The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Marshall
UAB Sweeps Doubleheader at Marshall
3/23/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 23, 2012
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The UAB softball team swept the Marshall Thundering Herd in a doubleheader on Friday at Dot Hicks Fields in dramatic fashion. The Blazers (18-11, 5-0 C-USA) came from behind to win the first game, 3-2, before defeating the Herd (17-13, 5-3 C-USA) in five innings, 8-0, in game two.
UAB and Marshall will conclude the three-game series with a single contest on Saturday scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
Game 1 : UAB 3, Marshall 2
The Blazers struck first in the first frame of the game thanks to a solo shot over the left field wall by senior Catherine Crawford.
The Thundering Herd had an opportunity to take the lead in the second inning with runners on second and third and one out. Jazmine Valle reached base on a hit by pitch and Bri Anna Hope singled. The runners moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Melissa Loesing. The Blazers escaped the inning getting the next two batters out, forcing a pop up and ground out.
It was the third inning when Marshall would capitalize and score both of its runs. Taylor Thompson and Alianna Telles hit back-to-back doubles with no outs to tie the game at one. Valle hit an RBI single through the left side to score the go ahead run, 2-1.
Marshall held the lead until the top of the seventh inning. With two outs, UAB designated hitter Kristen McGrath singled to left field. Amber Torres entered the game as the pinch runner for K. McGrath. Pinch hitter Megan McGrath stepped up to the plate and belted the first pitch over the left field wall for a two-run homer, giving UAB the final 3-2 advantage.
The Herd threatened to even the score in the bottom of the frame. Alysia Hively walked to first and was moved to second on a bunt by Thompson. The runners moved to second and third on a ground out by Telles. With two outs and runners in scoring position, UAB pitcher Amber Torres fanned pinch hitter Taylor Winton to claim the win.
Torres (2-2) pitched the last 3.0 innings after relieving starter Leigh Streetman. Andi Williamson (12-7) suffered the loss for Marshall, giving up three runs on four hits with eight strike outs.
Game 2: UAB 8, Marshall 0 (5)
The Blazer bats kept rolling in game two as UAB scored four runs in the first inning and four more runs in the third inning.
In the top of the first frame, the Blazers scored four runs on five hits and batted through the order.
The Herd went through three pitching changes in the first inning. Starter Natalee Pulver was relieved by Erika Bennett, who threw two pitches and was replaced by Jessica Ferrick. Pulver (4-5) suffered the loss for the Herd.
In the top of the third inning, after two more runs scored to give UAB a 6-0 lead, the game was paused for 30 minutes due to heavy rain fall. The Blazers picked back up where they left off and drove in two additional runs for the 8-0 win.
Starter Lannah Campbell (8-4) allowed just two hits and three base runners in the contest. The first Herd batter to reach base was in the third inning.
With two outs and two runners on base in the third inning, UAB second baseman Lauren Webster came up big with an over-her-head diving catch in shallow center field to preserve the shutout.
Catcher Mandy Lowman went 3-for-4 in the game with three RBI and one run scored, while shortstop Heather Pearson went 3-for-3 with two RBI and one run.
