The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
OAKLAND
Baseball Completes Sweep Of Oakland Saturday
3/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 2, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB broke open the game with 10 runs in the bottom of the eighth for its third straight comeback victory over Oakland (Mich.) University as the Blazers completed a sweep of a three-games series vs. the Golden Grizzlies with a 15-9 win Saturday at Young Memorial Field.
UAB first baseman Matt Womble had five RBI in the game and did not waste any time, driving in the Blazers' first run in the bottom of the first inning with a sacrifice fly that scored center fielder Chad House.? Left fielder Mitch Jones, who hit .545 in the three-games series with two home runs and seven RBI, also drove in a run in the first with a single up the middle that scored right fielder Kyle Leon.
Oakland made the score 2-1 in the top of the third as third baseman Ty Herriot led off with a home run off Blazer starter Ross Dobbins.
UAB (5-6) answered with three more runs in the bottom of the third as Womble led off with a walk and scored moments later on a wild pitch by Oakland starter Dominic Carmosino, Jones had his second RBI single of the game, and shortstop Mark Garner drove in a run with a fielder's choice.
The Golden Grizzlies (0-9) erupted for four runs in the top of the fourth inning. ?First baseman Peter Varon led off with a home run to right, and left fielder David Alexander, designated hitter Matt Gabrielli and catcher Tony Marulli hit back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases.? Herriot then drew a walk from Dobbins to score Alexander, and Marulli and Gabrielli scored on an error by UAB second baseman J.B. Fesmire, tying the game at 5-5.
Oakland took a 6-5 lead in the top of the fifth as right fielder Nick DiPonio singled with one out, moved to second after Varon was hit by Dobbins, and scored on an RBI single up the middle by Alexander.
There was no more scoring until the top of the eighth, when Oakland scored two unearned runs, as Tony Marulli singled and later scored on an error by UAB's Fesmire, and his brother, Bryan Marulli scored moments later from third on a passed ball by Blazer catcher Brad Bamberg.
Trailing 8-5 entering the bottom of the eighth, UAB drew on the strength of the experience of two comeback wins over the Golden Grizzlies on Friday.? 15 UAB batters went to the plate in the inning, with 10 runs coming in on three hits and three Oakland errors.? Among the highlights was a two-RBI double by Womble and an RBI single by House.
Oakland scored once in the top of the ninth as Alexander drove home right fielder Spencer Hynes with a single off UAB closer Cody Cillo.
UAB reliever Tony Falls (1-0) got the victory, working one inning (the eighth), allowing two runs - both unearned - on one hit, with one walk and one strikeout.? Starter Dobbins worked seven complete innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on 11 hits, with two walks and nine strikeouts.
Oakland reliever Gordon Hosbien (0-1) got the loss, allowing seven runs (one earned) on two hits, with two walks and no strikeouts.
UAB returns to action Tuesday (Mar. 5), hosting Auburn at Young Memorial Field at 6:00 pm CST.
