The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
University of Alabama
Blazers Host No. 9 Alabama, FAU at Mary Bowers Field
3/6/2023 6:39:00 PM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM – The Blazers enter the week of March 6 against the second SEC opponent in the last week in No. 9 Alabama on Wednesday, March 8. They then enter the weekend opening conference play against Florida Atlantic on Friday, March 10.
Both matchups are to be held at Mary Bowers Field, where the Blazers concluded the Florida series with a 4-1 loss to the Gators. UAB sits at 10-10, with a home record of 8-6.
UAB (10-10, 0-0 C-USA) vs. No. 9 Alabama (17-3, 0-0 SEC)
March 8 | 6 PM | Mary Bowers Field | Birmingham, Ala.
Watch Live (ESPN+) | Live Stats | Tickets
"We're excited to host another great program at Mary Bowers Field," said head coach AJ Daugherty. "This is one of those in-state games that is a big deal for everyone and it will be another great opportunity for us to play high-level competition as we head into conference-play."
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
UAB welcomes the Crimson Tide to Mary Bowers for their 29th meeting. UAB and Alabama have met consistently every year save for a five-year gap after the inaugural season for the Blazers.
No. 9 Alabama comes in on a win streak of six games after back-to-back run-rule wins over Longwood and Mercer at the T-Mobile Crimson Classic. Graduate student Montana Fouts helped the Crimson Tide to the shutout win after tossing a perfect game on her part, the eighth one in program history.
Fouts sits second on the Tide in ERA with an average of 1.69. The top spot goes to Lauren Esman, who holds an ERA of 1.31. At bat, Kenleigh Cahalan leads the team in batting average with .400. Right behind Cahalan is Ashley Prange with an average of .375 and leads the team in slugging with .839.
As a team, the Crimson Tide tallied up a team-high of 14 runs last week against Indiana State. They also totaled four homers in the same game, also a team-high. In the 2023 season, Alabama has racked up eight run-rule games, averaging 6.85 runs per game.
UAB (10-10, 0-0 C-USA) vs. Florida Atlantic (14-7, 0-0 C-USA)
March 10-12 | Mary Bowers Field | Birmingham, Ala.
Watch Live | Live Stats | Tickets
"Conference series just seem to have a little more juice. All of the early season games are in preparation for conference-play" said Daugherty. "As a coach, you hope that your team has been tested and challenged going into that opening weekend. I can say that I am confident that we have played a schedule that should have us prepared. We're fired up to get going."
SCOUTING THE OWLS
FAU enters 2023 with a record of 14-7, with a five-game win streak after a series of wins at the Owl Classic March 2-5. The Owls finished the previous season with an overall record of 29-26 and a conference record of 15-9.
Florida Atlantic enters conference play with a C-USA Pitcher of the Week nod to Gabby Sacco. Sacco finished the previous week with a no-hitter against Illinois State, going 2-0 in the circle. In addition to Sacco, Sara Berthiaume leads the team in batting average and slugging percentage with .359 and .516. Berthiaume also leads in hits with a total of 23 as of March 6.
As a team, the Owls sit in the middle of the pack in ERA with an average of 2.98, while they sit at tenth out of 11 in batting average with .263. In the field, they hold a fielding percentage of .968, sitting at the top half of the pack in the league in this criteria.
TICKETS
Limited tickets remain for UAB's matchup against Alabama this week. Fans are encouraged to purchase game tickets in advance of the mid-week match up here.
PROMOTIONAL DEALS: FAU SERIES
Friday's matchup against FAU is Girl Scouts Night. Girl Scouts receive $2 tickets upon entry.
Saturday's matchup highlights first responders with First Responders' Day. First responders receive a free ticket upon entry for their continued service to the community.
The series finale against Florida Atlantic is "Sunday Funday". Pre and post game activities will be available to fans young and old. Included activities include:
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First Ten Kids to visit the Marketing Table get on-field access with UAB Softball for "Anthem Buddies" pregame
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Postgame "Kids Run the Bases"
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Postgame Signature Session with UAB Softball
FOLLOW UAB SOFTBALL
To keep up with UAB Softball, follow@UAB_SB on Instagram and Twitter. For game previews, stories, and more, check our UAB Softball home page.
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.
