The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
South Alabama
UAB Softball Blanks South Alabama, 6-0
2/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 21, 2010
MOBILE, Ala. --- The UAB softball team defeated South Alabama, 6-0, Sunday evening to improve to 5-3 on the season and conclude the South Alabama Invitational with a 3-1 record.
"Today was a great way to wrap up a very successful weekend," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "The improvements that we made throughout the course of the game, especially adjusting at the plate, were what we need to do be successful."
Through four innings the game was a battle between the pitchers as UAB's Alisha Smith (2-2) and South Alabama's Beth Pilgrim (1-2), threw a combined 10 strikeouts to hold both teams scoreless.
In the fifth, junior leftfielder Caley Walden ignited the Blazer bats, belting a triple to score senior centerfielder Martina Landrum. After senior third baseman Cameron Skates reached on a fielder's choice, sophomore catcher Mandy Lowman slugged her fifth home run of the season to make the score 3-0.
UAB tallied three more runs as it batted through the entire lineup, with singles from sophomore shortstop Kayla Orr and sophomore catcher Erica Sisson, and a double by freshman second baseman Kate Armstrong.
Landrum went 3-for-5 against South Alabama, slugging her first home run of the season over the right field wall. Orr also highlighted the Blazers' strong offensive production going 2-for-3 from the plate, scoring one run. Lowman and Sisson both posted two RBI for the game.
"The extra base hits were what I was most pleased about this weekend," Townsend said. "We did a good job of putting the ball in play."
Although UAB had a strong game offensively scoring six runs off 10 hits, the Blazers still left 11 runners on base.
The Blazer defense looked strong behind Smith, with Sisson and Lowman combining for 18 putouts.
"I felt that Alisha pitched an outstanding game and really trusted her defense," Townsend said. "That's a great way to head into our first home game and build on that momentum."
The Green and Gold return to action Tuesday, when they play host to No.8/9 Alabama for their inaugural game at UAB Softball Field. The gates will open at 5 p.m. CT, with the first pitch slated for 6:30 p.m. CT. Since a large crowd is anticipated, UAB softball fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early.
