The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
South Florida
USF Defeats Blazer Baseball In Series Opener Friday night
3/23/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 23, 2001
TAMPA, Fla. - Mike Cunningham, Rick Stegbauer and Jeremy Earle each drove in a pair of runs to lead South Florida to an 8-4 Conference USA baseball victory over UAB here Friday night at Red McEwen Field.
USF (12-14 overall, 3-1 in C-USA) exploded for four runs in the third inning to put the home team up for good. The big inning began with a pair of infield singles and a double steal before Mike Eylward could drive in the game's first run with a single up the middle. An RBI groundout by Chris Cuccia extended the advantage, while Rick Stegbauer completed the inning's scorbing by clubbing his second home run of the campaign - a two-run home shot.
That big inning started a four-straight inning scoring string for the Bulls as they added solo runs in the fourth and fifth, before notching a pair of runs in the sixth.
USF got six runs on eight hits and six walks off UAB starter Ross Dobbins (3-2), who suffered the loss in the contest in 4 2/3 innings. Dobbins did fan eight Bulls in the outing.
The Blazers (14-8, 2-2) were held scoreless until the sixth when they collected three runs. Chris George began the frame with his third home run of the year to straightaway centerfield before Brandon Isbell followed with a two-run single.
UAB added another run on a Matt Gaulden RBI single in the eighth.
John Gorham (4-3) went seven strong innings to earn the victory as he surrendered three runs on eight hits and struckout six Blazers. Joey Livingston worked the final 1 1/3 to earn his first save of the season.
The two teams will continue the series with a 12 noon CST contest Saturday.
