The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Troy
UAB Softball Tops Trojans, 4-1
2/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 26, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The UAB softball team defeated in-state foe Troy, 4-1, Friday evening to open the Magic City Classic hosted by Samford.
The Blazers (6-4) jumped out to an early lead over the Trojans (7-4) with junior leftfielder Caley Walden scoring off a single to right field by sophomore shortstop Kayla Orr. Walden took advantage of two Troy fielding errors to round the bases for UAB.
"Offensively, getting on the scoreboard early with four runs off four hits means that we were smart with our base running," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said.
Walden led off the third inning with a bunt. Sophomore catcher Mandy Lowman followed with her third double of the season down the left line to score Walden. Orr answered with another double for the Blazers, scoring Lowman to put UAB up, 4-0.
"All in all it was a step in the right direction," Townsend said. "I'm proud of the team for recovering from Tuesday and making adjustments at the plate. Ashlyn [Williams] is a great pitcher and we did a good job of putting the ball in play."
Freshman pitcher Lauren Webster (2-1) picked up the win for the Blazers, recording eight strikeouts, allowing only one run and no walks. Webster retired Troy power hitter Courtney Cherry four times during her six innings pitched.
"Lauren was outstanding and was hitting her spots on the edge of the plate all night," Townsend said.
The Trojans threatened a comeback in the sixth, with sophomore Hayden Gann hitting a double and scoring Troy's lone run of the game off a single by senior Rocky Paige. Although Troy had four hits in the inning, a tough Blazer defense forced them to leave three on base.
Junior pitcher Alisha Smith pitched the final inning for the Blazers, picking up the save after fanning two of four batters faced.
The Blazers continue the Magic City Classic Saturday, facing off against Alabama State at 1:15 p.m. CT before a matchup with tournament-host Samford at 5:45 p.m. CT.
