The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Columbia
Nelson and Krzan Help Blazers Roll Past Columbia
3/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 2, 2008
HOOVER, Ala. --- Jennifer Nelson struck out 12 and Holly Krzan homered as the UAB softball wrapped up the Magic City Classic with a convincing 7-0 win over Columbia Sunday afternoon.
Nelson (7-6) was on cruise control from the get-go striking out the side in each of the first three innings. Krzan's line drive shot over the left field fence was her second home run of the tournament and third of the season.
Nelson stayed true to her style this season, striking out 12 and eight in a row after allowing a seeing-eye single in the first. The outs that were not strikeouts, were all ground balls.
For the first time this season, Nelson allowed no walks in the starting role. It was her fourth double-digit strikeout game of the year.
The Blazers (13-9) sent 11 batters to the plate in the six-run fifth inning. Leigh Walker singled in a run and Mary Kendall Butler reached with an infield single. Krzan then turned on a pitch down the heart of the plate, smoking the ball just over the left-field fence making it 5-0.
Rogers then doubled, moved to third and scored on a double steal. Nelson, who began the inning by reaching on an error, singled thru the right side scoring Kayla Harris from second.
Krzan also scored the Blazers' first run in the fourth inning. Krzan doubled, stole third and scored as the toss by Columbia's catcher could not be handled. Columbia (3-2) had just one hit reach the outfield.
UAB finished with a 4-1 record and were the tournament's runner-up. Georgia Southern won the title breaking a two-year streak that the Blazers held.
Much of the Blazers' success this weekend was due in part because of the pitching by Nelson and Harris and the solid defense behind them.
Nelson earned two victories and struck out 28, while walking three in 21 innings of work. Harris (5-3) also received two wins and struck out nine. Both combined just seven runs over the five games. The Blazers committed three errors with 138 overall chances.
The Blazers' middle of the order also feasted this weekend. Krzan continued to tear the cover off the ball, as she finished with a seven RBIs to go along with six runs and a .385 average.
Harris also hit .385 and collected four doubles over the weekend. Butler also showed significant improvement as a table-setter for the middle of the line up as she reached base six times.
UAB will travel to No. 18 Mississippi State for a single game beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Starkville, Miss. The Blazers host No. 1 Alabama at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at George Ward Park.
