The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Chattanooga
UAB Softball Splits Doubleheader With Chattanooga
4/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 14, 2010
Game 1 Box Score | PDF Box Score 
Game 2 Box Score | PDF Box Score
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The UAB softball team split a doubleheader at Chattanooga Wednesday night. The Blazers claimed the first game, 3-1, and were edged, 2-1, in the night cap despite leading, 1-0, through five innings.
Centerfielder Martina Landrum knocked a base hit to start the second game for UAB (26-13). The Sweet Water, Ala., product then stole second and advanced to third after the catcher overthrew second in an attempt to catch her stealing. Catcher Mandy Lowman hit a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Landrum and give the Blazers the 1-0 advantage.
Chattanooga (32-10) had a runner on third with two outs in the fifth, but Lowman picked her off with a toss to Kayla Orr at third to end the inning.
Neither team scored again until the bottom of the sixth, when Chattanooga third baseman Tiffany Baker launched a two-run long ball to take the 2-1 lead.
"I'm proud of the way the girls played today," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "I felt like we played hard for seven innings both games. I think a lot of small facets of the game showed up that we need to work on improving, so we come out on top in future close games."
Although UAB pitcher Lauren Webster (12-5) held the Lady Mocs scoreless for five innings and surrendered just four hits, the freshman took the loss after giving up two runs.
In Wednesday's opener, Chattanooga put the first run on the board in the first after third baseman Tiffany Baker belted an RBI-single up the middle.
UAB first baseman Erica Sisson was hit by a pitch to start the third inning. Rightfielder Sallie Van Kirk followed by laying down a sacrifice bunt, but reached first after Chattanooga's second baseman dropped the ball. Landrum followed by also laying down a sacrifice bunt to advance pinch runner Maegan Hornsby to third. A sacrifice fly by leftfielder Caley Walden plated Hornsby to even the score.
Chattanooga threatened in the bottom of the inning with two runners in scoring position, but Alisha Smith retired catcher Brittany Eason to escape the inning.
The Blazers took the lead after Orr blasted her third long ball of the season to left field in the fourth.
"Chattanooga's a well-coached team that's sitting up at the top of their conference," Townsend said. "Both teams played well on both sides of the ball."
UAB tacked on another run in the fifth after Walden reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and rounded the diamond on a single by Lowman to give UAB the 3-1 lead.
Lady Mocs pitcher Brooke Loudermilk (16-6) gave up four hits and allowed three runs, two earned, in 4.2 innings of work, before Kandice Irwin stepped in and held the Blazers hitless in the final two innings.
The Blazer defense played tough behind Smith, holding Chattanooga scoreless after the first inning, and forcing them to leave nine on base. Smith (9-7) allowed just one earned run while fanning seven batters.
UAB returns home this weekend to host C-USA leader UCF for a three-game series. The action gets underway Saturday at UAB Softball Field with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. CT.
