The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Houston
UAB Softball Sweeps Doubleheader With Houston Friday
4/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 2, 2010
Game 1 Box Score | PDF Box Score 
Game 2 Box Score | PDF Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The UAB softball team swept its doubleheader with Conference USA foe Houston Friday at UAB Softball Field. The Blazers snapped their 10-game losing streak with the Cougars after edging them, 3-2, in the first game, and belting 11 hits to down them, 8-2, in the second game.
In the second game Friday, sophomore catcher Mandy Lowman led UAB (19-9, 5-3 C-USA) offensively, after going 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBI. Cameron Skates, Lauren Webster and Catherine Douglass all went 2-for-3 and combined for three runs and three RBI.
"After eight days off, our girls were rested and hungry for wins," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "I'm very proud of the way they came out ready to play. It was a true team effort today."
Houston (18-18, 5-6 C-USA) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after leftfielder Katy Beth Sherman and second baseman Mary Tyler Dobson crossed the plate for the Cougars on base hits by designated player Reina Gaber and shortstop Brooke Lathan.
UAB answered in the bottom of the first after Lowman blasted a two-run homer to tie the game. The long ball was the Huntsville, Ala., native's eighth of the season.
Junior leftfielder Caley Walden knocked a triple to start the third inning for the Blazers. Skates followed with an RBI-single, and Lowman crossed on a fielder's choice by Webster to increase UAB's lead to 4-2.
The Blazer bats heated up again in the fourth as UAB tacked on four runs on four hits. Webster kicked off the inning with a double to right center, followed by a Douglass bunt. Landrum singled to score Webster, followed by a two-RBI base hit by Lowman.
"We put hits together today and have continued to improve our presence at the plate," Townsend said. "We also played well defensively. Houston's a strong hitting team and to hold them to only two runs in both games is quite an accomplishment."
Webster (9-3) fanned seven batters and only allowed the Cougars two earned runs in the win.
In the first game Friday, Orr knocked a base hit for the Blazers in the second, stole second and crossed the plate on a double by first baseman Erica Sisson to give UAB the early 1-0 advantage.
UAB tacked on two more runs in the fourth after designated player Kate Armstrong belted her third long ball of the season and second baseman Natalie Mitchell tallied a base hit. Sisson then smacked an RBI-double and scored on a sacrifice fly by centerfielder Martina Landrum.
Junior pitcher Alisha Smith (6-5) was a force in the circle for the Blazers during the first five innings, striking out nine batters. Webster stepped in after the Cougars plated a run in the sixth, with the tying runs on base. Although Houston scored another run, Webster preserved UAB's lead to pick up her third save of the season.
"Both Lauren and Alisha did an outstanding job today," Townsend said. "Both had nine strikeouts, hit their spots and really trusted their defense."
The Blazers will conclude their three-game series with the Cougars Saturday, with a contest at 11 a.m. CT at UAB Softball Field.
