The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
England, Erwin Sign with UAB Softball
11/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB softball program and head coach Marla Townsend announced the signing of two student-athletes to National Letters on Intent on Wednesday.
Natalie Erwin and Destini England inked their NLIs to join the 2015-16 UAB signing class. The Green and Gold have now signed six future Blazers to the program.
Both incoming freshmen bring an impressive list of high school accolades both on and off the field to the Blazers’ already loaded signing class.
See below for details on Wednesday’s signees as well as comments from coach Townsend.
Destini England | Infielder | Spain Park High School
England comes to UAB from Spain Park High School where she played under head coach C. J. Hawkins. Last season, Spain Park was ranked No. 25 in the nation via Max Prep High School.
During the 2015 season, England batted at a .455 average with 60 hits and 40 RBIs in 51 games. England also led the team in triples with six. The infielder helped lead Spain Park to the 8A Regionals and Area 8 Championships with a 35-21 overall record and a 6-0 record in area play.
This past season, England was named to the 7A Area 8 All-Tournament Team, the All-Over the Mountain Team, the Birmingham News First-Team All-Metro
England was tabbed Spain Park’s Most Improved All-Around Player of the Year.
Throughout her time at Spain Park, England has received various individual honors including Spain Park’s Most Stolen Bases award and the Most Improved Offensive Player of the Year title in 2014. That season, Spain Park finished fifth at the 6A State Championships with a 49-17 record.
England played at St. Clair County High School during the 2012-13 seasons where she started on the varsity squad since 8th grade. England earned All-Area and All-St. Clair County honors in 2013 after winning the Area Championship. She was also named to the All-Area Tournament Team in 2012.
The infielder is also a member of the Vipers Park travel ball program where England has been a member of multiple championships squads.
With the Vipers, England has won
England was also a member of the 2011 12U ASA Nationals squad, the 2013 Scenic City 16s Super Pool Championship and the 2014 ASA 16U State team, finishing third at the tournament.
She participated in the 2012 Hall of Fame Tournament and finished in the top 10 at the 2012 PGF Nationals. In 2013, England was a member of the PGF Nationals’ Top-20 Batting Average list.
England is the daughter of Eric and Gayle England. She has a younger brother, Kaleb. Her anticipated major is pre-dentistry.
“We are very fortunate to have
Natalie Erwin | Shortstop | Ridgeland High School
Erwin comes to UAB from Ridgeland High School where she is a six-year varsity shortstop for head coach Gerald Ray’s softball team.
The shortstop is a two-time 5A Fast-Pitch All-State team honoree and is
Erwin is highly active at Ridgeland High School where she is also a member of the basketball squad, earning 2015 All-District honors. Erwin is also a Student Government Association Representative and a member of the Ridgeland High School All-Superior Marching Band.
Success in the classroom is no stranger to Erwin who is ranked in the top 10 percent of her graduation class with a 3.93 GPA. Her fellow classmates also voted Erwin the Most Athletic Female.
Erwin is also a member of the Germantown Red Devils 18u travel ball squad and has also played with Louisiana Patriots travel ball organization.
The shortstop is the daughter of David and Monica Erwin and has one younger sister, Nichole. Her anticipated major is biomedical sciences.
“Natalie comes to us with an outstanding work ethic and is one of our most versatile players,” said Townsend. “We are very excited about the immediate impact she will have on our program. She loves to compete, and it shows.”
For more information on the UAB softball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UABSoftball). For more on all
