The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
SAINT LOUIS*
Blazers Shut Out Saint Louis 8-0
5/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 15, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB used eight runs on 15 hits to claim an 8-0 victory over Saint Louis (18-30, 6-22 C-USA) in Conference USA baseball action Thursday evening at Young Memorial Field.
Lucas Trotter (5-3) tossed the complete-game three-hit shutout for the Blazers, recording a career-high 13 strikeouts and walking two.
Left fielder Mitch Jones paced the Blazers offensively, going 4-for-5 with two RBI, a double, a triple, a run scored and a stolen base. In addition, center fielder Sam Clark was 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
"We got a great performance out of Lucas (Trotter)," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "He was really sharp. He threw the ball really well. We hit the ball really well I thought at times when we needed to hit it and we ran the bases well. It was a complete game. This is one of those games where if you want to get in the tournament and have a winning season this is what you have to do."
UAB took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on Clark's two-run homer to right field.
The Blazers added two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Clark singled to left field, allowing catcher Eugene Rodriguez to score the Blazers' first run of the inning. Jones followed with a single down the left field line that scored shortstop Josh Miljavac.
UAB got out to an 8-0 advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jones reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Rodriguez to score the Blazers' first run of the inning. Jones later scored on a fielding error by Saint Louis first baseman Ryan Murphy. UAB's final two runs of the inning came on a two-run homer to center field by right fielder Kyle Leon.
Billiken starter Eric Rohr (2-2) took the loss after working five and one-third innings and allowing five runs on 12 hits. He struck out four without issuing a walk. Jake Baumgartner pitched two and two-thirds innings in relief of Rohr and gave up three runs on three hits. He walked two and struck out two.
UAB and Saint Louis will meet in the second game of the series Friday at 7 p.m. at Young Memorial Field. The Blazers must win the final two games of the series to have a chance at clinching a berth in the C-USA Tournament.
