The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Alabama State
Blazers Pick Up Two Wins At Magic City Classic
2/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 28, 2009
UAB 16, NIU 13 - Box Score
UAB 14, Alabama State 9 - Box Score
BIMRINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB softball team improved to 6-8 on the season after capturing victories over Northern Illinois, 16-13, and Alabama State, 14-9, in the first day of the Magic City Classic softball tournament. The final game for the Blazers against Pittsburgh was called off in the fourth inning due to inclement weather.
"It wasn't the prettiest looking performance," said UAB head softball coach Marla Townsend. "But it was a win. I'm proud of how we battled out there today."
In the first game, the Blazers and Northern Illinois went back and forth for more than three hours. Both teams combined for 21 hits, 29 runs and four home runs. UAB's Laura Callaway, Mandy Lowman and Natalie Mitchell recorded one home run each for the Green and Gold.
UAB trailed 11-8 in the bottom of the fourth inning before Kayla Harris hit a three-run double to tie the game at 11-11. Martina Landrum then tripled, scoring Harris. Andrea Rogers doubled later in the inning scoring Landrum. In all, the Blazers tacked on five runs with four hits and took the lead, 13-11.
In the fifth inning, UAB was able to distance themselves from the Huskies by scoring three more runs off singles by Mitchell and Landrum and a sacrifice fly by Harris. Northern Illinois tried to mount a comeback in the sixth inning, but were only able to score two runs.
Lindsey Croft was credited with the 16-13 victory and improved to 2-6 on the year. Sara Swepston was able to pick up her first save of the season by keeping NIU off the board in the seventh inning.
"We were swinging the bat really well," said Townsend. "We had some really good extra base hits. I was proud of our mentality, especially in this type of weather."
In the second game of the day, the Blazers were able to defeat Alabama State, 14-9. UAB got on the board quickly in the top of the first inning, but the Hornets were able to capitalize on three UAB errors and take a 3-1 lead.
In the top of the second, Catherine Douglass knocked in two runs after hitting a triple to right field. Rogers then hit an inside-the-park home run, giving the Blazers a 5-3 lead.
UAB scored four more runs in the fourth, including a solo home run to centerfield by Cameron Skates.
The Hornets tried to make a late rally in the sixth after Ayesha Famble hit a grand slam to pull within three runs, 12-9. But the Blazers answered in the seventh as Mitchell hit a two-run single and scored the final tally, 14-9.
Swepston (2-1) recorded her second win of the season after going all seven innings.
The final game of the day versus Pittsburgh was called off in the fourth inning due to inclement weather. The game will not be made up.
UAB is schedule to face Michigan State at 1:00 p.m. CT but tomorrow's games may be cancelled due to the threat of more inclement weather. A decision will be made Sunday morning.
Check back with UABsports.com for updates.
