The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
CHARLOTTE*
Baseball Team Tops Charlotte 8-3
5/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 2, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Left fielder Mitch Jones went 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI and four runs scored in helping lift UAB (22-22, 7-14 Conference USA) to an 8-3 victory over Charlotte (18-22, 8-11 C-USA) in Conference USA baseball action Friday evening at Young Memorial Field.
After a two hour and 44 minute rain delay, the Blazers scored eight runs on 11 hits to end a 16-game losing streak. The two hour and 22 minute contest ended shortly after midnight Saturday morning.
Jones put UAB on top in the top of the first inning with a solo home run to right field. First baseman Daniel Hill later scored on a passed ball by Charlotte catcher Randall Poplin. UAB led 2-0.
UAB took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on a two-run homer to right field by right fielder Kyle Leon.
Jones put UAB up 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning with his second home run of the game, a solo shot to left field.
Charlotte scored two runs in the top of the sixth. Center fielder Thomas Bowker tripled to right field, bringing in second baseman George Sandel for the 49ers first run of the inning. Poplin followed with a double to left field that brought in Bowker.
UAB added a run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Hill singled to right field, allowing Jones to score his fourth run of the game. The Blazers led 6-2.
Charlotte answered with a run in the top of the eighth inning. After Blazer reliever Cody Cillo struck out Poplin, Sandel stole third and home.
The Blazers added two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Center fielder Sam Clark tripled to right field, bringing in Matt Womble for the first run of the inning. Jones followed, collecting his third RBI of the contest with a single to right field that scored Clark.
Blazer starter Lucas Trotter (4-3) picked up the win after working seven innings and allowing two runs on seven hits. Trotter struck out six batters and did not issue a walk. Cillo pitched two innings in relief of Trotter and gave up one run on two hits. He allowed no walks and struck out four.
"Getting an early lead was very important for us tonight," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "When Lucas (Trotter) gave us the three up and three down inning to start the game and Mitch (Jones) hitting the home run in the bottom of the first, I thought really set the tone for the night. I was just thankful for the win and to get out of the streak. I thought we played with a sense of urgency and we were focused. Sometimes that is hard when you have a game that is delayed. We were focused defensively and offensively as well. I was proud of Lucas. I thought he gave us seven strong innings. We will try and come back and play strong tomorrow"
Zachary Treadway (6-4) took the loss for Charlotte after starting the game and pitching seven innings. He allowed six runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits. He walked two and struck out seven.
UAB will host Charlotte in a doubleheader Saturday at Young Memorial Field, beginning at 2 p.m.
