The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Alabama
No. 2 Alabama Downs Blazers, 6-3
3/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 10, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB softball team dropped to 8-11 on the season after falling to No.2 Alabama, 6-3, on Tuesday evening at George Ward Park. The loss was the second handed out by the Crimson Tide this year.
"We made too many mistakes," said UAB head coach Marla Townsend. "When facing one of the top teams in the nation, you can't give them anything. But I'm proud of how we hung in there until the end."
Alabama got on the board first, scoring one run in the third inning. Then a two-run home run by Kelley Montalvo in the fifth inning gave the Tide a 3-0 lead. Alabama tacked on one more run in the sixth on a fielder's choice.
In the bottom of the sixth inning Mandy Lowman singled up the middle, scoring Catherine Douglass and Tiffany Smith to close the gap, 4-2. But UAB grounded out to finish the inning and left runners on the corners.
In the seventh inning Alabama pulled away, scoring two more runs off of two base hits to lead, 6-2.
In the bottom of the seventh, Martina Landrum doubled to left field and later scored on a double by Andrea Rogers. Down 6-3 with runners in scoring position, UAB grounded out before doing any more damage.
Lindsey Croft (4-8) picked up the loss. In seven innings of work, Croft allowed 12 hits, four earned runs and struck out three.
"Lindsey pitched a good game for us," said Townsend. "She went out there and gave it her best. We just came up short tonight."
Amanda Locke improved to 4-0 on the season with the victory. Charlotte Morgan recorded the save.
As a team the Blazers scattered eight hits with Rogers and Laura Callaway recording two each.
UAB returns to action Wednesday with a doubleheader against Saint Louis. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.
