The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazer Blogs: Martina Landrum
3/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 2, 2010
Hey Blazer fans!! Wow, what can I say, your girls having been performing well the past couple weeks. We went down to South Alabama and took care of business. Unfortunately, we went 3-1 in the tournament, which should have easily been a 4-0 record for that us weekend. Our loss was to Northwestern State, which was the first game of the tournament. We just didn't jump on them early. We actually didn't jump on them at all until it was too late, but that game was definitely put behind us and we won the next three games.
The next game brings us to our first home game against Alabama. Everyone seemed so ready to step foot on the field with them. But once we were actually on the field in front of many, many people, we got a bit shaky. We didn't perform to our potential and didn't give ourselves an opportunity. We did try and make something happen in the third inning with a big three-run homer from our senior third baseman, Cameron Skates. But we needed to keep producing runs. We couldn't just settle with what we had and we ended up with an unfortunate loss, 7-3.
The Magic City Classic was our next tournament. We were all mentally prepared and focused going into the tournament, especially coming off the Alabama game. I'm glad we were able to shake off the loss and focus and didn't allow that loss to carry over into the Magic City Classic and cause us to forget our real talent and abilities. We forgot about that game, totally deleted it from our minds, put it behind us, learned from it, prepared our minds and turned our thoughts to next game to come.
We faced good pitchers and were glad that we could adjust early and put the ball in play. We were so relaxed and stepped into the box with a positive mentality. We went in thinking about only the most important thing and that was the ball. Our hits were so contagious and it was extremely hard for any pitcher we faced to shut us down. We scored early every single game and the runs kept accumulating, blowing up the scoreboard. I am so proud of the ladies for coming out wanting to win, showing up and letting it show in our performance. Granted we are still improving in many areas and had a few downs, but overall, we didn't let that determine our outcome and not bounce back from it like we failed to do in the past. We basically took care of business.
Our communication and cheering was a plus as well. Everyone was up and excited and kept the intensity up in every single game. We ended finishing the tournament undefeated with wins over Troy, Alabama State, Samford and Nicholls State.
Just briefly on our pitchers, they did an outstanding job. They did everything they were supposed to do. They were very consistent with pitches and gave us an opportunity to get behind them and make a play. So nice job Alisha, Amber and Lauren!
Thanks to everyone that came out and supported us for our first home game and I do apologize for not performing to our potential and showing you guys our true talents. We still need your support and appreciate it all. Our next games our down in Clearwater, Fla. at the USF Under Armour Invitational. We are looking to win this tournament as well and there's no doubt in my mind that we can't, especially if we carry over the intensity and excitement from our last tournament. Thanks Blazer fans!
Martina
