The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
No. 1/4 Alabama
Blazers Fall to No. 1 Alabama, 8-1
3/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 4, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - In its first game against a No.1 team in the nation, the UAB softball team fell, 8-1, to Alabama Wednesday night. The Blazers are now 6-9 on the season.
"It's frustrating," said UAB softball head coach Marla Townsend. "We knew they were going to be tough. We knew they would get on base. We had to play defense up to our potential and we didn't do it."
Alabama jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Brittany Rogers was able to score after a throwing error by the Blazers on a fielder's choice by the Crimson Tide's Whitney Larsen. Kelley Montalvo was able to steal home and Larsen scored on a single by Jazlyn Lunceford.
The Blazers got on the scoreboard in the top of the second when freshman Mandy Lowman hit a line drive home run to left centerfield that was able to clear the top of the fence. It was Lowman's fourth home run in the past five games.
Over the next five innings the Green and Gold was unable score, leaving seven on base, including five runners in scoring position. UAB's best chance to score came in the fifth inning. With runners on first and second, senior Andrea Rogers hit a deep ball to centerfield and Alabama's Rogers was able to make an over-the-wall catch and save three runs from scoring.
The Crimson Tide was able to extend the lead to 7-1 in the fifth as four runs came across the plate on four hits. Jennifer Fenton tacked on the final run with a home run to centerfield in the sixth inning.
Three Blazers led UAB in the batter's box. Lowman, Martina Landrum and Caley Walden all went 2-for-3 on the night. Landrum also had a double on the evening and extended her hitting streak to eight games.
Lindsey Croft (2-6) struck out six and allowed four earned runs in the losing effort.
Amanda Locke picked up the win and improved to 3-0 on the season. Kelsi Dunne recorded her first save on the year, pitching 2.1 innings and striking out four.
The Blazers return to action this weekend as they host Southern Miss in the season's Conference USA opener at George Ward Park. First pitch in the three-game series is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. CT.
