Marla Townsend eclipses UAB softball milestone

Marla Townsend is the only head coach in the history of the UAB softball program, and on April 5, both the coach and the program notched their 500th career win. The Blazers defeated Jacksonville State 6-3 at home to achieve the milestone.

“For the program to get its 500th win at Mary Bowers Field is phenomenal,” Townsend told UABsports.com. “Mary and Keith Bowers witnessed so many of those wins over at George Ward Park.”

Townsend was named UAB’s first head coach Sept. 1, 1998.

During her tenure, Townsend, who graduated from Pinson Valley High School in 1982, has guided the Blazers to five NCAA Tournaments (2010-14). UAB is currently sitting on six straight seasons of 30 wins or more.

She won the Conference USA Coach of the Year award in 2013, as UAB reached 40 wins for the first time in history, and advanced to the Super Regionals. That team had six players earn all-conference honors, and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association named Townsend and crew as the Mideast Coaching Staff of the Year.

Townsend also garnered C-USA Coach of the Year honors in 2002 and 2006. Before coming to UAB in 1998, she coached at Pelham High School and led the Classic White Lightning, a 16-and-under Amateur Softball Association team, in 1995 and 1996.