The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Northwestern State
UAB Softball Falls To Northwestern State, 3-2
2/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 19, 2010
MOBILE, Ala. --- The UAB softball team dropped a 3-2 decision to Northwestern State Friday evening in its first game of the South Alabama Invitational.
Junior pitcher Alisha Smith (1-2) struck out three Demon batters in a row to start the game, but the Blazers got down 3-0 in the second when Northwestern State's third baseman, Ashleigh Kuhn, hit a three-run homer to left centerfield.
"We hit the ball much better than our opponents, but we didn't produce with our runners in scoring position," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "We started off the game with three strikeouts and in the second inning we gave up a walk. Unfortunately that was the spark they needed because they followed that with a base hit and a home run."
The Blazers threatened a comeback in the top of the sixth when sophomore catcher Mandy Lowman belted her fourth home run of the season to put UAB on the board.
Sophomore second baseman Kate Armstrong slugged a triple and pinch runner Donna Plath scored UAB's second run off a sacrifice fly by shortstop Kayla Orr, but the Blazers' efforts fell short.
"We just didn't make adjustments at the plate," Townsend said. "Mandy Lowman and Kate Armstrong had greats for us, but we waited a little too late in the sixth to come around."
Lowman also had a big night for UAB defensively, throwing out both runners attempting to steal.
Seniors Cameron Skates and Martina Landrum both slugged doubles for the Green and Gold, to bring the Blazer hit tally to six for the game.
The Blazers return to action Saturday for day two of the South Alabama Invitational. UAB will face Nicholls State at 11:30 a.m. CT and Northwestern State at 4:30 p.m. CT.
