The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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Houston
UAB Softball Run-Rules Houston To Sweep Weekend Series
4/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 3, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Senior Martina Landrum's grand slam capped off an eight-run first inning in the UAB softball team's 11-3 win over Houston Saturday to sweep the series at UAB Softball Field.
"Our goal was to come out and take the series, and we knew that the key to doing that was hitting well from the top to bottom of our lineup," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said.
With the win, UAB improved to 20-9 for the season and 6-3 in Conference USA play. The Blazers' 3-0 record over the weekend marks just the second time that UAB has swept a series with Houston; the last time was in 2002.
The Blazers came out swinging in the first, with Landrum leading off with a double down the leftfield line. Junior Caley Walden followed with a bunt, and senior Cameron Skates belted an RBI-single.
With the bases loaded, Houston pitcher Amanda Crabtree (6-9) walked in both Skates and sophomore Kayla Orr to give UAB a 3-0 advantage. Landrum stepped up to the plate again in the first and blasted her first career grand slam to bring the Blazer run tally to eight.
Orr led UAB offensively, going 4-for-4 with one run and three RBI. The top three hitters in the Blazer lineup, Landrum, Walden and Skates, all went 2-for-4 with two runs Sunday, and combined for six RBI.
Houston (18-19, 5-7 C-USA) took advantage of Blazer miscues in the third to plate both centerfielder Ashleigh Jones and leftfielder Katy Beth Sherman. The Cougars tacked on another run in the sixth after catcher Melissa Gregson homered to right centerfield.
The Blazers mercy-ruled the Cougars in the sixth after Walden knocked an RBI-single and advanced to second on the throw, and Skates smacked her 12th double of the season to score Walden. With UAB up seven runs, Orr blasted a hit that fell just shy of a home run and bounced off the left field wall to score Skates and end the game.
"Last year we went to Houston and played them tight, but they swept the series," Townsend said. "Us doing the same to them this year is a reflection of our athletes doing all the little things we ask them to do to be successful."
Sophomore Amber Torres (5-1) was strong in the circle for the Blazers, holding the Cougars to just two earned runs and only allowing one inning that saw more than four Houston batters.
"Amber came in and did an outstanding job hitting her spots today," Townsend said. "She and Mandy worked well together."
Up next for the Blazers is a doubleheader with Kennesaw State Monday at UAB Softball Field. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. CT.
