The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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Mississippi State
UAB Splits Doubleheader To Open Bulldog Round-Robin
2/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 13, 2010
STARKVILLE, Miss. - The UAB softball team split a doubleheader to open the 2010 season at the Bulldog Round-Robin Saturday, defeating Stephen F. Austin, 5-1, before dropping a 4-0 decision to Mississippi State. Sophomore Mandy Lowman led the Blazers offensively, belting two home runs against Stephen F. Austin.
"Against Stephen F. Austin, our hitters were well prepared and really came through at the plate," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "Obviously Mandy [Lowman] had a strong presence at the plate today. Both Cameron [Skates] and Caley [Walden] both had solid days too."
Lowman's first home run came in the fifth inning over the right field wall, driving in Douglass to put the UAB up 4-1. Lowman slugged her second home run of the day in the seventh to increase UAB's lead to 5-1.
Junior pitcher Alisha Smith (1-0) had a strong day in the pitcher's circle, recording 10 strikeouts and only allowing two hits.
"Alisha had an outstanding performance only allowing two hits," Townsend said. "She looked good and the defense played very strong behind her."
UAB's first run of the game came from a ground out by sophomore Kayla Orr, which drove in junior pinch runner Donna Plath to give the Blazers the early lead.
Against Mississippi State, freshman pitcher Lauren Webster had a solid collegiate debut, fanning nine batters.
"Lauren [Webster] pitched a good game," Townsend said. "Our batters just didn't adjust at the plate like we should have."
The Bulldogs first two runs came in the second inning off an Erin Nesbitt triple. Nesbitt homered to centerfield in the fourth, putting Mississippi State up 4-0.
The Blazers had an opportunity to come back in the bottom of the fifth, when Lowman singled to third and Armstrong reached on an error. The Blazers fell short with the next three batters flying out, leaving Lowman and Armstrong on base.
UAB returns to action Sunday at 11 a.m. CT against Stephen F. Austin. The Blazers will then close out the Mississippi State Round-Robin with a game against Mississippi State, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. Live stats for both games will be available after the first pitch is thrown on Mississippi State's live stats website.
