The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
#8 Alabama
UAB Softball Falls To No. 8 Alabama, 7-3
2/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 23, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The UAB softball team (5-4) dropped a 7-3 decision to No. 8 Alabama (8-2) in its inaugural game at UAB Softball Field Tuesday night.
The Blazers recorded an attendance of 1,323, the largest crowd in UAB history, to open their new on-campus facility, UAB Softball Field.
"I really appreciate our fans coming out tonight," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "The fan support created a great environment for this special evening. I really regret not being able to take advantage of this opportunity against Alabama."
In the third, senior centerfielder Martina Landrum singled up the middle, followed by junior leftfielder Caley Walden reaching on a fielding error. Senior third baseman Cameron Skates then belted her second home run of the season down the left field line, to put the Blazers up, 3-1.
The Blazer defense held Alabama to one run until errors in the fifth proved costly. Singles by senior third baseman Alex Blewitt, freshman infielder Courtney Conley and a double by sophomore outfielder Jennifer Fenton, in conjunction with two UAB errors, allowed the Tide to score four runs to take the lead, 5-3.
"I take the blame, I thought we had our girls ready for tonight and that they understood what this all was going to be about," Townsend said. "We just didn't perform to our potential."
In addition to posting three RBI and going 1-for-3 at the plate, Skates also played strong in the field recording two putouts and four assists.
Alabama pitcher Kelsi Dunne (4-2) kept the UAB bats cold, striking out 17 batters and only allowing two hits on the game.
UAB remains in town this weekend to play in the Magic City Classic hosted by Samford. The Blazers will face off against Troy on Friday for their first game of the tournament, with the first pitch slated for 3:30 p.m. CT.
