The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Connecticut
Baseball Defeats UCONN Sunday
3/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 10, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning with the big blow coming on a three-run triple by designated hitter Eric Lyon as the Blazers defeated Connecticut 11-9 Sunday afternoon at Young Memorial Field.
UAB (6-9) trailed 9-7 with two out in the bottom of the eighth. Shortstop Mark Garner started the rally with a single to left off Connecticut reliever Josh MacDonald. MacDonald then issued consecutive walks to center fielder Chad House, second baseman Seth Rollin and first baseman Matt Womble, bringing in Garner with the Blazers' eighth run.
After MacDonald was replaced by left-hander Peter Soteropoulos, the left-handed batting Lyon stepped in and laced a hit into the right field corner, clearing the bases and giving UAB an 11-9 lead.
Reliever Cody Cillo (1-0), who had worked the final out of the eighth inning, retired this Huskies in order in the top of the ninth for his first victory of the season. Cillo faced four batters in one and 1/3 innings, allowing no hits and striking out two.
The eighth-inning rally was actually the second of the day for the Blazers (6-9).
After taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two RBI single by right fielder Mitch Jones, UAB found itself trailing after Connecticut scored three runs in the top of the third on RBI singles by second baseman Brett Burnham and Soteropoulos, and a sacrifice fly by third baseman Dan Trubia.
The Huskies (3-5) stretched their advantage to 6-2 in the fourth inning as first baseman Jon Gorrie had an RBI single, and center fielder Cy Hess drove in a run with a fielder's choice and later scored on an error by UAB catcher Justin Miller.
UAB battled back to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring five runs on six hits, including consecutive RBI singles by third baseman Matt Gaulden, Jones (for his third RBI of the day), left fielder Jeremy Moran, and Miller. Moran later scored from third on a wild pitch by MacDonald.
The Blazers' lead was short-lived, however, as Hess led off the seventh with a long home run to left center field, tying the game at 7-7.
Connecticut took the lead again in the top of the eighth as shortstop Mike Mocerino singled and scored on a throwing error by UAB pitcher Evan Van Arsdale, and Soteropoulos drove in Hess with an RBI single.
Connecticut reliever MacDonald (0-1) was the losing pitcher, allowing four runs on four hits in two and 1/3 innings, with three walks and two strikeouts. He was responsible for the three baserunners who scored on Lyon's eighth-inning triple.
UAB starter Ross Dobbins went six complete innings, allowing seven runs on 10 hits, with five walks and five strikeouts.
