The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Centenary
Softball Wins Home Opener
2/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 23, 2002
Birmingham, Ala. - UAB's Megan Stephenson threw a no-hitter to lead UAB to a victory over Centenary 9-0 in the Blazers home opener at George Ward Park Field No. 6.
Stephenson (2-1) picked up the win for UAB, throwing her first collegiate no hitter. The no-hitter also marked UAB's third in its history. Stephenson threw five innings and struck out seven.
The Blazers (6-3) started early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Junior shortstop Candice Hithe (Daphne, Ala.) led the game off with a double. Outfielder Cliffanie Engram (Pelham, Ala.) reached on an error by Centenary's (3-12-1) third baseman. Senior third baseman Aimee Vaughn (New Orleans, La.) then hit a three-run home run over the left field fence, marking her first home run at UAB.
In the second inning, Freshman Kris Lara (Elk Grove, Calif.) led off the inning with a double to center field. Outfielder Emily Scarbrough (Ooltewah, Tenn.) reached on an error. Lara and Scarbrough both scored on a single by Hithe to add two more runs, which put the score at 5-0. With one out, Engram singled. Sophomore Beth Mullins (Fairhope, Ala.) walked. With two outs, senior first baseman Kai Paul (Birmingham, Ala.) hit a double to right center to score Engram and Mullins and put the Blazers up 8-0.
Hithe led off the fourth inning with a single. She stole second, then advanced to third on fielder's choice. Hithe tagged and scored on a pop up by Mullins.
UAB will play a doubleheader tomorrow against in-state rival Alabama A & M, beginning at 1 p.m.
