HUNTSVILLE | The UAH softball team is gearing up to face No. 5 Auburn Montgomery in a crucial three-game Gulf South Conference series at Charger Park, starting Friday with a single game at 4 p.m. Intended for avid sports fans and the local community, this event promises exciting competition as both teams feature strong line-ups. Admission to all UAH softball regular season home games is free this season, courtesy of Alabama Credit Union.
The Chargers enter the weekend with an overall record of 15-14 and an 8-7 mark in GSC play, which currently places them fifth in the league standings. This series at Charger Park comes right after a disappointing weekend where UAH dropped a series to West Florida, losing two of three matchups on March 14 and 16. Now, the team hopes to seize the opportunity of playing at home to turn their fortunes around.
Leading the charge offensively for UAH is Maddie Cartron, who is batting an impressive .395 through 29 games this season. In addition to her high batting average, Cartron has accumulated 59 total bases, boasting six doubles and leading the team with seven home runs, a testament to her power hitting. Joining her at the plate is Jada Henderson, who is enjoying a stellar season with a .361 average, complemented by 12 doubles and a solid 24 RBIs. Brittany Salten contributes with a .322 average, notable for her speed on the bases with 21 runs scored and an impressive 23 stolen bases.
On the pitching side, Katie Bracken stands out for her performance this year. With a 3.12 ERA over 89.2 innings pitched, she has been a vital asset to the Chargers’ pitching rotation. Her capability to get batters out is evident as she leads the conference with an impressive 116 strikeouts in her junior campaign.
In contrast, Auburn Montgomery rolls into Huntsville with a strong record of 18-6 and 11-4 in GSC play, having recently swept Christian Brothers at home. The Warhawks not only present a formidable challenge with four regular players each batting .330 or higher, but they also average 4.8 runs per game thanks to their balanced offense. Their pitching staff, noted for its efficiency, carries a phenomenal team ERA of 1.95, underscoring the difficulty that UAH faces this coming weekend.
The historical matchup between these two teams has been competitive, with UAH holding a narrow all-time series record of 12-13 against AUM. Adding to the rivalry, Auburn Montgomery has claimed victory in the last three matchups, leaving UAH eager to prove their prowess on home turf.
Looking beyond this weekend’s series, the Chargers have another significant challenge ahead as they prepare for a midweek, neutral-site doubleheader against nationally-ranked North Georgia in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on March 26 at 1 p.m. CT. This matchup will be crucial for UAH as they aim to boost their standing in the league and improve their overall performance this season.
As excitement grows for the upcoming games, fans and players alike are anticipating a fierce competition that showcases the best of college softball. UAH looks to ride the momentum of home advantage, strong performances from their key players, and community support as they take on one of the top teams in the nation.
