The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
at Tulane*
Blazers Blasted By No. 3 Tulane, 11-3
4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 1, 2005
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Tulane starting pitcher Micah Owings struck out a career-high 11 batters and earned his third win of the season as the third-ranked Green Wave handled UAB, 11-3, in the series opener on Friday evening at Turchin Stadium. Owings allowed just two runs on four hits in seven innings, retiring ten batters in a row at one point. Tulane is now 23-5 overall and 5-2 in Conference USA while the Blazers fall to 18-8, 4-3 in C-USA games.
The Blazers got on the board first with a run in the top of the first inning. Clint Toomey slapped the first pitch of the game from Green Wave starting pitcher Micah Owings into the hole on the left side of the infield and beat Tommy Manzella's throw to first base. Owings recorded the next two outs, but an errant pickoff attempt allowed Toomey to motor down to second base. Toomey made the turn at second and headed to third when Tulane first baseman Cat Everett's throw got away from Brad Emaus at third base, allowing Toomey to come home with the game's first run.
Tulane wasted no time taking a lead in the bottom of the first. UAB starter Randy Mills lasted just one-third of an inning for the second straight outing, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks. Tulane's big blow came from Mark Hamilton who lined a bases loaded, three-run double down the right field to give the Green Wave a 4-1 advantage.
The Green Wave put four more runs on the board in the bottom of the third. Matt Barket drew a one-out walk, then five consecutive Tulane singles put UAB in an 8-1 hole.
Pinch hitter Billy Lichtner recorded an RBI groundout for UAB in the top of the seventh, scoring Nathan McCorkle who reached on his second hit of the game leading off the inning.
The Blazers and Green Wave continue their series with game two beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Turchin Stadium.
