The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Kennesaw State
UAB Baseball Falls At Kennesaw State In Midweek Action
2/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 22, 2011
KENNESAW, Ga. -- Runs were hard to come by for both UAB and Kennesaw State in Tuesday's midweek baseball game. The Owls, though, managed to push enough of them across to hand the Blazers a 3-1 loss at Stillman Stadium.
UAB (1-3) found the scoreboard first with a second-inning run but then watched Kennesaw State (4-0) score single runs in each of the next three frames as the Owls remained unbeaten on the season.
Four Kennesaw State pitchers combined to allow only five hits, helping the Owls snap a three-game losing streak to UAB. The Blazers stranded nine runners on the night, including five in scoring position. KSU starter Travis Dean earned the win, allowing one run in four innings, and J.B. Johnson picked up the save with a scoreless ninth.
"They pitched well, and we're having a hard time getting the barrel on the ball right now," UAB head coach Brian Shoop said. "But hitting is contagious, so hopefully we can get home, get in a comfort zone and get it going."
Harry Clark drove in the Blazers' second-inning run with a sacrifice fly after Michael Busby was hit by a pitch and Patrick Palmeiro doubled. Palmeiro went 2-for-4 to lead the Blazers at the plate.
UAB then moved a runner to third base in each of the next three frames, including loading the bases in the fifth, but there were two outs in each situation and the Blazers weren't able to push anything across.
UAB pitchers surrendered only seven hits on the night, but Kennesaw State made them count, scoring two of their runs with two-out hits.
Will Howard brought home the Owls' first run of the night on a two-out triple in the third inning, tying the game at 1-1. Drew Fowlkes put Kennesaw State on top with an RBI single in the fourth, and Ronnie Freeman extended the lead in the fifth with a two-out RBI single.
Fowlkes, Aaron Dobbs and Andy Chriscaden led Kennesaw State with two hits each, while Freeman hit safely for the 33rd straight game to remain tied for the nation's longest active hitting streak.
UAB reliever Trey Waltman allowed the last two Kennesaw State runs and was charged with the loss. David Hayes made the start for the Blazers and allowed one run on two hits in three innings. Ben Bullard and Ryan Nance also pitched for UAB, combining to hold the Owls without a run over their final three at-bats to keep the Blazers within striking distance.
UAB now returns to Birmingham and will play at home for the first time this weekend. The Blazers host Xavier in a three-game series at Young Memorial Field with game one slated for Friday at 3 p.m. CT.
