The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Tulsa
UAB Softball Falls To Tulsa Sunday, 4-1
3/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 14, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Despite a late attempt to rally, the UAB softball team fell to Tulsa, 4-1, Sunday at UAB Softball Field.
UAB (15-7, 1-2 C-USA) struggled offensively against Tulsa (14-10, 2-1 C-USA) in the final game of the three-game series, as junior pitcher Jordan Kinard (5-3) held the Blazers scoreless through the fifth.
"We have got to do a better job offensively and we will," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "We're going to hit and put pressure on our opponents; we just need to start hitting earlier."
Senior third baseman Cameron Skates reached in the fifth after hitting her ninth double of the season down the left field line. Sophomore catcher Mandy Lowman followed with a single up the middle to score UAB's only run.
In the seventh, junior second baseman Natalie Mitchell had a base hit and freshman leftfielder Hailey Glynn walked to put two runners on base for the Blazers. UAB was unable to capitalize, however, as the Blazers left a total of seven runners on base for the game.
"We had the tying run at the plate at the end of the game," Townsend said. "Until this weekend we were very successful at getting our runners in, but we left too many runners on base during this series."
After tossing three innings for the Blazers, sophomore pitcher Amber Torres (4-1) took the loss. Torres threw five strikeouts and allowed three earned runs before junior Alisha Smith took over in the circle and struck out six batters.
"I'm very pleased with Amber and Alisha's performances today," Townsend said. "Striking out 11 batters helps us defensively."
Tulsa jumped on the board early with two runs in the first. Freshman shortstop Samantha Cobb doubled down the left field line to score centerfielder Caitlin Everett and then reached on an error by first baseman Kayla Orr to take a 2-0 lead.
The Golden Hurricane tacked on a run in the second after Jessica Stoelke reached off a Cobb single, and another in the third after Lauren Menke belted her third home run of the series. Smith cooled the Tulsa bats starting in the fourth and only allowed one hit for the remainder of the game.
The Blazers continue conference play this weekend as they travel to Marshall for a three-game series. UAB will play one game Friday at 2 p.m. ET followed by a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m. ET.
