The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Centenary College
Blazers Shut Out Centenary in Doubleheader Sweep
2/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 9, 2008
TEXARKANA, Ark. ----- Jennifer Nelson and Kayla Harris each tossed complete games, while Harris and Holly Krzan each hit home runs in the UAB softball team's doubleheader sweep of Centenary College Saturday at the Century Bank Classic.
Nelson (2-1) earned the victory in the first game allowing just three hits, in the Blazers' 2-0 win in game one. Harris (2-0) recorded a shutout in game two for UAB, as she allowed just four hits, in the 3-0 victory.
"Jennifer and Kayla did a great of competing today," head coach Marla Townsend said. "They are really the tone setters for this ball club. I wish we could have scored more runs, but I'm happy with the two wins and looking forward to continuing how we're playing overall."
UAB scored one run in the second inning of game two that began with a ten-pitch base on balls to Cameron Skates. She would score on a bases load walk to Mary Kendall Butler later in the inning.
However, the Blazers were limited to that one run, as the Ladies turned an unconventional double play to end the inning. After a strikeout the Ladies picked off Laura Callaway returning to third base to end the Blazers' second.
UAB would push its lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning, on Harris RBI single that fell in between the second baseman and right fielder. The Blazers would score their third run as Leigh Walker, who walked to begin the inning, scored after a dropped third strike that would have ended the inning.
Centenary had the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position in the fifth inning, but Harris was able to get a pop fly to end the inning. The Ladies would have another chance to score in the sixth, but ended the inning with a fly out to left.
Nelson was untouchable early in the first game of the doubleheader, as she retired eight of the first nine Centenary hitters. Thru the first three innings, Nelson struck out five and allowed only one runner to reach base on an error.
Nelson rebounded from her previous start as she struck out nine and walked just two batters, a vast improvement over her previous start against Arkansas in which she allowed six runs and eight walks.
"We got to really see the true pitcher that Jennifer is today," Townsend said. "She pitched a great game, but did a better job at putting Friday's start behind her."
It was Harris' home run in the second inning of game that put the Blazers on top. The score would remain the same until the sixth inning, when Krzan tallied her first long ball of the year, making it a 2-0 lead for the Blazers.
Krzan put the game one in the book for the Blazers, fielding the ball deep in the hold and tagging out the Centenary runner moving to third.
The Blazers ended the Ladies fourth inning, cutting down the Ladies' baserunner trying to advance to third from second base on an infield single.
The Ladies had an opportunity to score a run in the fifth that could have tied the game after moving a runner to third on two straight steals. Nelson ending the Centenary's comeback chance and the inning, with two strikeouts.
UAB will take to the diamond at 9 a.m. Sunday against Oklahoma State for its final games of the Century Bank Classic.
