The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
No. 10/6 Oklahoma
UAB Falls to Oklahoma, Finishes Second in Paradise Classic
2/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 8, 2009
HONOLULU, Hawai'i - The UAB softball team dropped its final game of the Hawai'i Paradise Classic to No. 6 Oklahoma, 13-1, finishing second in the tournament on Saturday afternoon. Three Blazers were tabbed to the Hawai'i Paradise Classic All-Tournament Team on a vote by the teams' coaches and sports information directors.
"We knew going into this game that we couldn't give Oklahoma anything," said UAB head softball coach Marla Townsend. "With a team like Oklahoma, you have no margin of error. We made too many mistakes this afternoon."
The Sooners first got on the board in the second inning after an errant throw to first base allowed Samantha Ricketts to score. Then in the fifth, Oklahoma was able to load the bases on two hits and a walk. Another error allowed Krystle Huey to score. With the bases still loaded, Lindsey Vandever hit a grand slam to left field. After five, the Sooners were up 6-0. Oklahoma proceeded to tack on seven more run over the next two innings.
UAB's sole run came after a double by junior Cameron Skates allowed sophomore Natalie Mitchell to score from second in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Blazers finished the weekend 2-3 overall and claimed second place in the Hawai'i Paradise Classic.
"For us to come in and rebound they way we did tells me a lot about this team," said Townsend. "We will definitely take what we've learned and apply it to the rest of this season. We've played some top competition and we've handled the pressure well."
The highlight of the tournament came when three Blazers were announced to the Hawai'i Paradise Classic. Juniors Skates and Martina Landrum, along with freshman Lindsey Croft received the honor.
"I'm so glad these girls are in a UAB uniform," said Townsend. "They performed amazingly well this weekend."
Skates registered a .500 batting average, a .643 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base percentage over the five games with two doubles and two RBI.
Landrum hit .353 for the tournament with six hits. But her biggest contribution came on defense as she made three incredible grabs at the fence in centerfield.
Croft finished with a 1-2 record and a 4.76 ERA. She shut out Hawai'i in a one-hitter and struck out 14 in four games.
The Blazers have next weekend off before heading to LSU's Purple and Gold Challenge Feb. 20-22.
