The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
at Auburn
Blazers Fall To No. 14 Auburn 5-2
4/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 6, 2004
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn got five runs on nine hits to claim a 5-2 victory over UAB in baseball action Tuesday evening at Plainsman Park on the Auburn University campus.
The 14th-ranked Tigers struck first in the top of the third inning. Designated hitter Josh Bell singled to left field, allowing left fielder Sean Gamble to score the Auburn's first run of the inning. Second baseman Tug Hulett then grounded into a double play, allowing shortstop Chuck Jeroloman to score from third base. Auburn's final run of the inning came when the Blazers put out catcher Josh Sullivan, who was attempting to steal second, allowing center fielder Clete Thomas to score from third base. The Tigers led 3-0.
UAB (14-14) answered with a run in the top of the fourth inning when catcher Eugene Rodriguez grounded out to second base, allowing designated hitter Nathan McCorkle to score from third.
The Tigers added a run in the bottom of the fourth on Gamble's sacrifice fly to left field that scored first baseman Derek Sain.
Auburn (22-9) took a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when third baseman Ben Maitland doubled to left field, scoring Sain.
UAB added a run in the top of the eighth inning when first baseman Daniel Hill grounded into a double play, allowing center fielder Sam Clark to score from third base.
Blazer starter Grant Addison (0-1) took the loss for UAB after working five innings and allowing five runs on eight hits. He walked five and struck out one.
"I thought they (Auburn) did a great job of getting the lead-off man out every inning," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "In crunch situations, we are going to have to make some plays and come up with some big hits and we weren't able to do that tonight."
Cory Dueitt (4-3) picked up the win for Auburn after coming on in relief of Tiger starter Chris Dennis in the top of the fifth inning. Dueitt pitched three shut-out innings, allowing only one hit. He walked one and struck out two. Dennis worked four innings and gave up one run on five hits and struck out three.
UAB next travels to Memphis for a three-game Conference USA series against the Tigers. Friday, the teams meet at 7 p.m., Saturday's game begins at 2 p.m. and Sunday's first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
