UAB Splits Doubleheader With UTEP

Saturday, March 28

Birmingham, Ala.

5:00 PM

UAB

UTEP

UAB Splits Doubleheader With UTEP

3/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball

March 28, 2009

UTEP 7, UAB 3 | UAB 9, UTEP 4

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - After dropping the first game of the day, 7-3, the UAB softball team (11-19, 4-7 C-USA) bounced back in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader to beat UTEP (19-17, 5-6 C-USA) at George Ward Park, 9-4.

"This is what happens when you are productive at the plate," said UAB head coach Marla Townsend. "When we are hitting well, we play well. When we don't hit the ball well, we struggle."

The first game started off well for the Blazers who jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Caley Walden tallied UAB's first run after scoring from third on a single by Catherine Douglass. Martina Landrum was then able to score on an error by the Miners.

But in the fourth inning the Miners were able to score seven runs on four hits, including a grand slam by Camilla Carrera, to take a 7-2 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh inning Cameron Skates hit a solo home run to left field to close the gap, 7-3. But UTEP's Stacie Townsend was able to strike out two Blazers and force a ground out to end the game, 7-3.

With the win, Townsend improved to 11-10 on the year. She allowed five hits and struck out seven in the win.

Amber Torres picked up the loss for UAB and fell to 4-3 this season. In seven innings of work, Torres allowed eight hits and struck out four.

In the second game of the day, UAB wasted no time and grabbed an early lead after scoring six runs in the first two innings.

Landrum led things off with an infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Walden. Douglass would then strike out swinging, but reached first base on wild pitch and Landrum was able to score for the early 1-0 lead. Douglass would later score on a base hit to left field by Amanda Allen. Mandy Lowman wrapped up the scoring for the Blazers with a shot through the left side, allowing pinch runner Tiffany Smith to score. At the end of the first inning, UAB led 3-0.

The runs kept coming for the Blazers in the second inning. UAB scattered three hits to score three runs, including a double by Skates and a two-run single by Kayla Harris.

UTEP responded in the third inning with a two-run home run by Townsend to cut the deficit, 6-2.

In the bottom of the third inning UAB was able to score two more runs on one hit. With one out, UTEP loaded the bases with three consecutive walks. Walden then hit a two-run single down the left field line, scoring Skates and Natalie Mitchell.

But the Miners answered back in the fourth inning scoring two runs with two outs to cut the lead 8-4. After loading the bases, UTEP grounded out of the inning before scoring any more runs.

Laura Callaway drove in pinch runner Maegan Hornsby for the Blazers' final run with a single up the middle in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Lindsey Croft (5-11) picked up the win after pitching 3.2 innings and allowing seven hits and all four UTEP runs.

Sara Swepston allowed only four hits and struck out two in 3.1 innings of work to pick up her second save this season.

UAB and UTEP will conclude the series tomorrow at George Ward Park with a single game scheduled to start at 1 p.m. CT.