The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
#5 Alabama
Blazers Fall To No. 5 Alabama, 6-2
3/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 24, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. --- Junior leftfielder Caley Walden crossed the plate twice for the UAB softball team as it fell to No. 5 Alabama, 6-2, Wednesday night at the Alabama Softball Complex.
Walden tripled to right field in the fourth and scored on a base hit by first baseman Kayla Orr to put UAB's first run on the board.
The Blazers (17-9, 3-3 C-USA) tacked on another run in the sixth after catcher Mandy Lowman belted an RBI-single up the middle. Third baseman Cameron Skates then smacked her 11th double of the season to left center field, but both Lowman and Skates were left on after pitcher Amanda Locke retired both Kate Armstrong and Catherine Douglass.
"I felt good about having the same number of hits that they had," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "But, we did things that you can't do against one of the top teams in the country and come out with a win."
Freshman pitcher Lauren Webster (8-3) started the game for the Blazers and fanned seven Tide batters. Webster tossed four innings before Amber Torres and Alisha Smith both took a crack at the Alabama offense.
The Crimson Tide (23-7, 6-2 SEC) plated three runs in the second on designated player Locke's homer and a sacrifice fly by second baseman Kayla Braud that scored catcher Kendall Dawson. Rightfielder Cassie Reilly-Boccia also crossed the plate on a Douglass overthrow into the Blazer dugout to give Alabama a 4-0 lead.
Locke, Dawson and shortstop Whitney Larsen all blasted long balls against UAB to account for three Tide runs.
Kelsi Dunne (11-4) pitched five innings in the circle for the Crimson Tide to pick up the win. The junior pitcher gave up three hits, one earned run and retired eight Blazer batters.
"I'm proud of this team though because they battle," Townsend said. "We made mental mistakes, but one thing you can't take away from this team is that they play hard and with extreme confidence."
The Blazers have this weekend off and return to action April 2 when they play host to Houston for a three-game conference series at UAB Softball Field.
