The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Looking Back at the 2016 UAB Softball Season
6/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
June 10, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After playing the second-toughest, nonconference schedule in the country, the UAB softball team bounced back in league play to close 2016 with second place Conference USA regular season and tournament finishes, thebest combined finish in program history.
UAB closed the regular season with a 27-32 overall record, but shone in conference play, opening the C-USA season with three straight series victories en route to a 14-10 record. In the second year of C-USA’s two-division format, the Blazers took home the Western Division title.
Picking up two crucial contests against Southern Miss during the 2016 Conference USA Championships in Denton, Texas, UAB made its first championship game appearances since the 2002 season and took home the second-place prize.
"Through the highs and lows of the season, this team never gave up," head coach Marla Townsend said. "We were truly relentless all season long, and I am extremely proud of our finish for our senior class. They are an elite group. This season is only a motivator for the offseason. We want to be back in the championship game next season. Team 17 contributed to the community on and off the field all year, and I am proud of how they represented UAB."
The season began with a milestone moment for the program as UAB dedicated its home facility as Mary Bower Field on March 1 in grateful recognition of gifts given by Keith A. Bowers and the late Mary Bowers in support of the program.
Playing the nation’s second-ranked nonconference schedule, UAB closed the season with a No. 65 ranking in the RPI, the second-best mark in the conference.
UAB’s top wins the season included a 3-2 upset road victory over (RV) Mississippi State on March 29. The Blazers also set program history on April 5 as UAB knocked off Jacksonville State at Bowers Field, 6-3, to earn the program and Townsend’s 500th victory.
The Blazers closed the season playing 17 contests against teams that were either ranked or receiving votes nationally. UAB faced 12 teams that earned berths to the 2016 NCAA Tournament, while playing four of the eight Women’s College World Series squads (Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Alabama).
As a team, UAB ended the season with the program’s second-best, single-season fielding percentage. The Blazers’ .971 fielding percentage ranked 23rd in the nation. Rounding out UAB’s defensive play, the Blazers turned 22 double plays, the second most in program history.
UAB posted top 10 program numbers as the team recorded a .268 average batting average, .387 sluggingpercentage and .337 on-base percentage. Hosting UAB to the .337 on-base clip, the Blazers only struck out 209 times this season, the second-fewest in school history.
Among the individual highlights of the 2016 season was the play of shortstop Caitlin Attfield as she closed her record-breaking senior season as one of the most decorated Blazers in school history. The Niagara Falls, New York, native made school history as she became the first Blazer ever to be professionally drafted after being selected ninth overall by the Dallas Charge at the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch Draft.
As she closed her senior campaign, Attfield headlines UAB's record book as the all-time career leader in batting average (.402), at-bats (762), runs scored (157), hits (306), total bases (387) and assists (463). The shortstop also ranks in the top five in career on-base percentage, games played, games started, doubles,triples and stolen bases.
Attfield finished the season with a .356 batting average, ending her career with four of the top eight single-season marks. The shortstop’s 69 hits, 41 runs scored and 104 assists in 2016 ranked in the program’s top 10 single-season marks.
The shortstop closed the season earning All-American honors, selected as a Senior CLASS AwardFirst Team All-America honoree. Attfield also racked up C-USA All-Conference First Team and All-Tournament Team honors as well as earning NFCA Mideast All-Region First Team selection to close out her career.
Juniors JoJo Fallen and Mary Warren boasted breakout season for UAB as both Blazers joined Attfield as NFCA Mideast All-Region honorees with third team selections.
Fallen ranked second on the squad in five offensive categories, while leading the team with 14 doubles, the fifth-most in a single season, helping to lead the Blazers to the second-most doubles in program history with 73.
The Prattville , Alabama, native closed the season with a .352 batting average, ninth-highest in a single season. Fallen earned her first Conference USA Player of the Week honors this season and was named to the Conference USA All-Academic and All-Tournament teams.
Warren slugged through league opponents to notch a .566 slugging clip, eighth-highest in a single season. The designated player recorded a team-best 22-game reached base streak over the regular season and was UAB's clutch run producer with 11 home runs, sixth-most in a single season, and 36 RBIs, 10th-best in a single season.
The Ocoee, Florida, native earned two Conference Player of the Week honors this year and closed the regular season with her first All-Conference honors as she earned a spot on the first team.
Senior Ashley Johnson rounded out UAB’s regular season accolades, tabbed to the All-Conference USA Second Team. Johnson started all 59 games behind the dish for UAB, batting .247 with 11 doubles, four homeruns and 29 RBIs. The catcher threw out 18 base stealers this season, second-most in the conference.
Junior Cara Goodwin capped off UAB's honorees with a selection to the C-USA All-Tournament team. The pitcher started all four of the Blazers' tournament contests, tossing two complete games with one shutout. The Cullman, Alabama, native dealt 17.2 innings with a 2.38 ERA, striking out eight batters.
Warren is UAB’s lone all-conference selection set to return for the 2017 season, highlighting 19 returners from the 2016 squad that includes seven rising seniors. All four members of UAB’s pitching staff are also set to return.
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).
2016 Season Notes Package
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After playing the second-toughest, nonconference schedule in the country, the UAB softball team bounced back in league play to close 2016 with second place Conference USA regular season and tournament finishes, the
UAB closed the regular season with a 27-32 overall record, but shone in conference play, opening the C-USA season with three straight series victories en route to a 14-10 record. In the second year of C-USA’s two-division format, the Blazers took home the Western Division title.
Picking up two crucial contests against Southern Miss during the 2016 Conference USA Championships in Denton, Texas, UAB made its first championship game appearances since the 2002 season and took home the second-place prize.
"Through the highs and lows of the season, this team never gave up," head coach Marla Townsend said. "We were truly relentless all season long, and I am extremely proud of our finish for our senior class. They are an elite group. This season is only a motivator for the offseason. We want to be back in the championship game next season. Team 17 contributed to the community on and off the field all year, and I am proud of how they represented UAB."
The season began with a milestone moment for the program as UAB dedicated its home facility as Mary Bower Field on March 1 in grateful recognition of gifts given by Keith A. Bowers and the late Mary Bowers in support of the program.
Playing the nation’s second-ranked nonconference schedule, UAB closed the season with a No. 65 ranking in the RPI, the second-best mark in the conference.
UAB’s top wins the season included a 3-2 upset road victory over (RV) Mississippi State on March 29. The Blazers also set program history on April 5 as UAB knocked off Jacksonville State at Bowers Field, 6-3, to earn the program and Townsend’s 500th victory.
The Blazers closed the season playing 17 contests against teams that were either ranked or receiving votes nationally. UAB faced 12 teams that earned berths to the 2016 NCAA Tournament, while playing four of the eight Women’s College World Series squads (Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Alabama).
As a team, UAB ended the season with the program’s second-best, single-season fielding percentage. The Blazers’ .971 fielding percentage ranked 23rd in the nation. Rounding out UAB’s defensive play, the Blazers turned 22 double plays, the second most in program history.
UAB posted top 10 program numbers as the team recorded a .268 average batting average, .387 slugging
Among the individual highlights of the 2016 season was the play of shortstop Caitlin Attfield as she closed her record-breaking senior season as one of the most decorated Blazers in school history. The Niagara Falls, New York, native made school history as she became the first Blazer ever to be professionally drafted after being selected ninth overall by the Dallas Charge at the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch Draft.
As she closed her senior campaign, Attfield headlines UAB's record book as the all-time career leader in batting average (.402), at-bats (762), runs scored (157), hits (306), total bases (387) and assists (463). The shortstop also ranks in the top five in career on-base percentage, games played, games started, doubles,
Attfield finished the season with a .356 batting average, ending her career with four of the top eight single-season marks. The shortstop’s 69 hits, 41 runs scored and 104 assists in 2016 ranked in the program’s top 10 single-season marks.
The shortstop closed the season earning All-American honors, selected as a Senior CLASS Award
Juniors JoJo Fallen and Mary Warren boasted breakout season for UAB as both Blazers joined Attfield as NFCA Mideast All-Region honorees with third team selections.
Fallen ranked second on the squad in five offensive categories, while leading the team with 14 doubles, the fifth-most in a single season, helping to lead the Blazers to the second-most doubles in program history with 73.
The Prattville , Alabama, native closed the season with a .352 batting average, ninth-highest in a single season. Fallen earned her first Conference USA Player of the Week honors this season and was named to the Conference USA All-Academic and All-Tournament teams.
Warren slugged through league opponents to notch a .566 slugging clip, eighth-highest in a single season. The designated player recorded a team-best 22-game reached base streak over the regular season and was UAB's clutch run producer with 11 home runs, sixth-most in a single season, and 36 RBIs, 10th-best in a single season.
The Ocoee, Florida, native earned two Conference Player of the Week honors this year and closed the regular season with her first All-Conference honors as she earned a spot on the first team.
Senior Ashley Johnson rounded out UAB’s regular season accolades, tabbed to the All-Conference USA Second Team. Johnson started all 59 games behind the dish for UAB, batting .247 with 11 doubles, four home
Junior Cara Goodwin capped off UAB's honorees with a selection to the C-USA All-Tournament team. The pitcher started all four of the Blazers' tournament contests, tossing two complete games with one shutout. The Cullman, Alabama, native dealt 17.2 innings with a 2.38 ERA, striking out eight batters.
Warren is UAB’s lone all-conference selection set to return for the 2017 season, highlighting 19 returners from the 2016 squad that includes seven rising seniors. All four members of UAB’s pitching staff are also set to return.
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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