The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
USF*
USF Tops UAB, 8-3
5/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 16, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of South Florida posted three runs in the first inning and three runs in the third en route to an 8-3 victory over UAB in Conference USA baseball action Sunday afternoon at Young Memorial Field.
USF (31-21, 12-14 C-USA) took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Right fielder Bryan Hierlmeier doubled to center field, allowing second baseman Mike Macaluso to score the Bulls' first run of the inning. Catcher Devin Ivany followed with a sacrifice fly to left field that scored shortstop Myron Leslie. Third baseman Jeff Baisley then singled to center field, bringing in Hierlmeier.
The Bulls added a run in the top of the second inning on a home run to left center field by Macaluso.
USF increased its advantage to 7-0 in the top of the third inning. First baseman Brian Baisley's sacrifice fly to center field allowed left fielder Travis Brown to score the Bulls' first run of the inning. Later in the inning, Leslie singled to right field, scoring designated hitter Kris Howell. Center fielder Jeremy Bellotti later scored on a wild pitch by Blazer reliever Ryan Huffman.
The Bulls pushed across another run in the top of the fifth inning when Bellotti singled through the right side, scoring Brian Baisley. USF led 8-0.
UAB (25-26, 11-15 C-USA) answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. With the bases loaded, third baseman Zac Ward reached first on a fielding error by Jeff Baisley, allowing right fielder Cole Helms and left fielder Jeremy Moran to score.
The Blazers cut the deficit to five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning when designated hitter Nathan McCorkle homered to left center field.
Blazer starter Jacob Legg (3-3) took the loss for UAB after pitching one and a third innings and allowing four runs on six hits.
Eric Roberts pitched the final six innings for the Blazers and allowed one run on three hits. He struck out a UAB career-high 10 batters without issuing a walk.
USF starter Kyle Schmidt (8-4) picked up the win for the Bulls after working six innings and allowing two runs, only one of which was earned, on five hits. He walked one and struck out five.
Chase Lirette pitched the final three innings for USF and allowed one run on five hits and struck out two to record his second save of the season.
"We had opportunities early in the game to chip away at the lead and didn't do it," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "I thought their starter (Kyle Schmidt) did a good job of making some pitches early to get them out of a jam."
UAB next plays at cross-town foe Samford Tuesday at 6 p.m.
