The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Arkansas
Blazers Split Doubleheader With Arkansas
2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 8, 2008
TEXARKANA, Ark. ----- The UAB softball team split a doubleheader here Friday against the University of Arkansas at the Century Bank Classic.
The Blazers (2-1) won the second game of the doubleheader, 4-2, after falling in extra innings in game one to the Lady Razorbacks, 6-5. Kayla Harris (1-0) earned the victory for the Blazers in the game two, as she threw a complete-game five hitter. She struck out nine batters, and came up with three big strikeouts to end the game. Andrea Rogers had a single and double, while driving in three runs in the Blazers' victory. After giving up the
UAB scored two runs in the bottom of the first, to take a 2-1 lead in the second game. Leigh Walker and Holly Krzan would reach base and would score on Rogers' single in the first inning. The Blazers would add two more runs in the second inning on a Krzan sacrifice fly and a double by Rogers.
With the Blazers leading 4-2 in the top of the seventh inning, Arkansas had runners at first and second with no outs, and the winning run at the place. Harris, who allowed only one hit before the start of the inning, struck out the final three batters to end the threat and capture the win for UAB.
"I wasn't every worried in the second game," Townsend said. "It was in the back of my mind for sure, but Kayla (Harris) was pitching a great game. She wasn't being hit hard all game and those two runners only got on with soft base hits. Harris, along with Andrea (Rogers), did a great job of not giving their hitters anything to take advantage of the entire game."
In the first game of the doubleheader the Blazers jumped out to a 4-0 lead, thanks to an error-filed second inning that allowed three runs to score for UAB. Caley Walden started the inning with a bunt single and would steal second, allowing her to score on a Krzan double down the left field line. The Razorbacks first error allowed Krzan to reach third and score on a Cameron Skates single. Rogers, who walked earlier in the inning, scored when the Arkansas catcher wasn't able to squeze a throw at home plate for a force out.
Arkansas jumped back into the game by way of the long ball, and erased an early deficit forcing extra innings. The Lady Razorbacks made the score 4-2 in the bottom half of the fifth inning on a two-run home run Samantha Buckner and tied it up in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run shot by Miranda Dixon.
Laura Callaway's soft liner to center in the eighth inning gave the Blazers a one-run lead. Arkansas would score the tying run on a double to deep center that centerfielder Caley Walden nearly tracked down as she slammed into the wall. Two back-to-back singles would plate the winning run for Arkansas.
Nelson (1-1) took the loss for the Blazers.
"For us to be a successful team we have to take advantage when other teams give us chances," Townsend said. "Arkansas earned that first win because we didn't take those chances and add on to them. And also any time that you give up eight walks you allow the other team to stay in the game."
The Blazers take on host school Centenary Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m.
