The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
In The Field: Previewing UAB Softball's First and Second Base
1/18/2023 10:59:00 AM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB's 2023 Softball Season is slowly but surely getting closer to its debut at the McNeese State Cowgirl Classic. The Blazers welcome new faces on the coaching staff and welcome familiar and fresh faces on the field.
Head Coach AJ Daugherty, who enters his first season with the Green and Gold, previews the new and returning athletes who align onto the 2023 roster.
THE INFIELD
As the old saying goes: Defense wins games.
Regardless of the sport or position, nearly every sport requires defensive effort; in return, defensive efforts prove favorable for the team who desires to win. In the game of softball, defense is seen through the infield.
"Our sport is fast-paced and in a smaller space," said Daugherty. "Infielders in our sport must be able to critically think, problem-solve, communicate, and execute very quickly and accurately."
AROUND THE BASES
The Blazers welcome five players on the infield for 2023, all in their sophomore campaigns, providing opportunities for growth and development throughout their careers at UAB.
Of those five, three hold the position of first and second base on the diamond, including Ja'nae Wray, Lauren "LuLu" Brock, and Alyssa Aguilar.
JA'NAE WRAY - 1B
Ja'nae is from Douglasville, where she played for the Alexander Cougars. She was a GHSA Region 5-AAAAAA Player of the year and a GACA 6A All-State Team Select in 2021. While at Alexander, she batted .525 and averaged .400 over her high school career.
In her first year with UAB, she redshirted but is looking forward to competing in the spring for the Green and Gold at first base. She also takes a liking to basketball and has a love of shoes.
ALYSSA AGUILAR - 1B
Alyssa enters her sophomore year off a solid first year for the Green and Gold. She appeared in 39 games and started 18. At first base, she totaled 120 putouts and had a fielding percentage of .984. In high school she received the honor of best offensive player under the direction of Dana Vazsquez.
Entering her second year, Alyssa looks forward to the new atmosphere and leadership headlined by the new coaching staff.
LAUREN BROCK - 2B
LuLu is a Florida native with a passion for the game. At ten, she played an entire softball game on a broken arm. As she progressed to high school, she led the Bulldogs to a 2019 5A State Runner-Up title. Closing out her career, she received the 2021 Female Athlete of the Year honor.
Lauren appeared in 44 games as a freshman, starting 40 games and tallying 58 putouts and 83 assists at second base. This season, she looks forward to competing with her teammates.
KEEP UP WITH UAB SOFTBALL
To learn more about Ja'Nae, LuLu, and more of our UAB Softball players, follow @UAB_SB on Instagram and Twitter. For game previews, stories, and more, check our UAB Softball home page.
2022-23 GOLD CARD
Softball season tickets are currently available by purchasing the 2022-23 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card will allow you to gain access to all home events for Women's Basketball, as well as Women's Soccer, Men's Soccer, Volleyball, Baseball, and Softball. Fans can purchase a Gold Card by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1. For questions, email tickets@uab.edu.
