UAB Softball to Open 2021 Season at Trojan Classic

Friday, February 12

Troy, AL

10 a.m.

UAB

Ole Miss

UAB Softball to Open 2021 Season at Trojan Classic

2/11/2021 3:38:00 PM | Softball

UAB Game Notes

BIRMINGHAM – Under the direction of first year head coach Joe Guthrie, the UAB softball team opens the 2021 season this weekend, February 12-14, at the Trojan Classic hosted by Troy University.

UAB is set to open the tournament on Friday at 9 a.m. against Ole Miss. Chattanooga was a late scratch from the tournament, so UAB will play Troy on Friday at 2 p.m. and the rest of the weekend schedule is still to be determined. With rain in the forecast, all dates and times are subject to change. The Blazers will also face Belmont this weekend.

GUTHRIE AT THE HELM:

This is Guthrie's first year as UAB's skipper, and his third overall with the program. He was named UAB head coach on July 9, 2020, becoming the fourth coach in program history.

Originally hired as an assistant for the Blazers in July of 2018, Guthrie was promoted to Associate Head Coach in January of 2020.

VETERAN GROUP:

Expectations are high for the Blazers after a very promising start to the 2020 season was cut short due to COVID-19. UAB played to an overall record of 15-11 last year, all of which were non-conference games. UAB was in El Paso ready to face UTEP for their C-USA opener when COVID-19 ended the season.

TOP RETURNERS:

Offensively, the Blazers are led by sophomore Sierra Frazier who drove in a team-high 24 runs a season ago. Frazier, named to the All-Conference USA Second Team as a freshman, started all 26 games behind the plate for UAB in 2020, and was batting .329, slugging .610 and had four home runs.

UAB returns four of its top five leaders in batting average from a year ago. Along with Frazier, junior Jenna Olszewski (.282), junior KK Crocker (.275) and senior Analyse Petree (.253) all return for the Green and Gold in 2021. Olszewski led the team in steals (6), while Crocker shared a team-high in walks with Frazier at 11 and Petree in home runs with Frazier (4).

On the mound, the Blazers return all four pitchers who played last year, and have added Oklahoma transfer Parker Conrad to the mix who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.

Amy Woodham led UAB in the circle, posting a team-best 1.91 ERA in 62.1 innings of work. The junior from Slocomb, Ala., recorded 40 strikeouts while walking only 15 batters and holding opponents to a .237 batting average.

The pitching unit held opponents to a combined .278 batting average. Emily Kachel missed the beginning of the season, but returned down the stretch to pitch to an overall record of 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA.

Sarah Cespedes led all UAB pitchers with 51 strikeouts, while true freshman Jaycee Cook was very impressive in her debut season by posting a team-best 5-1 record in 42 innings pitched.

NEWCOMERS:

The Blazers welcome nine newcomers on the roster, seven freshmen and two transfers. In the off-season, Guthrie and his staff added Jolie Readeaux, a junior infielder from Louisiana, and Taylor Watford, a sophomore utility from Ole Miss.

Freshmen new to the roster this season include infielder/catcher Brooke Burback, infielder Brooke Davis, outfielder Lilly Crowe, pitcher/infielder Olivia Valbak, pitcher Sophie Golliver, pitcher Arden Plugge and outfielder Makalah Mitchell.

SCOUTING THE FIELD:

The Blazers faced Ole Miss twice last year, including a marathon 14-11 loss in 13 innings at Mary Bowers Field. Ole Miss made the 2019 NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Super Regional.

TROJAN CLASSIC:

Troy is allowing fans at a 50 percent capacity. Live stats throughout the weekend can be found by clicking here, while updates are also available by following @UAB_SB on Twitter and Instagram.