The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Ink Second SEC Transfer of 2019 Class in Macey Petrey
4/24/2019 3:25:00 PM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM - The UAB softball team and head coach Jimmy Kolaitis announced the official signing of Mississippi State transfer Macey Petrey to the program on Wednesday.
The signing, along with Auburn transfer KK Crocker, marks two incoming SEC transfers in a class for the second straight season for the Blazers after Kolaitis nabbed Jenna Olszewski, also formerly of Auburn, and Dylinn Stancil, previously of Ole Miss, last season. Olszewski has gone on to start every game this season and lead the team in triples with four and total bases with 64, while Stancil has started and played in all but one game on the year and posted a team-leading 24 RBI. As each of the aforementioned players will have one or more years of eligibility remaining following this season, the addition of Petrey will bump the UAB roster to four active players from the SEC next year.
"We are excited to add Macey to our softball family," said Kolaitis. "She is an Alabama kid that will add some athleticism to our club. Macey is a utility kid that has the ability to play in the outfield or infield. Offensively, she will provide some firepower to our lineup. She is a hard-nosed kid that has the opportunity to make an immediate impact to our program."
Petrey, a native of Demopolis, Ala., will join UAB as a junior next season with three years of immediate eligibility remaining after refraining from competing in the 2019 season. Being a Mississippi State transfer, the incoming junior comes to the Magic City with playing experience at the highest level of collegiate softball along with postseason experience as the Bulldogs reached the finals of the NCAA Regional at Arizona last season.
During her time in Starkville, Miss., Petrey served mostly as a utility player and came off the bench as a pinch hitter. As a freshman, she appeared in 20 total games with four starts on the season, two at third base and two in the outfield. In her spare opportunities at the plate, the Demopolis, Ala., native picked up a pair of hits, her first being a solo blast out of left, three total RBI and four runs scored. Petrey further displayed her knack for making plays at opportune times by recording her first RBI in her collegiate debut in walk off fashion as the Bulldogs won by run rule. The future Blazer's first start was also her SEC debut as three of her four starts came in SEC play. In the field, Petrey recorded five putouts on the season. The former Bulldog also showed success in the classroom, being named a member of the 2018 SEC First Year Honor Roll.
Prior to Mississippi State, Petrey was a highly touted shortstop at Marengo Academy in Linden, Ala., a short drive from her hometown. There, she led the Broncos to back-to-back AISA Region Championships and runner-up finishes in the AISA State Tournament during her freshman and sophomore seasons. As a freshman, Petrey also led the county in home runs as she earned AISA All-District and West Alabama Watchmen All-County honors in back-to-back seasons. As a sophomore and junior, Petrey was named Marengo's Team Offensive MVP. In her junior season alone, the future Blazer earned Team Overall MVP honors, was selected to the AISA Junior All-Star Team, was given AISA All-District and WAW All-County recognition and posted a .576 batting average to be awarded ASWA All-State honors. Petrey served as her team's captain throughout her senior season as well. Along with high school ball, the incoming junior played for the Birmingham Thunderbolts, leading them to the 2016 Legacy Showcase 18U Championship. Also with the Thunderbolts, she won the 2016 PGF National Qualifier to cement a premier birth in the PGF Nationals. Outside of softball altogether, Petrey played on the Marengo Academy basketball team for a pair of seasons.
The next competition for the Blazers will be their final home series, a conference series against North Texas on April 27 and April 28 at Mary Bowers Field. The Blazers and the Mean Green will play in a doubleheader at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, then wrap up the series at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.
General admission tickets for home games 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 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).
The signing, along with Auburn transfer KK Crocker, marks two incoming SEC transfers in a class for the second straight season for the Blazers after Kolaitis nabbed Jenna Olszewski, also formerly of Auburn, and Dylinn Stancil, previously of Ole Miss, last season. Olszewski has gone on to start every game this season and lead the team in triples with four and total bases with 64, while Stancil has started and played in all but one game on the year and posted a team-leading 24 RBI. As each of the aforementioned players will have one or more years of eligibility remaining following this season, the addition of Petrey will bump the UAB roster to four active players from the SEC next year.
"We are excited to add Macey to our softball family," said Kolaitis. "She is an Alabama kid that will add some athleticism to our club. Macey is a utility kid that has the ability to play in the outfield or infield. Offensively, she will provide some firepower to our lineup. She is a hard-nosed kid that has the opportunity to make an immediate impact to our program."
Petrey, a native of Demopolis, Ala., will join UAB as a junior next season with three years of immediate eligibility remaining after refraining from competing in the 2019 season. Being a Mississippi State transfer, the incoming junior comes to the Magic City with playing experience at the highest level of collegiate softball along with postseason experience as the Bulldogs reached the finals of the NCAA Regional at Arizona last season.
During her time in Starkville, Miss., Petrey served mostly as a utility player and came off the bench as a pinch hitter. As a freshman, she appeared in 20 total games with four starts on the season, two at third base and two in the outfield. In her spare opportunities at the plate, the Demopolis, Ala., native picked up a pair of hits, her first being a solo blast out of left, three total RBI and four runs scored. Petrey further displayed her knack for making plays at opportune times by recording her first RBI in her collegiate debut in walk off fashion as the Bulldogs won by run rule. The future Blazer's first start was also her SEC debut as three of her four starts came in SEC play. In the field, Petrey recorded five putouts on the season. The former Bulldog also showed success in the classroom, being named a member of the 2018 SEC First Year Honor Roll.
Prior to Mississippi State, Petrey was a highly touted shortstop at Marengo Academy in Linden, Ala., a short drive from her hometown. There, she led the Broncos to back-to-back AISA Region Championships and runner-up finishes in the AISA State Tournament during her freshman and sophomore seasons. As a freshman, Petrey also led the county in home runs as she earned AISA All-District and West Alabama Watchmen All-County honors in back-to-back seasons. As a sophomore and junior, Petrey was named Marengo's Team Offensive MVP. In her junior season alone, the future Blazer earned Team Overall MVP honors, was selected to the AISA Junior All-Star Team, was given AISA All-District and WAW All-County recognition and posted a .576 batting average to be awarded ASWA All-State honors. Petrey served as her team's captain throughout her senior season as well. Along with high school ball, the incoming junior played for the Birmingham Thunderbolts, leading them to the 2016 Legacy Showcase 18U Championship. Also with the Thunderbolts, she won the 2016 PGF National Qualifier to cement a premier birth in the PGF Nationals. Outside of softball altogether, Petrey played on the Marengo Academy basketball team for a pair of seasons.
The next competition for the Blazers will be their final home series, a conference series against North Texas on April 27 and April 28 at Mary Bowers Field. The Blazers and the Mean Green will play in a doubleheader at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, then wrap up the series at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.
General admission tickets for home games 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 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
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