March 9, 2002

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB won the first annual Magic City Softball Classic by defeating Birmingham-Southern, 2-0, and Samford 7-3 Saturday at Samford. The host Bulldogs handed Birmingham-Southern a 3-0 loss to finish in second place.

UAB's (15-7) Beth Mullings was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. She went 5-11 (.455) with a double, a home run, and two RBI for the Blazers. UAB's Kerri Thompson was also named to the team, she pitched five innings against Samford on Saturday for her second win of the tournament. She finished the tournament 2-0 with a 0.58 ERA. In 12 innings, she struck out 11 batters and only walked one.

Samford's (12-11) Janet Middleton and Angela Bednark were received All-Tournament honors. Middleton became Samford's All-time RBI leader when she stroked a RBI-double in the seventh inning against UAB. She added a solo home run against Birmingham-Southern to go 4-7 on Saturday. For the tournament, she was 5-12 (.417) with two doubles, a home run, and two-RBI. Bednark's solo home run in the second inning against BSC was the eighth of the season which ties Samford's single season home run record. Bednark was the tournament's leading hitter batting .583 (7-12) she added two doubles and three-RBI. Amber Fuller picked up the victory for Samford against BSC as she threw her second shutout of the tournament. Fuller led all pitchers with a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA. In 12 innings, she surrendered just three hits while striking out six.

Birmingham-Southern (4-22) placed pitcher Ami Rodgers on the All-Tournament team. Rodgers pitched six strong innings against UAB giving up two runs on five hits. For the tournament, she was 0-1 with a 2.19 ERA in 16 innings of work.

Next year's second Magic City Classic will be held at Birmingham-Southern College. The tentitive dates for the tournament are March 9-10, 2003.