The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
at Birmingham Southern
Baseball Team Falls To Birmingham-Southern
4/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 29, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ------ Birmingham Southern (30-15) pushed across two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and went on to a 6-4 win over UAB in baseball action Tuesday evening at Scrushy-Striplin Field.
The loss was the 16th in a row for the Blazers.
Second baseman Jonathan Sanford singled in third baseman Jared Walker for the Panthers first run of the fifth inning. Sanford later scored on center fielder Matt Bogue's sacrifice fly to left field.
Panther starter Wes Letson (6-2) picked up the win after working seven innings and giving up four runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits. He walked three and struck out eight. Panther reliever Tyler Sullivan came on and worked a third of the ninth inning to record his fourth save of the season.
UAB took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when first baseman Daniel Hill singled to right field, bringing in second baseman Drew Goneke.
Birmingham-Southern tied the score in the bottom of the first on first baseman Connor Robertson's single up the middle that scored left fielder Adam Pease.
The Blazers gained a 4-1 advantage in the top of the second inning. Center fielder Sam Clark singled to center field, scoring third baseman Drew Connell and catcher Eugene Rodriguez for UAB's first two runs of the inning. Later in the inning, shortstop Josh Miljavac scored on Goneke's sacrifice fly to left field.
The Panthers answered with a run in the bottom of the second on Pease's single to right field that brought in Walker.
Birmingham-Southern cut the deficit to a run in the bottom of the third inning on right fielder Michael Cline's home run to right field.
The Panthers tied the score in the bottom of the fourth inning when Robertson singled up the middle, scoring Bogue.
Blazer reliever Kevin Brannon (0-3) took the loss after working an inning and two thirds. He allowed two runs on three hits. Blazer starter Lucas Trotter pitched two innings and gave up two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out one. Griffin Zarbough, Jeff Brown and Cody Cillo also saw action out of the Blazer bullpen.
"We have to put this game behind us," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "April has been difficult for us, but it is over and we have to get ready to play Charlotte this weekend. That is a huge series for us. Our attention is turned towards conference play."
Ronny Woods worked an inning and two-thirds in relief of Letson. He walked two and struck out one.
UAB (21-22, 6-14 Conference USA) returns home to Young Memorial Field Friday to face Charlotte in a three-game Conference USA series. Friday's game will begin at 7 p.m. and Saturday the team's will meet in a doubleheader, beginning at 2 p.m.
