The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Marshall
UAB Shuts Out Marshall To Win Game One, 4-0
4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 18, 2009
UAB 4, Marshall 0 | Marshall 7, UAB 1
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Laura Callaway hit two home runs and recorded three RBI on the afternoon as the UAB softball team was able to split a doubleheader with Marshall on Saturday at George Ward Park. The Blazers (14-29, 5-15 C-USA) shut out the Thundering Herd (24-14, 9-5 C-USA), 4-0, in the first game before falling, 7-1, in game two.
"We showed what we were capable of in the first game," said UAB head coach Marla Townsend. "We took advantage of Marshall's mistakes in game one and they were able to capitalize on ours in game two. We just needed more offensive production today."
GAME ONE
The first game started off slow as both teams struggled to reach base safely through the first two innings. But in the third inning, UAB was able to grab a 2-0 lead after two costly errors by the Thundering Herd. With the bases loaded, Marshall tried to pick-off Natalie Mitchell at third base but an errant throw allowed her to score the game's first run. Martina Landrum would later score from third after Amanda Allen was able to reach first base on a fielding error by the pitcher, Autumn Mitchell.
In the bottom of the sixth inning the Blazers were able to tack on two more runs to widen the gap, 4-0. Allen led things off with a double to left field. After Tiffany Smith came in as a pinch runner for Allen, Laura Callaway hit a two-run home run to centerfield. It was the sophomore's fourth this season.
Amber Torres (6-5) recorded the win as she held Marshall to three hits while striking out three and walking one.
The Blazers scattered four hits off of Autumn Mitchell (9-4) to post the win, despite Mitchell striking out eight UAB batters and walking two.
The Thundering Herd left four runners on base, including three in scoring position, thanks in part to an excellent defensive effort by the Green and Gold.
GAME TWO
In the second game, Marshall was able to score the first run after a throwing error on a play at the plate in the second inning by Callaway. The Thundering Herd's Kelly Neilson was then able to lay down a sacrifice bunt and Marcena Bartoldo was able to score from third for a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, Callaway was able to cut Marshall's lead in half, 2-1, after hitting her second home run of the day to centerfield.
In the sixth inning, Marshall was able to widen their lead to 5-1 after scoring three runs off of three hits, including two doubles.
The Thundering Herd would tack on two more runs in seventh inning after a throwing error by the Blazers allowed Alianna Telles to score from third and Melanie Stoehr hit a RBI-single scoring J.J. Bitner.
Lindsey Croft (6-16) earned the loss after allowing five runs and three hits in five innings pitched.
Katie Murphee (9-5) held UAB to three hits and struck out seven in seven innings to notch the win.
UAB and Marshall will finish the three-game series tomorrow with a single game starting at 1 p.m. CT at George Ward Park. The game will be UAB's Senior Day game and honor the team's two seniors, Andrea Rogers and Kayla Harris. The contest will also mark the Blazers last home game of the 2009 season.
