The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Mississippi Valley State
UAB Rallies For Season Opener Victory
2/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 7, 2008
ITTA BENA, Miss. -- The UAB softball team won its season opener, scoring five runs in the sixth inning to rally for a 5-2 victory over Mississippi Valley State on Thursday.
The win extended the Blazers' streak to seven consecutive opening day victories that dates back to 2002. It also improved the Blazers' record to 6-1 when opening the season on the road.
"I'm proud of how our team fought back today," head coach Marla Townsend said. "Today's win was a great way to start the season and road trip. I really believe this is a special group of players who have what it takes to make this a special year for our program."
The Blazers' (1-0) rally began with a heads-up play from Kayla Orr who singled and advanced to third during a run down. Orr would score on a two-out infield fielding error, which began the Blazers' surge. Cameron Skates' double to the left field alley plated Jennifer Nelson from first to give the Blazers the 2-1 lead. Amanda Allen followed up with a double scoring one run and Holly Krzan added the final Blazer runs of the inning with a bases loaded single.
Nelson (1-0) earned the victory for the Blazers. She gave up one run on six hits over seven innings. Nelson also provided the slow ground ball in the sixth that was misplayed and led to the Blazers' rally.
The Devilettes (0-1) took the lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
UAB heads to Texarkana, Texas over the weekend to play in the Century Bank Classic. The Blazers will play Arkansas in a doubleheader that begins at 12 p.m. on Friday.
