The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Six Blazers Named to C-USA All-Conference Team
5/9/2023 12:01:00 PM | Softball
DALLAS – Conference USA announced their All-Conference Teams Tuesday afternoon, with six Blazers represented. Sierra Frazier represented the Blazers on the All-Conference First Team, while Olivia Valbak, Bella Wiggins, and Leigha Kirby are on the Second Team. Hannah Miles and Caitlin Russell were called to the All-Conference Freshman team.
C-USA FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Frazier was also named Player of the Year and finished a stellar senior campaign complete with an all-time RBI nod, 12 homers, 44 RBIs, only being struck out four times throughout the season. Leading the Blazers in slugging with .679 and batting with a .328 average, Frazier is ranked top ten in five offensive statistical categories in the conference including OPS and sacrifice flies.
C-USA SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Valbak has contributed in many ways as a Blazer this season as a shortstop, hitter, and pitcher. On Feb. 26, she delivered the first perfect game of her career against Butler, striking out four batters and tallied a hit. She started all 52 games so far this season, where she's totaled 158 at-bats and 46 hits. She tallied two walk-offs (Samford, FIU), with one of two being a multi-hit game for her. She has the fourth-highest batting average on the team and a W/L record of 5-5.
Bella Wiggins contributed a solid second year for the Blazers, starting 42 out of 49 games, all at center field. On the defensive, she's tallied 52 putouts for the Green and Gold with a fielding percentage of .931. On the offensive, she's maintained a batting average above .300 with a .328 on the season. With 137 at-bats, she's connected 45 hits with 17 RBIs, eight doubles, and two homers.
Kirby has entered her first year at the NCAA Division 1 level with numerous accolades to add to her belt. In her first year as a Blazer, she appeared in 20 games and started 14. Striking out 67 batters, Kirby sits at a record of 6-8 with two saves to add. As of May 9 she is fifth in conference-only stats with an ERA of 1.74. She's pitched a total of seven complete games on the season.
C-USA ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Russell entered her first year as a Blazer with an impressive 10-2 W/L record after starting nine games and appearing in 20. She's been able to pitch four complete games and tallied a season-high five strikeouts against UTEP the weekend of April 30. Russell pitched 76 innings on the season, allowing 37 runs and maintaining an ERA of 3.43. In conference statistics, she sits seventh in wins with six and fifth in saves with two.
Miles entered her first year contributing to the outfield immediately. Starting 51 of 52 games, she totaled 62 putouts with a season-high of four against UCA at the beginning of the season. Her fielding percentage sits at .941, and on the offensive, she's tallied 13 RBIs and two homers, along with 112 at-bats and nine stolen bases on the season.
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2023 CONFERENCE USA SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
UAB Softball is going to the C-USA Softball Tournament!
The Blazers are set to play on Thursday, May 11 at noon against the winner of the UNT v. MTSU/La Tech game. For all C-USA Tournament information, check out the C-USA Championship Central Page.
