The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Memphis
Lowman And Harris Lead UAB Over Memphis In Game One
4/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 28, 2009
UAB 9, Memphis 0 | Memphis 5, UAB 1
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Mandy Lowman hit two three-run home runs and Kayla Harris pitched a one-hitter as the UAB softball team defeated Memphis in five innings, 9-0, in the first game of a doubleheader here at the Tiger Softball Complex on Tuesday. The Tigers would go on to win the nightcap, 5-1.
With the split, the Blazers are 18-33 overall and Memphis is 22-28 on the year. Both teams are tied for ninth in league play with a record of 7-16.
"In game one, we played great," said UAB head coach Marla Townsend. "We had the bats swinging and Kayla Harris was pitching well. But we were a different team in game two. We made too many mistakes and didn't have the run production we had in the first game. We need to bring it tomorrow and win this series."
GAME ONE
In the first game of the day, UAB was able to take an early 1-0 lead in the first. Martina Landrum was able to draw a walk and advanced to second on her 31st stolen base of the year. Caley Walden then hit a shallow fly to left field allowing Landrum to score from third.
The Blazers were able to pull away in the third as Catherine Douglass led the inning off with a double down the left line. Amanda Allen reached base after being hit by a pitch but would later be called out on a fielder's choice by Laura Callaway. With runners on first and third, Lowman recorded her sixth home run of the season with a three-run shot over the centerfield fence. The next batter, Cameron Skates, put UAB up 5-0 with a solo home run to right field. It was Skates' fifth home run this year.
In the fourth, the Blazers continued swinging for the fences as Lowman recorded her second three-run home run on the day for an 8-0 lead.
UAB added one more run in the top of the fifth on two hits for the final score, 9-0.
Harris mixed it up against Memphis on the afternoon, allowing one hit in the five-inning, shutout victory. Harris improved to 3-4 on the season after striking out three and walking none against the Tigers.
Lowman led UAB at the plate, going 3-for-3 with six RBI and two home runs. Walden also had a good day in the batter's box with two hits and one RBI.
The Blazers scattered nine hits on the afternoon, including five off of Janelle Valle (8-13). Valle allowed five runs, struck out one and walked three for the loss in 2.1 innings pitched.
GAME TWO
It was the Tigers who were able to keep the Blazers in check for most of game two. Memphis was able to retire the first 10 batters for UAB before Walden hit a one-out single in the fourth inning.
Memphis was then able to grab a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth on sacrifice fly by Nikki Moreno.
In the fifth inning, Lowman hit a one-out double to right centerfield and would be replaced by pinch runner, Tiffany Smith. Smith would steal third base and would be left stranded as UAB would pop out to end the inning.
Memphis would load the bases in the bottom of the fifth and score two more on a fielding error by the Green and Gold for a 3-0 lead.
Landrum would reach first base in the sixth inning after being hit by a pitch and would tie the UAB single-season record as she stole second base for her 32nd stolen base of the season. But Landrum would be left on base at the end of the inning.
The Tigers would post two runs in the sixth after Brittany Gooch scored from third on a wild pitch and Maddie McKinley scored on a RBI single by Lelia Dolfo.
UAB finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh inning. Callaway doubled to lead off the inning and was brought home by a RBI single by Skates.
Lindsey Croft (6-18) earned the loss after allowing seven hits and five runs, three of which were unearned, in six innings pitched.
Vanessa Walle (8-11) struck out six, allowed four hits and walked one to pick up the win in seven innings pitched.
The Blazers will conclude their 2009 C-USA schedule tomorrow in a third game against Memphis. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.
