The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Ohio St
Baseball Drops A Heartbreaker To Ohio State
2/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
E.J. Laratta tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout Friday afternoon as no. 26 Ohio State (1-0) nipped UAB 2-0 in the opening round of the 2002 National Bank of Commerce Classic at Dudy Noble Field.
It was the season-opener for the Buckeyes. UAB dropped to 2-4 overall.
Laratta and UAB starter Joe Yarbrough (0-1) were matched in a scoreless deadlock until the eighth inning. Pinch-hitter Steve Caravati opened the OSU eighth wiith a pinch-hit infield single but was retired at second on a fielder's choice grounder by Brett Garrard. Gerrard stole second, advanced to third on a balk, and scored the game's first run on Doug Dendinger's single to right.
The Buckeyes used a pair of signles and a fielding miscue to add an insurance run in the ninth off UAB relief pitcher Tony Falls.
Laratta walked one and allowed three singles in notching his 15th career complete game and his 27th career win.
Yarbrough scattered five hits, walked two and struck out six in eight innings.
Garrard singled twice to lead OSU's seven-hit attack, while Matt Gaulden had two of UAB's three hits.
