The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Softball Signs Five for 2017
11/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB softball head coach Marla Townsend announced the signing of five standout high school softball players to the Blazers’ softball team on Wednesday. The signing class consists of Bailie Barnes, Raina Cooper, Sarah Crawford, Emily Kachel and Rachel Owens.
“My staff and I are excited about our 2017 signing class. These ladies compete at the highest level and want to be at UAB,” Townsend said. “We recruit families and have added five amazing families to ours. I look forward to their arrival on campus next fall and expect them to compete for a starting position immediately.”
Bailie Barnes, Right Handed Pitcher
Barnes is one of two right handed pitchers that signed to further their playing career at UAB. A four-time All-State selection at Beauregard High School in Beauregard, Ala., Barnes was named O/A Player of the Year in 2015 and made First Team All-Area from 2013-15.
She is a member of the Georgia Academy Power travel ball team and was named Player of the Year in 2012.
Barnes is the daughter of Cody and Leah Barnes and has one brother Bodie. Her anticipated major is occupational physical therapy.
Raina Cooper, Outfielder
Cooper will come to UAB from Bishop McNamara High School in Clinton, Md. She was named to the All-WCAC First Team and All-Met Honorable Mention in 2016.
She was awarded the High School Coach’s Award as well as being named to the Gazette All-County First Team and All-WCAC Second Team in 2015. She was also named All-WCAC Honorable Mention her freshman season in 2014.
In 2015, she helped her team become co-champions in the Team New Jersey Summer Showcase where they finished 9-1. She also helped her team become the undefeated champions in the Under Armour Softball Factory 18U Eastern Classic in 2016.
Cooper is a member of the Virginia Glory Premier travel ball team where she led her team to a third place finish in the PGF 16U Platinum Nationals.
Cooper is very active in the classroom as well as on the field. She is in multiple clubs and has been on the Dean’s List, Honor Roll and is a member of the Student Government Association.
She is the daughter of Wesley and Venita Cooper and has two brothers, Leighton and Yves. Her anticipated major is business and sports management.
Sarah Crawford, Catcher
Crawford, a catcher, will come to UAB from Braden River High School in Bradenton, Fla. She was named All-State in 2015 and All-County in 2014 and 2015.
She plays for the Crossfire travel ball team and they were the ASA national runners-up in 2016. Crawford also played for Team America in Italy.
The Bradenton, Fla., native is the daughter of Luther Crawford and step mother Sabrina Young. She has one sister, Kaitlyn and her anticipated major is nursing.
Emily Kachel, Right Handed Pitcher
Kachel, a right handed pitcher from Harrison High School in Powder Springs, Ga., was awarded many accolades in high school. She was named to the Georgia Dugout Club All-State Team, Cobb County Pitcher of the Year and was Georgia 6-A All-State.
She was a four-year starter with a 1.38 ERA and set the school record with 62 career wins and 502 career innings pitched.
A two-time region Pitcher of the Year, Kachel helped lead her team to the region championships in 2014 and 2015 where they won and were state runners-up in 2013.
Kachel played with the Georgia Impact travel ball team the past three years but is now a member of the Atlanta Vipers.
She also excels in the classroom with a 4.25 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society and won the Scholar Athlete Award
She’s the daughter of Ivan and Amy Kachel and plans to major in engineering.
Rachel Owens, Shortstop
Owens will come to UAB from Canyon High School in Anaheim, Calif., where she was a four-year varsity scholar athlete letter winner, the 2016 Team Defensive MVP and was awarded the Individual All-League Award in 2016.
Her high school team won the Crestview League Championship in 2015 and 2016 and were back-to-back CIF Division I state semi-finalists.
The shortstop plays travel ball for Team Easton and was selected to the Mexico Junior National softball team.
She is the daughter of Dean and Lulu Owens and has one brother, Jake. Her anticipated major is Biology pre-med.
For more information on UAB Athletics, visit UABsports.com. Fans can find UAB softball on Twitter and Instagram at @UAB_SB.
