The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
UNC Greensboro
UAB Softball Defeats UNCG, Falls To Georgia Tech Sunday
3/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 6, 2011
WOODSTOCK, Ga. -- The UAB softball team prevailed in a back and forth scoring battle Sunday afternoon to defeat UNC Greensboro 8-7, but then fell to Georgia Tech 8-0 to conclude the Buzz Classic held at the Twin Creeks Softball Complex.
The Blazers went 3-1 over the weekend to move to 13-7 overall.
Senior pitcher Alisha Smith was named to the Buzz Classic All-Tournament Team after picking up a pair of victories and not allowing an earned run in three appearances during the tournament. The Springville, Ala., product surrendered seven hits and struck out 14 batters in 13.1 innings in the circle.
Game 2
In the nightcap, Georgia Tech jumped out to the early 2-0 lead in the third after Kate Kuzma knocked a two-RBI single. Hope Rush blasted a solo home run in the fourth to tack on another run for the Yellow Jackets.
In the fifth frame, Kelsi Weseman launched a long ball and Rush hit her second home run of the game, this time a two-run homer to give Georgia Tech the 6-0 advantage. The Yellow Jackets added on a pair of runs in the seventh on a wild pitch and a RBI-groundout to claim the 8-0 win.
Georgia Tech pitcher Kristen Adkins (6-2) picked up the win after tossing five innings in the circle, only giving up three hits and no earned runs. Rush started as the designated player but then stepped in to pitch the final two innings. Rush went 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs and three RBI to lead Georgia Tech offensively.
Leigh Streetman (3-3) took the loss for the Blazers after allowing six earned runs on six hits in 4.1 innings in the circle. Alisha Smith pitched the final 2.2 frames, only allowing one hit and no earned runs.
Catherine Douglass, Kate Armstrong and Kristen McGrath had the Blazers' three hits in the contest, as the Yellow Jackets outhit UAB, 7-3. Both teams left six runners on base for the game.
Game 1
In the first game, UAB jumped out to an early lead over UNC Greensboro in the second after Donna Plath belted a three-run homer over the leftfield wall. Sallie Van Kirk stole home and Kayla Orr knocked a RBI-single to give the Blazers the 5-0 advantage.
UNCG's Jordan Jewett hit a two-RBI double in the third inning to put the Spartans' first two runs on the board. UNCG then took advantage of five Blazer errors to put five more runs on the board and claim the 7-5 lead in the fifth.
The Blazers plated one run in the sixth on a RBI-double by Douglass, then scored a pair of runs in the seventh after UNCG pitcher Cory Mattson walked in a run with the bases loaded and Van Kirk hit a RBI-single.
Caley Walden and Van Kirk led UAB at the plate, both registering two hits apiece and combining for three runs. Jewett and Tori MacReynolds both went 3-for-4 to lead UNCG's offense.
Amber Torres made the start for the UAB and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs. Smith (3-1) tossed the final 3.2 and ultimately picked up the win.
UNCG starting pitcher Josie Felix gave up four earned runs, but Cory Mattson (3-7) picked up the loss after allowing four more earned runs in the final five innings.
UAB returns to Birmingham to host Lipscomb for a doubleheader Tuesday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. CT at UAB Softball Field.
