The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Jacksonville State
UAB Wins Pitching Duel in Home Opener
2/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 20, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- It took the UAB softball team extra innings, but the Blazers pulled off a 2-1 win over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in an exciting finish. UAB pitcher Jennifer Nelson was dominant through nine innings, allowing just four hits and striking out 15 batters. The two teams started the second game of the doubleheader, but it was canceled as the rains picked up.
The game was a pitcher's duel, as Jacksonville State pitcher Karla Pittman combined with Nelson to give up no earned runs. Pittman struck out 11 batters and Nelson had a no-hitter through 3 2/3 innings.
With the game scoreless at the end of seven, the umpires instituted the international tiebreaker rule, placing a runner at second base to lead off each inning. Through the first eight innings, neither team was able to get a base-runner past second base.
The Gamecocks (5-2) broke the tie in the top of the ninth with a sacrifice bunt and an RBI-single, giving them a 1-0 edge.
With their backs against the wall, the Blazers battled back in the bottom half of the inning. Kayla Harris led off the inning the inning with a single, advancing Leigh Walker to third. Ashley Thomas came in to pinch run for Harris and stole second to put the winning run in scoring position. Lindsay Stanley delivered a bunt and beat out the throw to first, loading the bases for Holly Krzan. Krzan slapped a grounder to Gamecock shortstop Jackie Jarman, but Jarman's throw home got past the catcher, allowing Walker and Thomas to cross the plate for a 2-1 Blazer victory.
Nelson's 15 strikeouts in a single game is the second most in her career and in UAB history, just one short of her record 16 strikeouts against Tulsa in 2006. Nelson (4-2) also continued extended her hitting streak to nine games.
The win improves UAB's record to 5-5 as the Blazers head to Tampa, Fla., on Friday. UAB will play in the "The Game" Tournament hosted by the University of South Florida beginning on Friday. The Blazers will face Eastern Michigan and Drake on Friday before playing the hosting USF Bulls on Saturday. Championship games for the tournament will be played on Saturday and Sunday.
