The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Houston
Blazers Bats Silent As Houston Completes Series Sweep
4/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 1, 2007
HOUSTON --- UAB mustered just three hits as the Houston Cougars cruised to a 6-0 win to complete the series sweep against the Blazers at Cougar Softball Stadium. The Blazers (24-19, 5-6) dropped their second C-USA series of the season, falling to fifth in the conference standings.
The Cougars (30-11, 11-1), who currently sit atop the Conference USA standings, belted two homeruns en route to their 12th shutout of the season.
Although the Cougars roughed up pitcher Jennifer Nelson (16-8) for six earned runs, she picked up her 200th strikeout of the season. She became the second C-USA pitcher to reach the mark this year, behind her Cougar counterpart, junior Angel Shamblin.
Shamblin (19-5) finished the day with 11 strikeouts for her seventh shutout of the season.
Centerfielder Lindsay Stanley and Second baseman Leigh Walker each had one of the Blazers' three hits, extending both of their hitting streaks to eight games.
Houston first baseman Amanda Grote put the first runs on the board in the bottom of the second, blasting a grand slam for her first career homerun to give the Cougars a 4-0 lead.
The Cougars made it back-to-back innings with a long ball when second baseman Haley Valis went deep in the third, a two-run shot to make it 6-0.
UAB's only multi-hit inning came in the fifth, when Walker slapped a single and two batters later first baseman Amanda Antonovich smacked a double to put runners at second and third. It was the only time the Blazers advanced a runner past first base and they failed to capitalize on the opportunity as both runners were stranded.
The Blazers were shutout for the seventh time this season and third time in conference play.
UAB continues its tough stretch of conference play when the Blazers return home next weekend to host the East Carolina Pirates. ECU is currently second in the C-USA standings. The two teams will meet for a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 5:00 p.m. and finish the series on Saturday at noon at George Ward Park.
