The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Samford University
Weekly Preview: Blazers Take on Samford, Travels to UTSA
4/18/2023 11:45:00 AM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Softball (21-21, 9-6 C-USA) returns to action, taking on a crosstown rival and a C-USA foe for the week of April 17. The Blazers travel to Samford to take on the Bulldogs for the series finale for their final mid-week meeting of the season, then travel to the Alamo City to take on UTSA over the weekend.
UAB comes off a three-game loss against No. 11 Arkansas, who the Blazers had not played the Razorbacks in over a decade. The Green and Gold had impressive defensive showings, including three diving putouts from the third baseman, Lindsey Smith.
The Blazers return to action with a record of 21-21 with their final non-conference meeting versus Samford at Samford Softball Stadium and 9-6 before going in against UTSA.
UAB (21-21, 9-6 C-USA) vs. Samford (18-25, 7-5 SoCon)
April 19 | 5 PM | Samford Softball Stadium | Birmingham, Ala.
Watch Live (ESPN+) | Live Stats
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Samford and UAB have a storied background dating back decades, with the Blazers leading the overall series between the two teams. The last meeting between these two teams goes back to February of 2023 at the UAB Blazer Bash, where Olivia Valbak delivered a walk-off RBI single to give the Blazers win number 33 overall.
This season, Samford sits at a record of 18-25 as of April 17, where they come off a win over SoCon foe, UNCG. The Bulldogs broke a four-game losing streak, finishing with ten hits on four runs to halt the series sweep from the Spartans. The Bulldogs total a conference record 7-5, sitting at the number three spot in SoCon Standings.
Samford holds a team batting average of .261, with Logan Champion leading the team with an average of .341. She totals 21 RBIs, 13 doubles, and eight homers for the Bulldogs. In the circle, McKenzie Newcomb leads the team in W/L percentage and ERA with a record of 10-8 and 2.03. The 2022 SoCon Freshman of the Year has struck out 134 batters.
UAB (21-21, 9-6 C-USA) vs. UTSA (7-32, 3-11 C-USA)
April 21-April 23 | Roadrunner Field | San Antonio, Texas
Watch Live | Live Stats
SCOUTING THE ROADRUNNERS
UTSA enters the week on a four-game losing streak, where the Roadrunners were swept by Louisiana Tech, with their final game going the distance with a ten-inning stretch. UTSA fell to LaTech 0-1 in a walk-off, where the Roadrunners put up seven hits to the Lady Techsters' eight. UTSA sits at a record of 3-11, putting them second to last in conference play behind UTEP.
The Roadrunners hold a batting average of .242, with Kat Ibarra leading the way with an average of .362 with 130 at-bats. Playing and starting all 39 games so far, Ibarra totals eight stolen base attempts and six stolen bases as of April 17. The Roadrunners average an ERA of 6.16 to their opponents' 3.38. Marena Estell leads the pack in ERA with 4.97 out of the Roadrunners' pitching corps. She also holds batters to an average of .255.
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