The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Ohio State
UAB Sweeps On Final Day To Win Magic City Classic
3/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 4, 2007
Box Score | Box Score (Game Two)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB pitchers Kayla Harris and Jennifer Nelson delivered outstanding performances to lead the Blazers to back-to-back wins over the Ohio State Buckeyes and Samford Bulldogs in the final games of the Magic City Classic at George Ward Park. Harris held the Buckeyes scoreless through six innings and hit a two-run homer, while Nelson also had a shutout through six and struck out eight.
Both Harris (3-3) and Nelson (10-3) earned all-tournament honors, along with shortstop Holly Krzan. Blazer centerfielder Lindsay Stanley was named the tournament MVP, as she led all batters with a .579 average and 11 hits through UAB's six games. Stanley's five runs scored and five stolen bases also topped all other players.
UAB's matchup against Ohio State was a pitcher's duel through the first five innings. Harris held the Buckeyes to three hits through five and her Buckeye counterpart Jamee Juarez matched her performance.
The Blazers were able to get a run across in the bottom of the fifth when Leigh Walker reached on an error by the shortstop and later scored on Krzan's RBI-single to give UAB a 1-0 edge.
Harris helped herself on the offensive side of the ball in the sixth, adding two more runs when she went yard for the first time this season.
Ohio State prevented the shutout with a two-out homerun in the top of the seventh, but it was the only run the Buckeyes would get as the Blazers took a 3-1 victory.
The Magic City Classic title came down to the final game of the tournament between Samford and UAB. UAB's second game of the day was like déjà vu, as the Blazers topped the Samford 3-1, with the Bulldogs' lone run coming on a homerun in the top of the seventh.
UAB jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning. Stanley led off with a single then stole second and later scored when Nicole Tumlin slapped a single. Harris drove in her third run of the day with a sacrifice fly to leftfield to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead.
Krzan scored the Blazers' third run in the sixth after being hit by a pitch and eventually crossing the plate on an error by the Samford second baseman.
Nelson's solid outing sealed the win and the tournament title for the Blazers, as she gave up six hits and allowed no walks.
Tournament Notes
Nelson led all tournament pitchers with 30 strikeouts and finished second overall with a 0.66 ERA and 2-1 record.
Harris went 2-0 in the tournament with a 1.24 ERA, third overall. She also tied for second with five hits and finished tied for third with four RBI.
Krzan hit .313 and tied for the most RBI with six in the tournament. She had five hits, including one homerun.
Magic City Classic All-Tournament Team
Melissa Taunton, Birmingham-Southern
Danielle Honore, Birmingham-Southern
Sam Marder, Ohio State
Kim Reeder, Ohio State
Shelley Stanley, Samford
Stephanie Royall, Samford
Jenna Dempski, Samford
Holly Krzan, UAB
Jennifer Nelson, UAB
Kayla Harris, UAB
Magic City Classic MVP: Lindsay Stanley, UAB
