The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Houston
UAB Falls Twice To Conference Foe Houston
4/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 1, 2007
Box Score | Box Score (Game Two)
HOUSTON --- Mistakes proved costly for UAB in game one of a doubleheader against the Houston Cougars, as the Blazers dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker in nine innings at the Cougar Softball Complex. Houston completed the doubleheader sweep with an 8-0 run-rule win in game two.
After game one started three hours later than scheduled due to inclement weather, it was a long, messy affair, featuring two more rain delays and nine combined errors. Both teams also struggled to capitalize on the base-paths, as each left 11 runners on base.
The Cougars were able to put a run across in the first inning on a couple of Blazer errors to take an early 1-0 lead.
UAB battled back in the fourth with a pair of runs to go up 2-1. Second baseman Leigh Walker smacked a double to lead off the inning. Two batters later, designated player Kayla Harris belted her second homerun of the year over the centerfield wall to give the Blazers a one-run edge.
Houston responded with the game-tying run in the sixth after a hit batter with the bases loaded forced one run home.
The Cougars threatened to walk off with the win in the seventh on back-to-back basehits and an error, but centerfielder Lindsay Stanley's dead-on throw to the plate cut the runner down, sending the game to extra innings.
Although UAB loaded the bases in the top of the eighth, the Blazers failed to take advantage of the opportunity to recapture the lead.
It was another costly mistake in the bottom of the ninth that was the final dagger for the Blazers. Houston slapped back-to-back singles and the lead runner scored when the ball got away from UAB's defense on an attempted putout at second base.
Despite picking up the loss, Jennifer Nelson (16-7) gave up just one earned run on nine hits while striking out five.
It marked the fourth extra-inning loss for the Blazers this season, snapping UAB's five-game winning streak.
Houston continued to swing the bats in game two, taking a 1-0 lead in the first on a walk and an RBI-single.
The Cougars added two more in the third as a grounder to short and sacrifice fly each plated a run.
Houston busted the game open in the fifth, run-ruling UAB with four more runs when two different Cougars knocked two-RBI homeruns for the final 8-0 win.
The Blazers never got their bats going in the second game, mustering only three hits.
In the circle, Harris (6-8) was roughed up for all eight runs while striking out four.
The back-to-back losses mark the second time this season that a conference opponent has swept a doubleheader against the Blazers.
UAB will try to avoid the series sweep on Sunday as they take on Houston in game three. The final game of the series will begin at noon and CSTV will have live coverage.
