The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Tulsa
Walker's Homer Lifts UAB To Come From Behind Win
4/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 5, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Leigh Walker raised her fist as she rounded the bases after helping UAB defeat Tulsa 6-5 in the second game of a Saturday doubleheader at George Ward Park. The Blazers earned the split after falling 2-1 to Tulsa in the first game.
Walker's three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth erased a two-run deficit and helped UAB improve to a 19-25 overall record and 6-8 conference record. Tulsa drops to 19-25 and 6-8 after the split.
"We are trying to get some momentum built and we did that today," head coach Marla Townsend said. "Considering how we did it today and the energy we have now I think we can do that."
Holly Krzan became the Blazers' all-time runs scored leader in game one when she came home on a wild pitch.
Walker's fifth home run of the season came on a two-strike two-out pitch with UAB trailing 5-3.
Kayla Harris gave up just one earned run and struck out eight to earn her ninth victory of the season. She scattered seven hits over seven innings in her 12th complete game of the season.
"She's pitching great," Townsend said. "Just another great pitching performance by her."
It was Harris third strong outing in a week who held Southern Miss to one-hit last weekend and gave up two infield hits to Mississippi Valley State Thursday night.
UAB hit two homers in the game for the third time this season. Holly Krzan started off game for the Blazers with a solo shot in the bottom of the first inning. It was the fourth homer of the year and first for her since March 1.
"It was a great way to start the game off for us since we came back and scored after Tulsa left two runners on," Townsend said.
Tulsa took the lead in the top of the third on an error that scored the tying run. A sacrifice fly and two-run single put the Golden Hurricane on top 4-1. They would score their fifth run, the only earned run on Harris, on a wild pitch in the fifth.
Amanda Allen and Krzan walked in the Blazers' sixth inning before Walker's shot just to the left of dead center.
UAB snapped a five-game losing streak with the 6-5 victory and stopped a string of four-consecutive one-run losses.
Walker's 15th-career home run moved her into a tie with Engram and current UAB coach Beth Mullins for third all-time. Her five home runs is a single-season record for the senior.
The UAB freshman came through in a big way collecting four of the Blazers' seven hits. Laura Callaway's two-run single keep UAB in the game after Tulsa took a 4-1 lead in the third inning.
UAB scored the first run of the game in the first game on a bases loaded wild pitch.
Krzan scored on the play moving her past Cliffanie Engram to become UAB's all-time run leader. She has 117 on the season.
Tulsa immediately overtook the lead on a two-run triple to right center by Kailey Yarmer in the second inning. The Golden Hurricane would go on to win by the score.
Jennifer Nelson pitched seven innings giving up the two runs while striking out five.
"I thought Jennifer pitched really well tonight," Townsend said. "Too bad we couldn't put any hits together and give her some support."
Jordan Kinnard (7-3) earned the victory for Tulsa. She struck out 12 and walked four.
Kayla Harris and Cameron Skates had the only two hits for UAB. Tulsa had six including two in Tulsa's two-run inning.
The Blazers and Golden Hurricane will play for the series victory at 1 p.m. Sunday.
