The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
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Mississippi State
Weekly Preview: Softball Hosts Mississippi State, North Texas
4/2/2024 2:20:00 PM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Softball returns to Mary Bowers Field to host an SEC opponent in Top 25 Ranked Mississippi State and a conference series versus North Texas. The Blazers come off a three-game skid at Tulsa putting them at a record of 14-20 going into the first week of April. They take on a Mississippi State squad for the third time this season before facing C-USA-turned-AAC foe in UNT.
The Blazers will also welcome UAB Men's Basketball forward and AAC Defensive Player of the Year, Yaxel Lendeborg for a ceremonial first pitch against the Bulldogs.
UAB (14-20, 5-7 AAC) vs. #17/20 Mississippi State (25-9, 6-6 SEC)
April 3 | 5 PM | Mary Bowers Field | Birmingham, Ala.
WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Mississippi State and UAB meet for the third time in the 2024 season after being each other's first meetings of the 2024 season in the Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament. The Blazers fell to the Bulldogs 0-11 in five innings on Feb. 9 before losing the second meeting 2-6. The team's record sits at 6-20, with the Blazers' last win over MSU coming in 2016.
The Bulldogs sit at a ranking of 17th in ESPN rankings and 20th in RPI rankings after going 25-9 on the season as of April 2. They sit in the middle of the pack in SEC standings with a 6-6 conference record after a pair of losses to Florida before a notable comeback win scoring seven runs in one inning. Before the Florida series, MSU had a series clinch over Arkansas and avoided a sweep by Texas A&M with a 6-5 victory.
They rank second in the SEC with a batting average of .338, with a game-high performance against the Blazers with an average of .542. The Bulldogs are ranked top three in four statistical categories, including RBIs and on-base percentage. Ella Wesolowski leads the team in batting with an average of .397. The freshman is ranked top five in three offensive categories.
Defensively, Mississippi State sits at the bottom of the league in fielding with .955, leading the conference in errors with 41. They welcome Louisiana Tech transfer, Sierra Sacco, who leads the team in fielding with a perfect percentage, totaling 39 catches and 38 putouts.
UAB (14-20, 5-7 AAC) vs. North Texas (21-13, 10-2 AAC)
April 5-7 | Mary Bowers Field | Birmingham, Ala.
WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS
SCOUTING THE MEAN GREEN
After a series clinch last season for the first time since 2018, the Blazers welcome UNT for their first AAC meeting between the two. The Blazers and Mean Green have faced off for over a decade, with UAB leading the overall series 17-13. UNT sits at the top of the AAC standings with a record of 10-2, where their only two losses came from UTSA and South Florida.
The Mean Green ranks seventh in the AAC in hitting with an average of .250, two places below UAB. However, UNT ranks fifth in doubles with 42 on the year as of April 2. In addition to doubles, the Mean Green ranks top three in fielding double plays, to the credit of Cierra Simon, who leads the team in the state with eight.
In addition to their defensive prowess, the pitching corps from the Mean Green has had notable performances resulting in two Pitcher of the Week nods from the conference. McKenzie Wagoner and Mackenzie Childers are the two to watch for in the circle from UNT, with Childers holding her opponents to a batting average of .191. Wagoner has pitched 78.2 innings for North Texas, with Childers right behind pitching 75. Collectively, they've struck out 139 batters.
PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3: Belt Bag Giveaway + Ceremonial First Pitch
The first 100 fans to arrive at Mary Bowers Field will receive a Blazer Belt Bag. Arrive early to secure the bag!
UAB Men's Basketball Forward Yaxel Lendeborg will throw the first pitch for the Blazers' game against Mississippi State.
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉'𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧' 𝐊'𝐬 🏀🥎
— UAB Softball (@UAB_SB) April 2, 2024
We welcome AAC Defensive Player of the Year, Yaxel Lendeborg tomorrow to throw the first ceremonial first pitch vs. Mississippi State tomorrow at 5 PM!
Be there! pic.twitter.com/GkVDhDJJzD
SATURDAY, APRIL 5: Donate Life Day + Dragon Egg Hunt
UAB Softball will host its annual Donate Life Game versus UNT. For National Donate Life Month, UAB Softball will educate and amplify the importance of organ donation throughout the game and with marketing and promotional materials.
Blazer fans can stay after the conclusion of the game to participate in the Dragon Egg Hunt, hosted at Young Memorial Field.
SUNDAY, APRIL 6: AAC Unity Week + Signature Sunday
UAB Softball will participate in the American Athletic Conference's Unity Week.
The Blazers will also participate in Signature Sunday. Fans can stay after the postgame for an autograph session with their favorite Blazer Softball players.
FOLLOW UAB SOFTBALL
To keep up with UAB Softball, follow @UAB_SB on Instagram and Twitter.
2023-24 GOLD CARD
You can support UAB Softball all season by purchasing Season Tickets. Tickets are available by purchasing the 2023-24 Gold Card for $65. The 2023-24 Gold Card will get you access to all home events for Women's Soccer, Men's Soccer, Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (Regions Field & Young Memorial). This card is not valid for AAC or NCAA Championship events.
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