Jan. 2, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB baseball team has received a late addition to its 2007 roster as junior right-handed pitcher Dustin Colburn has transferred to UAB, according to an announcement made by UAB head coach Brian Shoop on Tuesday. The Tuscaloosa, Ala. native joins the Blazers after spending last season at Shelton State Community College and is eligible to take the mound for the Blazers this spring.

"We normally don't like to take mid-semester transfers," Shoop said. "But this was too good of an opportunity to let pass us by. Dustin is a special talent and a special young man. Having played junior college baseball at Shelton State with and against many of our current players will help him fit in immediately."

Colburn played his high school baseball at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa under head coach Todd Agee, where he compiled a 7-2 record over four years with 52 strikeouts, while holding hitters to a .216 batting average. Colburn was also named to the ABC Underclassman Showcase First Team while playing at Hillcrest.

Following his high school career, Colburn went to play at Central Alabama before moving on to Shelton State CC. He has earned nine victories as a collegiate pitcher and has logged 51.0 innings of work in which he has struck out 56 hitters.

"On the mound Dustin can be overpowering," Shoop said. "We are very hopeful that he will be a big factor on the mound right away. He trained under Bobby Sprowl who is one of the best pitching minds in Alabama baseball and should be able to transition to Division I baseball very quickly."

The 6'1, 210 pound righty will bring in a great deal of experience and talent to impact the Blazers this season in addition to providing a character and leadership quality that will fit in to the Blazer baseball family.

"Off the field, Dustin is another kid who will work hard in the classroom and do the right things off the field," Shoop said. "We are excited to add Dustin to our baseball family and we really believe UAB baseball is better today than we were yesterday."

Colburn is the son of Allyn and Sandra Colburn and is majoring in criminal justice.