The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
OAKLAND
Baseball Sweeps Double-Header With Big Win Over Oakland
3/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 1, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB pounded out 20 hits and scored 18 runs in another come-from-behind victory, sweeping a double-header from Oakland (Mich.) University 18-11 Friday afternoon at Young Memorial Field in Birmingham, Ala.
As was the case in game one, UAB found itself behind early.
Oakland drew first blood in the top of the second inning as first baseman Peter Varon walked, moved to second on a single by catcher Matt Gabrielli, and scored on a double by third baseman Ty Herriot.
UAB took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second as third baseman Matt Gaulden walked with one out, and left fielder Mitch Jones -- back in the starting lineup after his game one heroics - slammed his second consecutive home run to left center for two RBI.
The Grizzlies would not go away however, scoring three runs in the top of the third. Left fielder David Alexander singled home shortstop Ryan Frieburger, and then scored himself as Varon slammed a two-run homer to right field off Blazer starter Andre Parks, making the score 4-2.
Oakland added two more runs in the fourth on a two-run homer by second baseman Josh Madsen that also scored Herriot and knocked UAB's Parks from the game.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, UAB's Gaulden homered to left off Oakland starter Steve Kniebbe to cut the Grizzlies' lead to 6-3.
UAB blew the game open in the bottom of the sixth inning, highlighted by a two RBI double by second baseman Seth Rollin and an RBI single by Jones, who finished the day with five RBI.
The Blazers tacked on six more runs in the seventh, sending ten batters to the plate. UAB had back-to-back-to-back doubles by first baseman Matt Womble, right fielder Kyle Leon, and Gaulden, who added two more RBI to his total of five for the day.
With a 14-7 lead entering the eighth inning, the Blazers seemed to be on the way to an easy win, but Oakland would not cooperate, loading the bases with a single by Frieburger, a hit batter -- Trosen, by UAB reliever Kevin Brannon, who then walked Alexander. The next batter, Varon, drilled a grand slam home run to left center field off Brannon, making the score 14-11.
UAB responded with four more runs in the bottom of the eighth, highlighted by an RBI double by Rollin.
UAB reliever Michael Stallings (1-1) got the victory with two and two-thirds innings of work, allowing no runs on two hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Cody Cillo worked the last out of the eighth and the ninth inning to earn his second save of the year, allowing one hit, no runs or walks, and striking out three.
Oakland reliever Brad Morenko (0-1) got the loss, allowing one run on two hits in the sixth. Morenko faced two batters and allowed the double to Rollin and a single to catcher Brad Bamberg.
UAB (4-6) and Oakland (0-8) are scheduled to complete their three-game series Saturday at Young Memorial Field, with first pitch set for 2:00 pm CST.
