The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Memphis
UAB Sweeps Doubleheader With Memphis
3/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 10, 2012
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mandy Lowman’s key three-run homer lifted UAB to a 3-1 victory against Memphis in the Conference USA series opener Saturday at the UAB Softball Field. The Blazers defeated the Tigers, 4-3, in the second game to complete the doubleheader sweep.
UAB (10-9, 2-0 C-USA) and Memphis (5-18, 0-2) will conclude the three-game series with a single contest Sunday at 1 p.m. CT at the UAB Softball Field.
Game 1: UAB 3, Memphis 1
The Blazers got off to a rocky start in Saturday’s opener, committing two errors in the first inning that gave Memphis the opportunity to score first. The Blazer defense pulled it together and held Memphis scoreless for the rest of the game.
“I thought the defense was solid after the first inning of the first game,” head coach Marla Townsend said. “We got out of some touchy situations.”
UAB took the lead in the fourth inning. Whitney Fletcher walked to lead off the inning and was moved to second on a Catherine Crawford single. Kayla Orr’s sacrifice bunt advanced the runners one more base.
With one out, cleanup hitter Mandy Lowman stepped to the plate and laced her fourth home run of the season over the left field wall, giving UAB the 3-1 lead.
Lannah Campbell (4-3) earned the win for the Blazers, after fanning a career-best 10 batters and allowing just one run in a complete-game effort.
Memphis pitcher Ellen Roberts (3-7) suffered the loss. She allowed three earned runs and struck out three batters in the contest.
Game 2: UAB 4, Memphis 3
The Tigers outhit the Blazers, 12-4, in the second contest, but it was two key hits that scored UAB three runs.
The Blazers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Fletcher doubled to lead off, advanced to third on a Sara Pearson wild pitch and scored on a passed ball.
With K. Orr on first and one out, Lowman stepped to the plate next and cranked her second homer of the day to right center, ending the day for Pearson (1-1) in the circle.
“We only had four hits, but two of those hits scored three runs,” Townsend said. “I think we made good adjustments when they brought the second pitcher in.”
Memphis scored two runs in the top of the second inning to cut UAB’s lead to one run, 3-2.
Fletcher added an insurance run in the fifth inning, taking a Jordan Richwood offering over the center field wall for her first home run as a Blazer.
With two on and two outs, Memphis threatened UAB’s 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh. Jessica Phillips singled to right field, scoring the runner on second. Pinch runner Kamri Chester tried to score the tying run, but was tagged out at home for the third and final out of the game.
UAB’s Leigh Streetman (3-3) was credited with the win. She pitched 6.2 innings, striking out six batters and walking none. Torres entered the game for the remaining out and earned her second save of the season.
“Our pitching staff did an excellent job with Lannah striking out a career-best 10 batters in the first game,” Townsend said. “Leigh went straight at them in the second game and didn’t allow a walk.
“We are going to make a few adjustments and hopefully come out tomorrow and win the day.”
