The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Stephen F. Austin
UAB Splits Pair Of Games To Conclude Bulldog Round-Robin
2/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 14, 2010
STARKVILLE, Miss. - The UAB softball team defeated Stephen F. Austin 8-1 in its first game Sunday at the Bulldog-Round Robin hosted by Mississippi State. The Blazers then fell 6-2 to Mississippi State to finish second in the tournament.
Four Blazers were named to the Bulldog Round-Robin All-Tournament Team. Seniors Martina Landrum and Cameron Skates, junior Caley Walden and sophomore Mandy Lowman all received accolades.
"The senior leadership from Martina and Cameron was outstanding this weekend," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "All four of these girls played well and accounted for nine of our total runs."
Against Stephen F. Austin, the Blazers scored five runs in the sixth inning alone. UAB lead 3-1 at the start of the inning before a Lauren Webster single on a fielder's choice, drove in Kayla Orr to make the score 4-1.
The Blazer bats stayed hot as freshman Kate Armstrong belted a double up the middle to drive in Webster and pinch runner Tiffany Smith. Junior Sallie Van Kirk scored off a ground out by Landrum to put UAB up 7-1. With the bases loaded, pitcher Angela White walked in Walden to tally UAB's fifth run of the inning.
"With it being our first weekend of the season, I was very pleased with our offensive production," Townsend said. "Our defense was solid too up until the last game, and our pitching staff proved that we have the depth that we need to carry us through the season."
Skates had a strong game offensively for the Blazers after slugging a home run over the left field wall in the first to drive in Landrum, and hitting a sacrifice fly in the fifth to pick up her third RBI of the game.
Stephen F. Austin had several opportunities to get on the board throughout the game, but a tough Blazer defense stopped their efforts. The Ladyjacks had two runners on base in the third, but pitcher Amber Torres struck out the next two batters and the third grounded out to Skates. Again in the sixth, Stephen F. Austin had two runners on base and threatened to score again, but pitcher Webster struck out Aranas to end the inning.
Against Mississippi State, Lowman slugged her third home run of the tournament in the second inning over the centerfield wall. Lowman played well both offensively and defensively throughout the tournament, throwing out all three runners attempting to steal.
"The hitting was contagious," Townsend said. "A lot of different people came through for us this weekend. Mandy had three home runs, threw out three of four stealing attempts and did a great job working with three different pitchers this weekend."
Landrum went 3-for-4 against the Bulldogs, posting three singles. A sacrifice bunt by Douglass in the third scored Walden, who reached on a single down the right line.
UAB's defense struggled against Mississippi State, posting five errors.
"The errors we made in the last game were mental," Townsend said. "They were just mental lapses and were not for a lack of trying."
The Blazers were originally scheduled to travel to Lipscomb Tuesday, but due to predictions of inclement weather, the game will be rescheduled. UAB will play in the South Alabama Invitational in Mobile, Ala. this weekend. The Blazers will take on Northwestern State Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.
