The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Jacksonville State
Brown Drives In Three As Blazers Run-Rule Jacksonville State
3/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 9, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The UAB softball team scored eight runs in the sixth inning to run-rule Jacksonville State, 13-5, Tuesday night at UAB Softball Field. The win marks the Blazers' first at their new on-campus facility.
"At the midway point of the game I told the girls that we would give Jacksonville State the first half since they were up five runs, and that we had to win the second half," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "For us to have that much confidence in our bats and score eight runs in the sixth inning is an incredible thing."
Despite going down 5-0 in the top of the fourth, UAB (14-5) battled back by scoring four runs in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore catcher Mandy Lowman belted her seventh home run of the season to jump start the Blazer bats. Pinch runner Tiffany Smith scored off a ground out by junior Sallie Van Kirk, and a double by senior Martina Landrum scored two runs to close in on the Jacksonville State lead.
UAB chipped in one run in the fifth after Cameron Skates crossed the plate off a ground out by sophomore Kate Armstrong to tie the game 5-5.
In the sixth the Blazer bats heated up while taking advantage of two Jacksonville State errors. UAB had eight runs off of five hits to run-rule the Gamecocks. The scoring in the sixth was highlighted by a three-run double by freshman pinch hitter Issa Brown to end the game.
Also in the sixth, sophomore shortstop Catherine Douglass reached on a fielder's choice to score two runs and sophomore first baseman Kayla Orr belted a two-run single to center field.
Freshman pitcher Lauren Webster (6-2) picked up the win for the Blazers. Webster entered the game in the top of the sixth as the Blazers went through three pitchers. Junior Alisha Smith started the game for UAB, throwing six strikeouts before giving up five runs.
"Our freshman class has shown maturity beyond what I've ever seen before," Townsend said. "We had strong performances from freshmen Issa Brown, Lauren Webster, Hailey Glynn and Kate Armstrong tonight. All year girls have been looking for an opportunity to step up and we had multiple girls take advantage of those opportunities tonight."
Freshman leftfielder Hailey Glynn went 2-for-3 against Jacksonville State, scoring three runs to lead the Blazer offense. Lowman also went 2-for-3 with two runs.
"Hailey Glynn had two big hits in the third and the sixth for us," Townsend said. "For her to step in for an injury and contribute immediately is huge."
The Blazers remain in Birmingham to open conference play this weekend. UAB welcomes Tulsa to UAB Softball Field for a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m. CT and a game Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.
