The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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USF
UAB Softball Downs USF 6-2 In Friday Nightcap
2/18/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 18, 2011
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- UAB's bats came alive in its nightcap Friday as the Blazer softball team downed USF, 6-2, at the USF Tournament at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
The Blazers outhit the Bulls, 9-2, in the win. Second baseman Natalie Mitchell led the Blazer offensive attack, hitting 2-for-3 with one run and three RBI. Third baseman Kate Armstrong also posted two hits with one run and one RBI.
"I thought we did an excellent job of being aggressive at the plate," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "Lauren came in and pitched a great game and then Amber came into a tough situation and did a great job. To have nine solid hits, it's exciting. I think we are going to take a lot more from that game than just the win. It was an opportunity for us to gel as a team and overcome the adversity of the first game."
The Blazers (3-4) jumped out to the early 1-0 lead after Armstrong belted a double down the leftfield line to score Caley Walden.
In the bottom of the inning, Alisha Smith faced four batters before Lauren Webster took over. Webster (2-2) was dominant in the circle, giving up just one earned run and retiring four runners in five innings pitched. Amber Torres tossed the final 1.1 innings, allowing no hits.
In the second frame, Erica Sisson tripled to open the inning. Mitchell followed with a double to plate Sisson. Sallie Van Kirk then hit a RBI-single and scored on a play started by a Catherine Douglass fielder's choice to give the Blazers the 4-0 advantage.
The Green and Gold collected a pair of runs in the third. Kayla Orr and Armstrong opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Mandy Lowman laid down a sacrifice bunt to move them into scoring position before Mitchell blasted a two-RBI single to centerfield to increase UAB's lead to 6-0.
USF (4-3) put its first run on the board in the fourth after Janine Richardson singled and stole two consecutive bases before crossing the plate on a groundout by Erin Bly. The Bulls tacked on another run in the sixth after Gina Kafalas crossed the plate on a fielding error by Orr.
Lindsey Richardson (2-2) took the loss for USF after giving up three earned runs and four hits in one inning pitched. Brittany Bowles pitched the remainder of the game, allowing two earned runs and five hits.
UAB continues tournament action Saturday. The Blazers face Ole Miss at 12:30 p.m. ET, followed by a contest against DePaul at 3 p.m. ET.
