The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Lipscomb
UAB Softball Splits Doubleheader At Lipscomb
4/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 20, 2010
Game 1 Box Score | PDF Box Score 
Game 2 Box Score | PDF Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- The UAB softball team split a doubleheader at Lipscomb Tuesday after prevailing in a back-and-forth battle of the bats and claiming the nightcap, 7-5. The Blazers fell, 1-0, in the opener after failing to get a hit.
UAB (29-15) turned things around in the second game, tallying three runs in the first frame. With two outs, third baseman Cameron Skates blasted her fifth long ball of the season. Catcher Mandy Lowman knocked a base hit, followed by a Kayla Orr double. Pitcher Lauren Webster then belted a two-RBI single to give the Blazers the 3-0 advantage.
The Lady Bisons (28-10) retaliated in the second with shortstop Courtney Billington smacking a double to open the inning. Third baseman Christen Campbell reached second on a Blazer miscue and scored Billington. Catcher Mollie Mitchell then launched a two-run homer to tie the game.
In the third, Lowman walked and Orr knocked a base hit before second baseman Maegan Hornsby's two-out lightning propelled the Blazers to a 6-3 lead.
"We played a tough Lipscomb team today," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "Did we play our best? Absolutely not, but we came through with some solid defense and key hits in the second game."
The Blazers tacked on another run in the fifth after Orr notched another base hit, moved to second on a ground out by Webster and rounded the diamond on a Hornsby single to left field.
Lipscomb added a pair of runs in the sixth after Mitchell blasted her second long ball of the game down the left field line. Whitney Kiihnl then reached on a Blazer miscue, stole second and moved to third on a ground out by Lauren Dortwegt. A single by Mackenzie Tucker plated Kiihnl to narrow the Blazer lead to, 7-5.
The Lady Bisons threatened in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on base, but freshman pitcher Webster (14-5) caught right fielder Caroline Mason looking to clinch the Blazer victory. Webster retired five batters and gave up three earned runs in the win.
Lipscomb pitcher Kihnl (25-2) threw a no-hitter against UAB in the first game. The Blazers had three runners reach base on walks, but all were left on.
Lipscomb's leadoff hitter Dortwegt notched two of the Lady Bisons' seven hits. In the first, the senior center fielder reached on an overthrow by Skates to first and advanced to second while the ball was being recovered. An RBI-single by second baseman Abby Keese plated Dortwegt to record the only run of the game.
Sophomore pitcher Amber Torres worked the Blazers out of a jam in the sixth, stepping in with two runners on base and forcing a ground out and a strike out to end the inning. The Blazers were unable to threaten a comeback in the seventh after Kiihnl retired three consecutive batters.
Junior Alisha Smith (10-8) tossed five solid innings for the Blazers, allowing five hits, issuing just one walk and one unearned run.
Although the UAB defense was plagued by miscues, the Blazers held the Lady Bisons scoreless after the first and forced them to leave nine on base.
The Blazers will be back in action Wednesday night against cross-town rival Samford. UAB will travel to Bulldog Field for a contest at 6 p.m. CT.
