UAB Softball Concludes Day 3 of the Green & Gold Classic

Sunday, February 26

Mary Bowers Field

11:45 AM

UAB

10-6

Butler University

3-13

Butler

UAB

UAB Softball Concludes Day 3 of the Green & Gold Classic

2/26/2023 7:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BIRMINGHAM – The Blazers concluded the final day of the Green and Gold Classic with a win and a loss on the board. UAB finished their first game over Butler with a historic game for Olivia Valbak, who completed a perfect game to raise the Blazers to a 2-0 win.

The Blazers followed up with a rematch against ULM, who shut out UAB with seven runs to finish out the final game of the tournament. The Green and Gold finished the day 1-1, and their record transitioned to 10-7.

"Disappointing ending to the weekend. We've got to go back to work and continue to improve all aspects," said head coach AJ Daugherty. "We have four very challenging games ahead of us before starting conference-play and I want to see our team grow. It's all about being prepared for Conference USA opponents and these next four games will be great opportunities for us to see great competition."

GAME 1: UAB (2) BUTLER (0)
The Blazers completed the first game of the day making up for the rained-out game on Friday against Butler. UAB started hot, with the infield doing the heavy lifting, delivering three-and-outs to draw toward the bottom of the first. The Blazers' Sierra Frazier then dropped a two-run shot to center field, putting the score at 2-0.

Olivia Valbak proceeded to creep into perfect game territory, with the help of her defense who delivered three-ups and three-downs consistently throughout the game. At the bottom of the fifth, the Blazers got on base but were not able to capitalize.

As the game crept into the final innings, Valbak suffered an injury advancing to second base, putting Reese Lowery as a pinch runner. The Blazers would not be able to score, but Valbak returned to the circle to complete the game giving the Bulldogs no opportunity for runs or hits. Valbak completed the first perfect game of her career, helping the Blazers to a 2-0 win.

GAME 2: UAB (0) ULM (7)
UAB and ULM began the beginning of the game on a dry spell. The Blazers and the Warhawks tallied a total of 16 at-bats between the two teams. Sarah Cespedes entered the game, allowing three hits early in the first inning with three runners on base, but she was able to stop ULM from scoring with a strikeout.

The defensive efforts from both sides were enough to hold the score at zero apiece up until the sixth inning. The Warhawks went on a scoring rally, with ULM gaining a run off a single from Madison Fletcher. Two more runs were added to the board from Ard, Kreps, and Blount to extend the lead to seven.

The Blazers would not secure a runner on base, leaving a total of seven stranded throughout the game.

IN THE BOX

The Blazers went ten innings before allowing a hit from their opponents.
UAB totaled eight hits between their two games on Sunday.
Home Run Count: Frazier totaled four homers this weekend
Valbak and Cespedes finished Sunday with a total of 7 strikeouts.

UP NEXT
The Blazers return to action on Friday, March 3 where they will host SEC member Florida for a weekend series at Mary Bowers Field starting at 6 PM.

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2022-23 GOLD CARD
Softball season tickets are available by purchasing the 2022-23 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card will allow you access to all home events for Women's Basketball, 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.