SAN ANONIO — The UTSA softball team returns to action this weekend when it travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to compete at the three-day Bama Bash. Tournament play gets underway on Friday morning at Rhoads Stadium.
For the second consecutive weekend, the Roadrunners (2-3) will face a tough field, beginning with an 11 a.m. matchup against Syracuse (4-0) on Friday. UTSA then will face No. 3 Alabama (5-0) later that day in a 6 p.m. contest before playing a pair of games on Saturday against Louisville (3-2) at 11 a.m. and the Orange at 6 p.m. The Roadrunners conclude the event with an 11 a.m. tilt on Sunday against the Cardinals.
The Roadrunners never have played Syracuse or Louisville and are winless in two attempts against the Crimson Tide.
Click here for complete information on this weekend's event and live stats for each of the Birds' five games can be accessed here.
Freshman catcher Molly Fichtner was named Southland Conference Hitter of the Week after leading UTSA at last weekend's Getterman Classic. Fichtner recorded a .500 batting average (8-for-16) with a grand slam and six RBIs at the three-day tournament in Waco. Her 4-for-4, five-RBI performance against No. 24 Illinois last Friday lifted the Roadrunners to their first win over a ranked opponent since 2008.
Syracuse led by NFCA All-Region and second-team All-Big East performer Lisaira Daniels. The speedy junior outfielder hit .370 a year ago with 10 doubles, four triples, 25 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Sophomore Veronica Grant also was an all-region selection after hitting .317 and recording a .987 fielding percentage in center field.
Alabama, the Southeastern Conference coaches favorite to win the league, sports three preseason All-SEC performers, including All-American Kelsi Dunne. The senior struck out a school-record 355 batters last season en route to being named the conference’s Pitcher of the Year.
Louisville returns 16 players from last year's 41-19 squad that made an NCAA Regional appearance. Senior Chelsea Bernis and junior Tori Collins both earned first-team All-Big East honors, while Bernis was tabbed the circuit's Player of the Year in addition to being named all-region.
