The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Edges Blazer Baseball 4-3
2/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 21, 2001
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vanderbilt starting pitcher Steven Faulkner threw six solid innings and first baseman Sean Luellwitz's double in the fifth inning, scoring third baseman Ashley Freeman proved to be the difference in the Commodores' 4-3 edging of UAB Wednesday at Charles Hawkins Field at the McGugin Center.
Faulkner struck out five, walked two and allowed two earned runs in his six innings of work to improve to 2-0 on the season. Relievers Matt Vaughn and Rob Bedwell slowed any hopes of a rally by the Blazers, striking out three, walking one and allowing only one run -- a solo home run over the new 35-foot wall in left field by UAB catcher Al Hecklinski. Bedwell pitched two innings and a third and picked up his first save of the season.
Vanderbilt (3-1) jumped out to the early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second after its first two batters were retired by Blazer starter Joe Yarbrough. Designated hitter Adam Blue walked and second baseman Chris Broadus reached base when UAB second baseman Nick Clark had trouble fielding a ground ball by Commodore second baseman Chris Broadus. That continued the inning for catcher David Wallace, who hit a double to left center, scoring Blue and Broadus.
UAB (3-3) quickly answered in its next two at bats.
In the top of the third, center fielder Mitch Jones reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, and scored on left fielder Cory Acklus' RBI single.
In the top of the fourth, shortstop Mark Garner extended his 2001 hitting streak to six with an RBI single that scored Hecklinski from third, tying the game at 2-2.
Vanderbilt added a run in its half of the fourth when Blue scored on a bases-loaded ground out by right fielder Kyle Flubacker. That set the stage for Luellwitz's key hit in the fifth.
UAB starter Yarbrough (1-1) worked five complete innings, allowing four runs on four hits, walking four and striking out one.
UAB returns to Young Memorial Field this weekend to begin a 12-game home stand with a three-game series vs. Lipscomb University. Friday's game is set to begin at 2:00 pm CST.
