The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
East Carolina
Softball Takes Second Place At 2004 Cougar Classic
3/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 14, 2004
CHARLESTON, S.C. --- The UAB softball team earned second-place honors at the 2004 Cougar Classic on Sunday as the Blazers fell in dramatic fashion against the East Carolina Pirates, 4-3, in the championship game of the three-day competition here at Patriots Point.
UAB (13-13) finished the four-team event with a 3-3 overall record and defeated the Bowling Green Falcons, 1-0, earlier on Sunday to advance to the championship game of the tournament.
In the final game of the double-elimination tournament, East Carolina (23-6-1) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead as the Pirates put together a two-out rally in the top of the third inning.
With centerfielder Lacassa Hill on first base and two outs, East Carolina's Christine Sheridan doubled down the left-field line to score the speedy Hill from first. The Pirates' next batter Kate Manuse then drew a walk and catcher Krista Jessup ripped a double to left-center field to increase East Carolina's lead to 3-0.
UAB quickly rebounded with three runs of its own in the bottom of the third inning to even the score at 3-3.
Nicole Whitlock, the Blazers' freshman from Morris, started the rally with an infield single deep into the hole on the left side and then advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Carrie Christophel. With one out in the frame, UAB's Dusti Roberts singled and then junior Sara Christophel bombed a double deep into the right-center gap to score both Whitlock and Roberts.
With the Pirates' lead cut to 3-2 and Sara Christophel on third base, East Carolina's relief pitcher Keli Harrell threw a wild pitch that hit the front portion of the plate and bounded to the backstop. On the play, Christophel scored easily from third base to equalize the score at 3-3.
In the top of the seventh inning, East Carolina's Hill sliced a controversial double down the left-field line and advanced to third base on a fielding error by second baseman Beth Mullins. On the play, the grounder seemed to be well foul beyond third base, but the home plate official called it fair allowing Hill reach base for the second time of the game.
The Pirates' next batter Sheridan then singled up the middle to score East Carolina's Hill for the game-winning run. The Pirates finished the three-day event with a 6-1 overall record.
The UAB softball team will continue its 10-game road trip on Tuesday at 11 a.m. (CST), as the Blazers resume Conference USA play against the East Carolina Pirates in Greenville, N.C.
East Carolina (23-6-1) def. UAB (13-13), 4-3
ECU 003 000 1 - 4 9 0
UAB 003 000 0 - 3 4 1
Top Hitters: UAB, Dusti Roberts 1-2 R, Sara Christophel 1-3, 2 RBI, R, Nicole Whitlock 1-3 R; ECU, Christine Sheridan 2-3 2 RBI, R, Shirley Burleson 2-3, Krista Jessup 2-4 2 RBI.
WP: Brently Bridgeforth (8-3), LP: Tara Higashino (7-5).
