on April 26 for a 4 p.m. first pitch. The Mocs are coming off a 2015 NCAA Regional appearance. UAB's final non-conference match will be at Ole Miss, the eighth SEC opponent on the schedule, on April 27.
The final home series of the season is scheduled for April 30 and May 1 first when the Blazers host UTSA. UAB closes the 2016 regular season at North Texas on May 7-8.
The 2016 C-USA Tournament is scheduled for May 12-14 and will be hosted by the Mean Green in Denton, Texas. NCAA Regionals are scheduled for May 20-22 with the Super Regionals scheduled for May 26-29. Finally, the 2016 edition of the Women's College World Series is set for June 2-8 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
UAB opens the regular season on Feb. 11 at South Alabama. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
For more information on the UAB softball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UABSoftball). For more on all
