April 1, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala --- The UAB softball team begins a three game non-conference slate beginning with a doubleheader with Chattanooga Wednesday followed by a single night-game with Mississippi Valley State Thursday.

The Blazers begin the three games with a 18-21 overall record, after going 1-3 last weekend. The Blazers split their Conference USA series with Southern Miss last weekend.

Andrea Rogers look to extended her reaching base safely streak that sits at nine games prior to the three games. Rogers, the UAB all-time home run leader, has a team-high .330 average and belted her first homer of the season Saturday against the Lady Eagles. Holly Krzan's resume includes a career-high .315 average, to go along with three round-trippers and 18 RBI.

Jennifer Nelson and Kayla Harris are expected to share the pitching duties against the Mocs and Devilettes. Nelson carries a 10-14 record and 3.15 ERA into the contests, while Harris posts a 3.05 ERA and 8-7 mark. Nelson has 179 strikeouts in 157 2-3 innings pitched. Harris recently threw her second-career one-hitter against Southern Miss.

Chattanooga is in the midst of a season-high eight-game winning streak. The Mocs are 24-14 on the year and have a 14-4 record when playing at Jim Frost Stadium.

The Mocs are led by Katie Blevins, Michelle Fuzzard, Toni Hutchison and Tara Tembey. These four have combined to hit 25 home runs this season and drive in 95 runs. Blevins leads the club in both home run (12) and RBI (31) with a slugging percentage of .810.

Brooke Loudermilk is the Mocs' ace. She holds a 11-6 record and 2.09 ERA coming into the doubleheader with the Blazers. She has struck out 144, surrendering just 39 in 110 1-3 innings of work.

UAB holds an all-time series lead of 7-3 against Chattanooga.

The Blazers won three of four games last year against the Mocs, which included a two game swept in Birmingham. Andrea Rogers ended the series with a walk-off grand slam, giving UAB the 7-3 victory.

UAB will begin a season-long six-game home stand when it host Mississippi Valley Thursday at George Ward Park.

It will be the second time this season the Blazers and Devilettes have faced each other. UAB opened its season with a 5-2 defeat of Mississippi Valley in Itta Bena on February 7.

Live stats for Thursday's game will be available at www.uabsports.com.

The Blazers benefited from a five-run inning that happened after an ground ball, that would have ended the inning, was misplayed.

Angelia Jones is one of the standout players for Mississippi Valley. She is hitting .250 on the season, while leading the team with five homers 16 RBI, and 19 runs scored.

The Devilettes' pitching staff consists of three pitchers who have shared nearly equal time in the circle. Brittany Franklin holds a 6-3 record with a team-leading 1.86 ERA when she toes the rubber.

The Blazers continue their home stand when they host Tulsa beginning with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday. The three-game series will conclude with single game at 1 p.m. Sunday.