The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Southern Miss
UAB Softball Splits Doubleheader At Southern Miss Saturday
5/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 8, 2010
Game 1 Box Score | PDF Box Score 
Game 2 Box Score | PDF Box Score
HATTIESBURG, Miss. --- The UAB softball team split a doubleheader against Southern Miss Saturday afternoon at the USM Softball Complex. The Blazers (35-19, 14-9 C-USA) blasted 12 hits to claim the series opener, 7-1, before falling, 3-0, to the Golden Eagles (25-26, 7-16 C-USA) after a late three-run homer in the second game.
The Blazers broke two UAB single-season records Saturday. Shortstop Kayla Orr tallied her 40th RBI of the season, topping the previous RBI record of 39 held by Cliffanie Engram and Holly Krzan. Center fielder Martina Landrum notched her 98th total base to best Engram's previous record of 96.
Landrum led the Blazers offensively Saturday, going 5-for-6 with two runs and one RBI. The Sweet Water, Ala., product was also quick around the diamond with four steals to bring her season total to 34 stolen bases.
"Martina Landrum was outstanding today both at the plate and on the base paths," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "In the first game we did a great job manufacturing runs. The difference in the second game was that we had every opportunity to score first and just didn't take advantage."
Saturday's finale was a defensive battle as both teams were scoreless through the middle of the sixth and combined for just seven hits for the game.
In the bottom of the sixth, UAB pitcher Amber Torres (6-3) walked two batters before Southern Miss designated player Jill Mathis launched a long ball to left-center to give the Golden Eagles the late 3-0 lead.
Torres suffered the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in six innings of work. Southern Miss pitcher Courtney Ramos (9-10) picked up the win after holding UAB to three hits, no earned runs and fanning seven batters.
The Blazers threatened to score in the top of the fifth after loading the bases on two walks and a single by Landrum, but all three were left on.
UAB came out swinging in the first game, out-hitting Southern Miss, 12-7, and tallying seven runs.
Freshman pitcher Lauren Webster (17-5) played well on both sides of the ball Saturday. At the plate, the Mathews, Ala., product went 2-for-3 with two RBI. In the circle, Webster held the Golden Eagles scoreless through the fourth, and allowed just one earned run.
Landrum opened the series with a hit to right field. Landrum stole second, moved to third on a fly out by third baseman Cameron Skates and crossed the plate on a Southern Miss miscue.
In the third, Skates knocked a base hit followed by a Mandy Lowman walk. Orr then launched a shot to right-center to plate Skates. Webster smacked an RBI infield single to increase the Blazer lead to, 3-0.
Southern Miss pitcher Gabby Luciani (10-11) allowed five hits and three runs in 2.2 innings of work before Beth Dietrich took over in the circle. Dietrich gave up seven hits and four runs, three of which were earned.
Landrum notched her second hit to open the fourth frame. The speedy senior scored from second on an error by Southern Miss second baseman Lauren Castellvi.
With two outs in the top of the fifth, Landrum blasted a triple to right-center to score right fielder Sallie Van Kirk and increase the Blazer lead to, 5-0.
Southern Miss right fielder Megan Hill launched a homer over the left field fence in the bottom of the fifth to put the Golden Eagles' lone run on the board.
The Blazers collected two additional runs in the sixth to claim the 7-1 win.
UAB will conclude its series with Southern Miss Sunday with a contest at 1 p.m. CT. Blazers fans can follow the action through Gametracker at uabsports.com.
