The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
MURRAY STATE
Blazers Rally To Defeat Murray State 15-8
2/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - First baseman Daniel Hill and left fielder Matt Womble each had a home run and combined for eight RBI in helping lead UAB (2-0) to a 15-8 come-from-behind win over Murray State (0-1) in the Blazers' home opener at Young Memorial Field.
Hill went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and two runs scored while Womble posted identical numbers, going 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and two runs scored.
Murray State struck first in the top of the first inning when first baseman Geoff Kirksey homered to right field. The Thoroughbreds led 1-0.
Murray State added two runs in the top of the second inning. Designated hitter Ike Bridwell's sacrifice fly to center field allowed catcher Dustin Hennigar to score the Thoroughbreds' first run of the inning. Left fielder J.D. Merritt then doubled to right field, scoring third baseman James Akin.
UAB answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Catcher Ben McCullars singled to right field, allowing right fielder Cole Helms to score the Blazers' first run of the inning. Later in the inning, center fielder Sam Clark's sacrifice fly to center field scored Womble.
The Blazers took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Designated hitter Nathan McCorkle reached first on a fielder's choice, allowing shortstop Dan Stucky to score UAB's first run of the inning. Hill later scored the go-ahead run on a fielding error by Thoroughbred shortstop Alex Stewart.
Murray State tied the score in the top of the sixth inning on a solo home run to right field by Hennigar.
UAB answered with six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Stucky singled to center field, allowing Clark to score the Blazers' first run of the inning. Hill then hit a three-run homer to right field. Later in the inning, Womble's sacrifice fly to right field scored McCorkle. McCullars followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Helms. UAB led 10-4.
Murray State got two runs in the top of the seventh inning on second baseman Derrick Newton's two-run homer to right field.
The Blazers posted five runs in the bottom of the seventh. Hill's sacrifice fly to left field brought in Clark for UAB's first run of the inning. McCorkle later singled to right center, allowing Stucky to score his third run of the game. Later in the inning, Womble hit a three-run homer to right center field to put UAB up 15-6.
Murray State's final two runs came in the top of the eighth inning. Kirksey brought the Thoroughbred's first run of the inning in on a sacrifice fly to left field that scored right fielder Clint Griggs. Center fielder Tyler Pittman was able to score later in the inning on a fielding error by Blazer second baseman Drew Goneke.
Ryan Huffman (1-0) picked up the win for UAB after coming on in relief of Blazer starter Griffin Zarbough in the top of the sixth inning. Huffman worked two innings and gave up three runs on six hits, walking one and striking out three. Zarbough pitched five innings and gave up three runs on four hits, walked four and tied a UAB career high with five strikeouts. Eric Roberts worked the final two innings and gave up two runs, only one of which was earned, on one hit, walked one and struck out one.
"With the wind blowing out tonight, any mistake would cost you," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "We gave up some and so did they. I thought after Griffin (Zarbough) settled down, he got command of the game. He pitched three shut-out innings after having some trouble early. Ryan Huffman pitched really well, but every time he made a mistake, they hit one out. We were pleased with our offense. We had some big offensive innings and blew it open, so that was important."
Jon Ross Shelton (0-1) took the loss for Murray State after coming on in relief of Thoroughbred starter Craig Kraus. Shelton worked an inning and gave up six runs, five of which were earned, on four hits, walked two and struck out two. Kraus pitched four innings and allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits and walked one.
UAB and Murray State will meet in game two of the three-game set Saturday at 2 p.m.
