Baseball Team Drops A Heartbreaker To No. 25 Tulane

Sunday, April 20

New Orleans, La.

1:00 PM

UAB

at Tulane*

Baseball Team Drops A Heartbreaker To No. 25 Tulane

4/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

NEW ORLEANS, La. - First baseman Michael Aubrey's three-run home run to right center field in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted No. 25 Tulane (29-12, 12-6 Conference USA) to a 6-5 victory over UAB (21-17, 6-11 C-USA) in Conference USA baseball action Sunday afternoon at Turchin Stadium. Aubrey's homer came with two outs in the inning and gave the Green Wave a three-game sweep of the series with the Blazers.

UAB struck first in the top of the second inning. With the bases loaded, Green Wave pitcher Cory Hahn walked shortstop Seth Rollin, bringing in third baseman Drew Connell for the Blazers first run of the inning. Center fielder Sam Clark then reached on a fielder's choice, scoring designated hitter Matt Womble from third base. UAB led 2-0.

Tulane tied the score in the bottom of the fifth inning. Catcher Brian Bormaster grounded out to third base, allowing designated hitter Aaron Feldman to score from third base for the Green Wave's first run of the inning. Center fielder Jonny Kaplan followed with a single up the middle that scored second baseman Tommy Manzella.

UAB regained the lead in the top of the sixth inning on a solo home run to right center field by first baseman Daniel Hill.

The Blazers took a 4-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning. Left fielder Mitch Jones reached first when third baseman Tim Guidry's throw sailed past Aubrey and allowed Clark to score from first base on the error.

Tulane cut the deficit to 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth when Feldman grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Aubrey to score from third base.

UAB went on top 5-3 in the top of the ninth inning when Hill hit his second home run of the day, a solo shot to right center field.

Green Wave reliever Matt Goebel (4-4) picked up the win for Tulane after working the ninth inning and only surrendering one hit. Green Wave starter Cory Hahn pitched two innings and allowed two runs on four hits and one walk. Brandon Gomes came on in relief of Hahn and worked six innings, giving up three runs, two of which were earned, on five hits. He did not allow a walk and struck out three.

Blazer reliever Kevin Brannon (0-2) took the loss for UAB after pitching one-and two thirds innings. Brannon allowed three runs on three hits and walked one. Blazer starter Scott Gibson worked four and two-thirds innings and gave up two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out two. Griffin Zarbough came on in relief of Gibson in the fifth inning and pitched two and one-third innings, giving up one run on one hit, three walks and one strikeout.

"Two-run leads are never safe against them (Tulane)," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "Griffin (Zarbough) did a good job for us today. He is coming around. It was just a tough loss."

UAB next travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to face No. 21 Alabama Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.