U A B
S O F T B A L L
Head Coach Marla Townsend 14th Season Alabama ◆ 1986 The 2011 season was Marla To w n s e n d ’s 13th at the helm of the UAB softball program and the recently-completed campaign was one to remember for the Blazers. Named UAB’s first head coach on Sept. 1, 1998, Townsend has guided the program since its infancy. Since coming to UAB, Townsend has coached 40 all-conference athletes and has guided the Blazers to an all-time record of 343355 (.491) and Conference USA mark of 128137 (.483). UAB enjoyed one of its most successful season in school history in 2011 as the Blazers earned the program’s second consecutive invitation to the NCAA Championship. UAB’s win total (39) tied the most in program history set in 2002 and the 17 victories in Conference USA play surpassed the school record (15). In addition, three players were named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team, representing the most selections in program history and the most among any C-USA team in 2011. Furthermore, the Blazers began conference play with a perfect 6-0 record for the first time in school history.
first-ever invitation to the NCAA Championship. UAB’s win total (37) marked the secondhighest in school history and the 15 victories in Conference USA play tied the school record. The Blazers were never ranked lower than No. 38 in the RPI during the season. In addition, UAB had six players named to all-conference teams, including three first-team performers. The Blazers also had four studentathletes receive all-region accolades. The Blazers concluded their 2009 campaign with an overall record of 21-34 and placed seventh in Conference USA with an 8-16 record. The Green and Gold kicked off the season by marking a milestone at the Hawaii Paradise Classic, defeating No. 19/17 LSU 5-3. UAB’s victory marked the second time in five years that the Blazers have defeated a top-25 ranked opponent. A pair of freshmen, outfielder Martina Landrum and outfielder/infielder Catherine Crawford, earned all-conference accolades. Landrum was dubbed the C-USA’s 2009 CoNewcomer of the Year, leading the conference in stolen bases, and Crawford was named to the league’s all-freshman team, closing the season with a .310 batting average and 31 RBIs.
In 2008, Townsend and her squad ended the season at 24-35 (9-15 C-USA). The Blazers wrapped up their season with a first round loss In 2010 the Blazers earned the program’s to Memphis in the C-USA Tournament. But despite the loss, the Blazers continued Blazers Under Townsend to rewrite the re Year Overall C-USA H A N cord books. Pitcher Nelson 2000 23-38 .377 6-12 .333 7-18 9-14 7-6 Jennifer 2001 27-35 .435 10-11 .476 7-13 9-14 11-8 finished her career 2002 39-22 .639 14-10 .583 17-4 14-14 8-4 as the all-time wins 2003 28-28 .500 10-14 .417 9-12 13-11 6-5 and strikeouts lead 2004 20-36 .357 7-17 .292 7-12 5-16 8-8 er.
2005 23-37 .383 7-16 .304 10-11 7-19 6-7 2006 31-22 .585 15-9 .762 16-5 9-12 6-5 2007 31-27 .534 10-13 .435 18-8 7-16 6-3 2008 24-35 .407 9-15 .375 9-11 4-17 11-7 2009 21-34 .382 8-16 .333 11-12 7-16 3-6 2010 37-22 .627 15-9 .625 13-6 11-12 13-4 2011 39-19 .672 17-6 .739 18-5 12-6 9-8 Totals 343-355 .491 128-137 .483 142-117 107-167 94-71
10
Infielder Holly Krzan also concluded her career on top, capturing the all-time records for doubles, games played, games started, total bases and walks.
2 0 1 2 U A B S of t bal l
Freshmen Laura Callaway and Caley Walden picked up nominations to the C-USA All-Freshman team. Townsend herself also received honors when she was inducted into the Alabama Amateur Softball Association’s Hall of Fame.
The Townsend File Playing Experience
1976 Dixie Youth Fast Pitch World Series Champions 1986-89 Birmingham Venturas 1988-93 White Lightning 1990-94 Atlanta Phoenix
Coaching Experience
1988-91 Head Coach -McAdory High School 1993-94 Head Coach - Rudd Junior High School 1995-96 Head Coach - White Lightning, ASA 16U 1997-98 Head Coach - Pelham High School 1998-Present Head Coach - UAB
Playing Honors & Awards
1992 First-Team All-American ASA Women’s Fastpitch 1993 First Team All-America Outfield Slowpitch Major Class
Coaching Honors & Awards
1989, 90 Shelby County Coach of the Year 1998 Jefferson County Coach of the Year 2002, 06 Conference USA Coach of the Year 2006 Inducted into the Dixie Softball Hall of Fame 2008 Inducted into the Alabama Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame