The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
TOLEDO
Blazers Top Toledo 11-6
3/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 5, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB posted 11 runs off 16 hits to claim an 11-6 victory over Toledo in baseball action Friday evening at Young Memorial Field.
Toledo (0-4) struck first in the top of the first inning when first baseman Doug Yoder singled through the left side, scoring center fielder Sean Dobson.
UAB (8-2) tied the score in the bottom of the third inning when first baseman Daniel Hill singled through the right side, scoring center fielder Sam Clark.
Toledo took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning when second baseman Matt Ruth reached on a fielder's choice, allowing left fielder Shawn Hurst to score from third base.
The Blazers took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning on a three-run homer to right center field by left fielder Matt Womble.
The Rockets gained a 5-4 advantage in the top of the sixth inning. Matt Ruth singled to right field, allowing catcher Dan Ruth to score the Rockets' first run of the inning. Designated hitter Aaron Rouser followed with a single to right field that scored right fielder Jarrod Resendez and third baseman Dan Stong.
UAB answered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Blazers' first run came on second baseman Josh Miljavac's sacrifice fly that scored third baseman Zac Ward. Cole Helms, who was pinch hitting for right fielder J.R. Bond, followed with a single to right field that brought in Clark. Helms then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Rocket catcher Dan Ruth. Hill then reached first on a fielding error by Rocket shortstop Chris Arvay, allowing Helms to score. UAB led 7-5.
The Blazers added three more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Clark started the scoring for the Blazers on his two-run homer to right center field. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Rocket reliever Nick Szczur walked designated hitter Jeremy Moran, allowing Miljavac to score. UAB led 10-5.
Toledo's final run came in the top of the eighth inning when Resendez homered to center field.
The Blazers added a run in the bottom of the eighth when Miljavac doubled to right field, scoring center fielder Levi Patmon.
Blazer reliever Ryan Huffman (2-0) picked up the win for UAB after working one and two-thirds innings. He allowed one run on two hits, walked one and struck out three. Eric Roberts pitched the final two innings for the Blazers and picked up his second save of the season. Roberts allowed only one hit, walked one and struck out a UAB career-high four batters.
Blazer starter Griffin Zarbough worked five and one-third innings and allowed four runs on four hits, walked two and struck out a UAB career-high nine batters.
"Their guy (J.R. Duffey) threw a lot of sinker balls and I think our approach was outstanding," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "We had 12 hits off of him, mostly singles to the right side, and that's the type of approach you have to have against a guy like him. Our approach for our hitters was really, really good. We hit singles to right field and that's the only approach you can have. I was real pleased with our approach offensively. Eric (Roberts) came in and got us out of a jam in the eighth and closes out the ninth. That's huge to have a guy to do that. I thought Griffin Zarbough threw well. His velocity was real good. He was close to dominating this game."
Rocket starter J.R. Duffey (0-2) took the loss for Toledo after working six innings and allowing seven runs, six of which were earned, on 12 hits. He walked three and struck out two.
UAB and Toledo will meet in the second game of the three-game set Saturday at 2 p.m. The game has been designated as "Fan Appreciation Day." All fans will receive free admission to the contest.
