The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Three Blazers Earn All-Conference Honors
5/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Three UAB softball players earned All-Conference USA honors following the completion of the regular season, the league office announced Tuesday.
Junior Molli Garcia was recognized to the All-Conference USA Second Team at the catcher position. She stepped up to the plate in a big way this season after the Blazers lost Ashley Johnson to graduation.
The Moreno Valley, Calif., native has appeared in 52 games and started 50 this season. She owns a .234 batting average, has recorded 33 hits, is tied for a team-high seven doubles, tallied 10 RBI and sent two home run balls out of the park.
Garcia is not only a threat at the plate but behind it as well. The catcher has caught 16 runners stealing and picked off four from behind the dish. She is responsible for 267 putouts, 48 assists and boasts a .963 fielding percentage.
"From the moment we faced Molli in the fall of 2015 (played at Wallace State-Hanceville), I knew she was a talented young lady," head coach Marla Townsend said. "She arrived on campus ready to make a difference and her teammates took notice. While her performance on the field is recognized with this outstanding honor, her dedication off the field is what has made her so successful."
Two freshman Blazers earned C-USA All Freshman Team honors: left-handed pitcher Claire Blount and right fielder Destini England.
From the start of the season, Blount has been a force to be reckoned with in the circle. She took the reins and became an instant leader for UAB despite being a freshman.
The Pembroke Pines, Fla., native leads the Blazers' pitching staff in almost every category. She boasts a staff-high 2.82 ERA and 9-10 record as well as making 32 appearances and 18 starts.
Blount has tossed 11 complete games, three shutouts, picked up one save and recorded 121 strikeouts in 153.2 innings of work.
"We knew Claire was an outstanding pitcher with a great work ethic but what we learned about Claire when she arrived on campus is her desire to be the best," Townsend said. "She wants the ball in every situation and her knowledge of softball is outstanding and can expose a hitter's weakness quickly. She is a leader on the field and in the bullpen and her relentless work ethic and competitiveness has earned her this honor."
Destini England has made a statement in a big way at the leadoff position for the Blazers, leading the team in multiple categories.
The freshman right fielder owns a team-high .277 batting average, 48 hits and has crossed the plate 25 times. She has a team and conference-high seven triples that also ranks her fifth in the nation.
The Hoover, Ala., native is efficient on the base path as well, being tied for first on the squad with nine stolen bases.
"I've had the pleasure of watching Destini for many years and we were lucky to add her to our outstanding freshmen class," Townsend said. "She is a true game changer and the improvement that she has made is remarkable. There is no limit as to how good she will be and I can't wait to watch her grow."
UAB is set to participate in the C-USA Softball Championship May 10-13. The Blazers will face WKU Wednesday at noon in the first game of the tournament.
For more information on UAB Athletics, visit UABsports.com. Fans can follow @UAB_SB on Twitter and Instagram for updates.
2017 Conference USA Softball Specialty Awards
Pitcher of the Year: Jordan Dixon, Marshall
Player of the Year: Morgan Zerkle, Marshall
Freshman of the Year: Shannon Saile, FIU
Newcomer of the Year: Krystal De La Cruz, Louisiana Tech
Coach of the Year: Shonda Stanton, Marshall
First-Team All-Conference USA
C - Taylor McCord, Marshall
C - Morgan Harris, Middle Tennessee
IF - Haley Pace, Charlotte
IF - Stephanie Texeira, FIU
IF - Emily Lochten, Florida Atlantic
IF - Morgan Zerkle, Marshall
IF - Kelli Schkade, North Texas
OF - Jackie Schoff, FIU
OF - Morgan Turkoly, Louisiana Tech
OF - Precious Birdsong, Middle Tennessee
OF - Lindsey Stewart, UTSA
DP/Utility - Ali Galaz, Louisiana Tech
P - Shannon Saile, FIU
P - Krystal De La Cruz, Louisiana Tech
P - Jordan Dixon, Marshall
Second-Team All-Conference USA
C - Marilyn Rizzato, Louisiana Tech
C - Molli Garcia, UAB
IF - Ashley Leon, FIU
IF - Elicia D'Orazio, Marshall
IF - Lauren Holifield, Southern Miss
IF - Taylor Sargent, UTEP
IF - Cortney Smith, UTEP
OF - Delaney Rickey, Florida Atlantic
OF - Jazlyn Crowder, Louisiana Tech
OF - Eloise Tribolet, Marshall
OF - Samantha Reynolds, Southern Miss
OF - Bailee Baldwin, UTSA
OF - Celeste Loughman, UTSA
DP/Utility - Kaitlin Ryder, UTEP
DP/Utility - Jordan Mauch, WKU
P - Haley Wiseman, Charlotte
P - Amanda Wilson, Florida Atlantic
P - Preslee Gallaway, Louisiana Tech
Conference USA All-Freshman Team
Shannon Saile, FIU
Marilyn Rizzato, Louisiana Tech
Elizabeth DeShields, Marshall
Summer Burgess, Middle Tennessee
Lacy Gregory, North Texas
Lindsay Gregory, North Texas
Claire Blount, UAB
Destini England, UAB
Celeste Loughman, UTSA
Lindsey Stewart, UTSA
Kelsey Aikey, WKU
