The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
MARSHALL
Blazers Top Marshall 7-1
2/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 27, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB used seven runs on 10 hits to claim a 7-1 victory over Marshall in baseball action Friday evening at Young Memorial Field. UAB (6-0) remained perfect on the season and extended its winning streak to nine games, dating back to last season. The Blazers have also won nine in a row at home during that stretch.
UAB struck first in the bottom of the second inning when right fielder Cole Helms, who extended his hitting streak to six games, doubled to left field, scoring catcher Eugene Rodriguez. Third baseman Zac Ward later singled through the left side, scoring Helms. The Blazers led 2-0.
Marshall (1-6) answered with a run in the top of the third inning when center fielder Chris Monaco singled to right field, scoring shortstop Mike Koitsopoulos.
The Blazers got a run in the bottom of the third when left fielder Matt Womble laid down a bunt that brought in second baseman Josh Miljavac. UAB led 3-1.
UAB added two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Miljavac, who owns the team's longest hitting streak at nine games, singled through the right side, allowing Ward to score the Blazers' first run of the inning. Center fielder Sam Clark later scored on a wild pitch by Thundering Herd reliever Troy Wilson. UAB led 5-1.
The Blazers got out to a 7-1 advantage in the bottom of the fifth inning. Rodriguez doubled to right center field, allowing Womble to score the Blazers' first run of the inning. Helms followed with a double to left center field, scoring Rodriguez.
Blazer starter Griffin Zarbough (1-0) picked up the first win of his UAB career, pitching five and one-third innings and allowing only one run on two hits. He walked six and tied a UAB career high with five strikeouts. Ryan Huffman came on in relief of Zarbough in the sixth inning and worked two and two-thirds innings without allowing a hit. Huffman recorded three strikeouts. Matt Fowles pitched the final inning for the Blazers and retired the Thundering Herd in order, recording one strikeout.
"We played very solid," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "I thought Griffin (Zarbough) threw really well. He really had his breaking ball working. Ryan (Huffman) came on and did a good job. We came up with some really big hits. It was a tough night to play because it was so cold. I thought we had a good approach to the night."
Thundering Herd starter Scott Henning (0-3) took the loss for Marshall after pitching three and one-third innings and allowing five runs on six hits. Henning had three walks and four strikeouts.
UAB and Marshall will play game two of the three-game set Saturday at noon. Saturday's game, which was originally scheduled for 2 p.m., has been tabbed "Fan Appreciation Day." All fans will receive free admission to the contest.
