The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Sweep Doubleheader With Alabama A&M
2/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 24, 2009
Game One Box Score • Game Two Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB softball team opened the 2009 home schedule in fine fashion Tuesday night by beating Alabama A&M, 8-0, in the first game and, 15-2, in the nightcap. Both games lasted only five innings. Combined on the night, the Blazers recorded 23 runs on 28 hits, eight doubles, five stolen bases and three different players hit a total of five home runs.
"Tonight was fun," said UAB head softball coach Marla Townsend. "The intensity was there all night. I'm really impressed on how the girls have responded."
In the first game UAB jumped out to a 1-0 lead after sophomore Amanda Allen hit a RBI double to left field scoring freshman Catherine Douglass.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Blazers' bats came alive and recorded six runs. Senior Andrea Rogers led off the inning with a solo shot to centerfield. It was the first home run of the season for UAB's all-time career home run leader (24). Two batters later, freshman Mandy Lowman notched her first career home run with a two-run shot to left field. By the end of the inning, UAB held a 7-0 lead.
Sophomore Natalie Mitchell put the final run on the board in the fourth inning by hitting a RBI single to right centerfield, allowing Lowman to score from second.
Freshman pitcher Amber Torres improved to 2-1 on the season. In five innings of work, Torres allowed only two hits and struck out seven.
"It was great to see the girls out there having fun," said Townsend. "We stayed focused, played great defense and really saw the ball well all night."
In the second game, the Blazers picked up where they left off. After the Bulldogs were able to score a run in the top of the first, UAB responded by knocking in six of its own.
Junior Martina Landrum tallied UAB's first run by scoring on a wild pitch after stealing second and third. Landrum tied UAB's single game record with three stolen bases in the contest. With runners on first and third, Lowman recorded her second home run of her career with a shot to centerfield.
The Green and Gold tacked on two more runs in the second to lead, 8-1.
UAB's bats would not let up in the third as they continued to increase their lead. After Landrum advanced on a single, Douglass hit her first career home run to give the Blazers a 10-1 lead. Freshman Tiffany Smith recorded her first career RBI with a single to center, scoring Rogers. At the end of the inning, UAB scored five runs on six hits and held a 13-1 lead.
Douglass tacked on the final two runs in the bottom of the fourth as she hit her second home run on the night. The Hueytown, Ala. native was 4-for-4 in the batter's box with four RBI and four runs. Her two home runs and four hits ties UAB's individual record for most home runs and most hits in a game.
Junior Sara Swepston recorded her first victory as a Blazer and improved to 1-1 on the year. In five innings of work, Swepston allowed only three hits, two runs and struck out five.
UAB is now 4-8 on the season. The back-to-back wins snap a six-game losing streak.
The Green and Gold return to action on Friday, Feb. 27, as they host the 2009 Magic City Classic at Spain Park High School. The Blazers' first game will be at 3:30 p.m. CT as they take on Alabama State.
