The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

UAB Set for First Home Conference Series Against Louisiana Tech
3/14/2019 5:25:00 PM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM - The UAB softball team will be staying at home this weekend as it hosts Louisiana Tech in its first conference series at Mary Bowers Field this season. The Blazers will battle the Lady Techsters in a doubleheader on Saturday, then a concluding match on Sunday. First pitch on Saturday is slated for 3 p.m. for game one and 5 p.m. for game two. The series finale is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
"We have had a great week of preparation going into this series," said coach Jimmy Kolaitis. "The key for us this weekend is to stay within ourselves and play our game."
UAB (9-15) comes into the series on the heels of a 6-1 win at home over crosstown foe, Samford. The Blazers gave up an early home run, but shut down the Bulldogs beyond that, executing perhaps their most complete game of the season to snap an eight-game losing skid.
Freshman outfielder Faith Hegh has risen to the occasion for the Blazers this season as she currently leads the squad in batting average (.391), hits (25) and doubles (8). The Egg Harbor Township, N.J., native has also posted a .516 slugging percentage, scored 10 runs and driven in seven RBI. Freshman pitcher Sarah Cespedes continues to lead UAB in the circle with a team-best 4.38 ERA to go with 30 strikeouts for a 3-3 record to date.
Louisiana Tech (17-7) will travel to UAB turf with a 2-2 record on the week after competing in the Bulldog Slamboree, hosted by Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., over the weekend and a 3-0 victory over Lamar on Tuesday. In the Bulldog Slamboree, Louisiana Tech came out with a 6-3 win over Mississippi Valley State and pair of narrow losses to Mississippi State, 7-4 and 5-4, respectively.
Senior outfielder Morgan Turkoly leads the Lady Techsters at the plate, compiling 26 hits, five doubles, 11 RBI and a dinger for a .361 batting average and a .472 slugging percentage this season. Meanwhile, senior pitcher Preslee Gallaway has been Louisiana Tech's mainstay in the circle with 12 starts on the year, picking up 53 strikeouts and four saves for a 2.42 ERA and current record of 7-5.
In the all-time series, Louisiana Tech currently holds an 11-6 advantage. Although the Lady Techsters took the last series in Ruston, La., UAB has won two of the last three matchups. The most recent UAB win came on May 11, 2018, when the Blazers edged Louisiana Tech, 4-3, in last year's Conference USA Tournament in Charlotte, N.C.
The next action for UAB will be a weekend series in Boca Raton, Fla., where the Blazers will square off against Florida Atlantic. UAB will take on Florida Atlantic in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 23, then wrap up the series on Sunday, March 24. The series is scheduled to begin with game one at 3 p.m. on Saturday, followed by game two at 5 p.m. First pitch for the series conclusion is set for 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Pertaining to this weekend's action, fans should note that the Birmingham Legion FC will be hosting a game at 7 p.m. on Saturday and plan parking accordingly. If needed, additional parking areas such as the nearby parking deck and the baseball parking lot located on 12th Street South are available.
General admission tickets are on sale for $5 for adults and $3 for youth and chairback seats are available for $10 for adults and $6 for youth. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, online at uabsports.com, or by calling the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
Fans can receive access to every softball, women's basketball and baseball game for the entire 2018-19 season by purchasing a Gold Card. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB softball team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_SB).
"We have had a great week of preparation going into this series," said coach Jimmy Kolaitis. "The key for us this weekend is to stay within ourselves and play our game."
UAB (9-15) comes into the series on the heels of a 6-1 win at home over crosstown foe, Samford. The Blazers gave up an early home run, but shut down the Bulldogs beyond that, executing perhaps their most complete game of the season to snap an eight-game losing skid.
Freshman outfielder Faith Hegh has risen to the occasion for the Blazers this season as she currently leads the squad in batting average (.391), hits (25) and doubles (8). The Egg Harbor Township, N.J., native has also posted a .516 slugging percentage, scored 10 runs and driven in seven RBI. Freshman pitcher Sarah Cespedes continues to lead UAB in the circle with a team-best 4.38 ERA to go with 30 strikeouts for a 3-3 record to date.
Louisiana Tech (17-7) will travel to UAB turf with a 2-2 record on the week after competing in the Bulldog Slamboree, hosted by Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., over the weekend and a 3-0 victory over Lamar on Tuesday. In the Bulldog Slamboree, Louisiana Tech came out with a 6-3 win over Mississippi Valley State and pair of narrow losses to Mississippi State, 7-4 and 5-4, respectively.
Senior outfielder Morgan Turkoly leads the Lady Techsters at the plate, compiling 26 hits, five doubles, 11 RBI and a dinger for a .361 batting average and a .472 slugging percentage this season. Meanwhile, senior pitcher Preslee Gallaway has been Louisiana Tech's mainstay in the circle with 12 starts on the year, picking up 53 strikeouts and four saves for a 2.42 ERA and current record of 7-5.
In the all-time series, Louisiana Tech currently holds an 11-6 advantage. Although the Lady Techsters took the last series in Ruston, La., UAB has won two of the last three matchups. The most recent UAB win came on May 11, 2018, when the Blazers edged Louisiana Tech, 4-3, in last year's Conference USA Tournament in Charlotte, N.C.
The next action for UAB will be a weekend series in Boca Raton, Fla., where the Blazers will square off against Florida Atlantic. UAB will take on Florida Atlantic in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 23, then wrap up the series on Sunday, March 24. The series is scheduled to begin with game one at 3 p.m. on Saturday, followed by game two at 5 p.m. First pitch for the series conclusion is set for 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Pertaining to this weekend's action, fans should note that the Birmingham Legion FC will be hosting a game at 7 p.m. on Saturday and plan parking accordingly. If needed, additional parking areas such as the nearby parking deck and the baseball parking lot located on 12th Street South are available.
General admission tickets are on sale for $5 for adults and $3 for youth and chairback seats are available for $10 for adults and $6 for youth. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, online at uabsports.com, or by calling the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
Fans can receive access to every softball, women's basketball and baseball game for the entire 2018-19 season by purchasing a Gold Card. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB softball team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_SB).
Players Mentioned
Coffee with Coach | 2025 Week 7
Tuesday, October 07
UAB Football Postgame Press Conference | Army
Sunday, October 05
Coffee with Coach | 2025 Week 6
Tuesday, September 30
Coffee with Coach | 2025 Week 8
Monday, September 29