The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Charlotte*
UAB Softball Team Drops Wild Game To Charlotte, 19-12
4/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 24, 2005
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The UAB softball team mounted an incredible comeback after facing a 13-run deficit on Sunday versus the Charlotte 49ers before falling 19-12 in the rubber game of its three-game Conference USA series at the Phillips Complex.
The Blazers (20-33, 6-12 C-USA) fell behind 1-0 after an inning and were on the other end of a 13-0 score after three innings before scoring six runs in consecutive innings to cut the 49ers once seemingly insurmountable lead to a mere run. Charlotte responded with a pair of two-out runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning and added four insurance runs in the sixth to extend their lead.
UAB dropped the final two games of the series after posting a 1-0 win in the series opener on Saturday. The Blazers lost by a score of 3-2 in game two of Saturday's doubleheader before falling short in Sunday's marathon. Charlotte improved to 17-34-1 overall and 4-17 in C-USA play.
The Blazers, who are now in a tie for sixth place in the conference standings with Southern Miss, will ironically face the Golden Eagles next weekend in Birmingham in a crucial series. The winner of that series will be in solid position to clinch the final berth in next month's C-USA Tournament. The top six teams in the standings qualify for the tournament.
UAB banged out 14 hits on Sunday, its second-highest total this season in a single game, but committed three critical errors which led to several key Charlotte runs. The 49ers collected 19 hits and also made six errors of their own. Starting pitcher Brittany Hodge (2-13) allowed 13 runs, 10 earned, and 14 hits in 5 1/3 innings of work. She walked a pair and struck out seven. Amanda Antonovich pitched 2/3 innings and allowed six unearned runs and five hits. She walked one and struck out one.
Kristen Bowen picked up the victory for Charlotte to up her record to 12-19. Bowen yielded 11 runs, five earned, and 11 hits in her four innings of work. She struck out five and walked a batter. Christy Murray relieved Bowen and recorded her first save of the season as she pitched the final three frames and allowed just one unearned run while scattering three hits. Murray walked none while striking out three.
Lindsay Stanley led the Blazer offense with four hits and two runs scored. She also had one RBI. Antonovich and Sara Christophel had two hits apiece and Dusti Roberts had two RBI. Charlotte first baseman Kaycie Jones went 4-5 at the plate with six RBI and three runs scored. Five 49ers had two hits each while six different Blazers drove in a run.
The Blazers and Golden Eagles will begin their series on Saturday with a doubleheader set for 1 p.m. at George Ward Park. Saturday is "Diamond Club Appreciation" while Sunday will be "Senior Day" as the UAB softball program will honor its five seniors prior to the 1 p.m. game.
