The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
JACKSONVILLE STATE
Blazers Rally To Defeat Jacksonville State 8-6
3/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 16, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Third baseman Zac Ward went 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in helping lead UAB to an 8-6 victory over Jacksonville State in baseball action Tuesday evening at Young Memorial Field.
Jacksonville State (6-10) carried a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, but UAB (12-5) rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth and added an insurance run in the eighth to seal the victory.
Adam Price (2-1) picked up the win for UAB after coming on in relief of Blazer starter Grant Addison in the top of the sixth inning. Price worked the final four innings and allowed one run, which was unearned, on one hit, walked two and struck out three. Addison allowed five runs on eight hits, walked one and tied a UAB career high with four strikeouts.
Jon Clements (1-1) took the loss for Jacksonville State after coming on in relief of Gamecock starter Bobby Wynns. Clements pitched three innings and gave up four runs, two of which were earned, on five hits, walked one and struck out five. Wynns worked two innings and allowed three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits. He struck out one and did not issue a walk.
The Gamecocks struck first in the top of the second inning on third baseman Jake Ball's sacrifice fly to right field that scored right fielder Austin Stein.
UAB answered with three runs in the bottom of the second. The Blazers' first run came on right fielder Cole Helms' sacrifice fly that scored designated hitter Nathan McCorkle. Catcher Ben McCullars followed with a single up the middle that scored left fielder Matt Womble. Ward then singled up the middle, scoring McCullars.
Jacksonville State took a 4-3 lead in the top of the third inning on a three-run homer to right field by designated hitter Robby Goodson.
The Blazers tied the score in the bottom of the third inning when Womble grounded out to shortstop, allowing shortstop Dan Stucky to score from third base.
The Gamecocks regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning when center fielder Jason Horn grounded out to shortstop, allowing shortstop Bret Pettus to score from third base.
UAB tied the score in the bottom of the fifth inning when first baseman Daniel Hill doubled to right field, allowing Stucky to score his second run of the game.
Jacksonville State answered with a run in the top of the sixth inning when left fielder Winston Pearson singled to left field, scoring Ball.
UAB took a 7-6 advantage in the bottom of the sixth. Second baseman Josh Miljavac grounded out to shortstop, allowing McCullars to score the Blazers' first run of the inning. Hill later singled through the right side, scoring Ward.
The Blazers final run came when Stucky singled to center field, bringing in Ward.
"I thought Grant (Addison) pitched well," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "He just made a few mistakes. I was real pleased with his effort. Adam (Price) came in and did a great job. Zac Ward, Daniel Hill and Dan Stucky all had big hits tonight. We had guys contribute throughout the lineup. Overall, I'm real pleased with the way our guys responded. We got down, came back and put a three spot up. We got down again and just kept fighting."
UAB begins Conference USA play over the weekend as the team will host Louisville (7-7) in a three-game series at Young Memorial Field. Friday, the teams square off at 7 p.m., Saturday's game begins at 2 p.m. and Sunday's first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
All three games of the UAB-Louisville series will be broadcast via the world wide web on the Blazers' official athletics website, www.uabsports.com.
For those who are not Yahoo! subscribers, a monthly subscription can be purchased for $4.95 per month and a season-long subscription may be purchased for $14.95. To listen to the broadcast, click on either "UAB Audio Broadcasts" or "Multimedia" from the UAB athletics website's main page and follow the links.
