The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
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UTEP
Blazers' Timely Hitting Leads To Doubleheader Sweep Of UTEP
4/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 2, 2011
Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
Game One Box Score in PDF Format 
| Game Two Box Score in PDF Format
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A key home run for the UAB softball team in game one and a nine-run inning in game two lifted the Blazers to a doubleheader sweep of the UTEP Miners on Saturday afternoon at UAB Softball Field. UAB (26-9, 10-1 C-USA) claimed the first game, 3-1, and completed the afternoon with an 11-4 victory in game two.
"For this team to fight back in both games, but especially after being down three runs in the second one, showed a lot of resiliency," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "We had some defensive mishaps and (the Miners) took advantage, but I was proud of the way we stayed focused at the plate and battled back."
Third baseman Kate Armstrong finished the day 4-for-5 with three RBI, while catcher Mandy Lowman was 3-for-6 with three RBI. Rightfielder Sallie Van Kirk also drove in three runs and scored twice on the day.
In game one, the two teams remained scoreless until the top of the third when UTEP (16-21, 1-7 C-USA) took advantage of a UAB miscue to plate the game's first run. Miner shortstop Samantha Alvillar reached on a throwing error to leadoff the inning and eventually scored on designated player Kayla Black's sacrifice fly to right field.
The Blazers tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on designated player Kristen McGrath's third home run of the season. With one out, McGrath blasted an 0-1 pitch over the outfield netting to make it 1-1.
Armstrong and Lowman each drove in runs in the bottom of the fifth to break up the tie. After Van Kirk and centerfielder Caley Walden took back-to-back walks to open the inning, shortstop Kayla Orr singled to load the bases. Armstrong followed with a sacrifice fly to right field before Lowman's RBI single gave UAB an insurance run at 3-1.
Blazer pitcher Leigh Streetman (7-4) picked up the victory, going to the distance while allowing no earned runs, four hits and fanning eight. UTEP starter Laura Ramos (2-4) took the loss, tossing six innings and giving up three earned runs on five hits.
The Miners again took advantage of Blazers miscues in game two to take the early lead. UTEP used a pair of UAB errors to score three runs in the third, all of which came with two outs.
The Blazers returned the favor in the bottom half of the inning, using a UTEP error to pull within a run. Leftfielder Catherine Douglass ripped a double to right field then Orr reached on an error to put runners at the corners with one out. That's when UAB used a perfect squeeze from Armstrong to get on the board, as UTEP was unable to make any play while Douglass sped home, Orr advanced to third and Armstrong was credited with an RBI single. Lowman followed with a deep fly to left that plated Orr and made it 3-2.
A pair of singles in the fifth gave the Miners a 4-2 cushion. Centerfielder Becky Smith singled and later scored on Ramos' base-knock up the middle.
UAB busted the game open in the bottom of the fifth, scoring nine runs, all with two outs in the inning, to take an 11-4 lead. Van Kirk drove in three of those runs with a double, while Armstrong scored twice in the inning. Overall, five different Blazers drove in a run and six different Blazers crossed the plate in the inning.
Alisha Smith (7-1) earned the game-two win after pitching seven innings and allowing just one earned run while striking out five. Courtney Auger (8-10) suffered the loss, allowing nine earned runs with just two strikeouts.
The two teams wrap up the series on Sunday at UAB Softball Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. CT.
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