The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
South Alabama
UAB Softball Drops 2-1 Decision To South Alabama
4/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 7, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Although the UAB softball team led 1-0 through five innings, the Blazers fell to South Alabama, 2-1, Wednesday evening at UAB Softball Field.
The Jaguars tallied two runs in the sixth to improve to 16-15 overall, while UAB lost for just the first time in its last six games to fall to 22-10 overall and remain at 6-3 in C-USA play.
"What disappoints me the most is that we didn't give ourselves a chance in the seventh because we watched hittable strikes go by," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "It was a good game, usually in these tight games we've come out on top, but we didn't give ourselves the opportunity to succeed today because we failed to swing the bat."
In the second inning, UAB catcher Mandy Lowman reached on a Jaguar fielding error. Pinch runner Tiffany Smith then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Kayla Orr. Second baseman Kate Armstrong followed with a double down the left field line to plate UAB's lone run of the game.
Tough UAB defense held South Alabama scoreless through the fifth inning. The Blazers' starting pitcher, Amber Torres, surrendered just one hit in five innings of work, while retiring three batters.
Jaguar third baseman Christin Crocker reached on a fielding error by Orr in the sixth. Rightfielder Haley Hopkins knocked a triple to score Crocker, and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by catcher Marissa Boyd to take the 2-1 lead.
"A good team like South Alabama is going to score when you have an error and an extra base hit in the same inning," Townsend said.
In the bottom of the sixth, Lowman walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but was left on. UAB still had an opportunity to score in the final inning after designated player Catherine Douglass knocked a base hit, but three strikeouts doomed the Blazers.
"Although I was not pleased with the fact that we weren't swinging our bats in the seventh, three out of our four batters that inning were freshmen and they were all underclassmen," Townsend. "Although they were unable to come through for us today, they are talented athletes and I am confident that they will all help us out of a jam at some point in their careers."
Junior pitcher Alisha Smith (7-6) took the loss for the Green and Gold after giving up two runs, one of which was earned, despite registering four strikeouts in two innings, while Jaguar pitcher Beth Pilgrim improved to 12-7 after retiring six Blazer batters and giving up just one run.
The Blazers continue their stretch of ten games in nine days Thursday, with a contest at Jacksonville State. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at University Field.
