The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Jacksonville St
Jacksonville State Spoils UAB Baseball Season Opener
2/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Jacksonville State right fielder Ben Phillips hit a two-run homer in the third inning to break the game open and starting pitcher Lucas McCollum allowed one run on three hits over five and two thirds innings as the Gamecocks (3-0) defeated UAB 7-1 Tuesday, spoiling the Blazers' 2002 opener at Young Memorial Field.
Jacksonville State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as left fielder Matt Ruckdeschel led off with a single, broke for second base and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by second baseman Ben Padilla, and scored on a single by third baseman Evan Conley.
The Gamecocks added to their lead in the top of the third inning as shortstop Andrew Tarver led off with a single, stole second base, advanced to third on a single by Padilla, and scored on a fielder's choice by Conley.? With two outs and Conley on first, Phillips slammed a pitch by UAB starter Scott Gibson over the right field wall to make the score 4-0.
In the fifth inning, Ruckdeschel reached on a fielding error by UAB third baseman J.B. Fesmire, advanced to third, and scored two batters later on a throwing error by Fesmire, giving Jacksonville State a 5-0 lead.
McCollum retired the next five Blazer batters, but ran into trouble when UAB right fielder Kyle Leon drove a solid double into the right corner with two out in the bottom of the sixth.? The next batter, designated hitter Al Hecklinski, singled to right center, driving in Leon to make the score 5-1.?
Gamecock head coach Jim Case then went to his bullpen, bringing in right-hander Joey Shiflett, who struck out UAB shortstop Mark Garner to end the inning.
UAB missed a golden opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning as Fesmire drew a one-out walk and was safe at second as Gamecock shortstop Tarver was unable to hold on to a throw from Padilla, who had fielded a ground ball by UAB's Seth Rollin.? With men on first and second, Shiflett struck out center fielder Quincey Williams and retired left fielder Mitch Jones on a groundout to end the threat.
Jacksonville State added two more runs in the top of the ninth inning as first baseman Nic Brown led off with a double t o deep center field and later scored on a throwing error by UAB reliever Cody Cillo, and designated hitter Travis Suereth scored on a fielder's choice by Tarver.
McCollum (1-0) worked five and two-thirds innings to earn the victory, walking three and striking out seven.? Shiflett worked three and one-third innings in relief to get the save, allowing only one hit, no runs, walking one and striking out three.
UAB's Gibson (0-1) took the defeat, working four complete innings, allowing four runs walking one and striking out two. Redshirt freshman Ryan Huffman worked three complete innings in relief, allowing one unearned run on two hits, with no walks and four strikeouts.
