The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Nicholls State
Softball Tops Nicholls At Magic City Classic
3/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 1, 2013
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--Senior catcher Anna Kimbrell hit her fifth home run of the season as UAB softball won its Magic City Classic opener, 4-1, over Nicholls State on Friday at the UAB Softball Field.
"We were a little rusty, haven't played in 10 days, so obviously it took us a while to get going," head coach Marla Townsend said. "There were some things we've been working on that we didn't necessarily execute. I'm proud of them for battling through and coming up with some hits. We got the runs early, and Anna Kimbrell came back later in the game to get that home run to cap it off."
The Blazers improve to 7-4 on the season, and Nicholls falls to 7-8 overall.
Senior pitcher Lauren Webster had 12 strikeouts on the day, with at least one in each of the first six innings, including three straight in the second. With the win, Webster improves to 3-1 on the season.
"I think Lauren pitched a great game," Townsend said. "There are a lot of things that she's been working on that she executed today. I'm glad we're back out here. It's a matter of just fixing a few little things we need to clean up."
UAB got its first run across in the bottom of the first inning, as sophomore Amy Dennis was scored on junior Kristen McGrath's grounder to short.
Senior Chandler Orr recorded the Blazers' second run of the day when she was scored on an error by the Nicholls second basemen in the second inning.
Nicholls scored its lone run of the game in the fourth inning as Ashton Bennett ran home after a UAB defensive miscue at first base.
In the fourth inning, Kate Armstrong reached on an error by the Colonels' third baseman and was brought home on a bunt single by Caitlin Attfield to put the Blazers up 3-1.
UAB's final run of the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Kimbrell hit a solo home run over the left field fence. Kimbrell now has hit a team-high five homers this season.
Up next, the Blazers will face South Alabama on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT before seeing Magic City Classic co-host Samford. First pitch of the second game is tentatively scheduled for 5 p.m. CT. Follow @UABSoftball on Twitter for in-game updates.
