The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Split Doubleheader With East Carolina
3/16/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 16, 2013
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Junior designated hitter Kristen McGrath hit her seventh home run of the season as UAB topped East Carolina, 7-4, to gain a split Saturday in a softball doubleheader at the UAB Softball Field.
The Pirates won the first game, 4-2, on the strength of a three-run fourth inning.
"If you look at the first game, we were hitting the ball well," head coach Marla Townsend said. "East Carolina was just making the plays, and that's where you have to adjust a little bit more and work gap to gap. I felt like we had great performance at the plate, both games, but I would have liked to see us score more than in just the first two innings of the second game."
UAB is now 12-6 on the season and 4-1 in Conference USA play while East Carolina is 9-16 and 1-1 in league play.
"We gave up a few walks, a few errors, and that's something we need to clean up on, because it lets a good team like ECU get in the ball game and stay in the ball game," Townsend said. "Tomorrow, we need to come out with the same approach at the plate, being aggressive, looking for something to drive."
Game 1
East Carolina 4, UAB 2
In the first game of the series, East Carolina struck first with three runs in the fourth inning, and then added a final run in the top of the seventh of UAB's 4-2 loss.
UAB attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning as senior outfielder Chandler Orr started things off with a single to left field. Senior third baseman Kate Armstrong followed with a base hit of her own, to right field.
Sophomore Hayley Davis entered to pinch hit after a Blazer strikeout and singled to right field to score
Orr from second, but was called out when she attempted to steal second base. Freshman Kelly Britt, in to pinch run for Armstrong, stood at third and then stole home while the Pirates had the ball outside the circle.
For the game, Armstrong was a perfect three-for-three at the palte, while the Blazers actually out-hit the Pirates, 8-7.
Game 2
UAB 7, East Carolina 4
The Blazers used seven runs on 11 hits to take game two of the series, 7-4.
Freshman shortstop Caitlin Attfield started things off for UAB with a bunt single, and was scored on the next play when sophomore Amy Dennis doubled down the left field line. With Dennis on second base, junior Kristen McGrath hit her seventh home run of the season through center field.
With two outs on the board, Orr hit a bunt single that stuck in front of the catcher, and was advanced to second base when Armstrong was hit by pitch. Junior first baseman Megan McGrath then singled up the middle to score Orr for the fourth run of the inning.
Davis walked to load the bases for UAB, and the Blazers recorded their fifth run of the inning when Attfield was walked and Armstrong returned home from third base.
In the second inning, K. McGrath was walked and senior Hailey Glynn entered to pinch run. Senior catcher Anna Kimbrell doubled to center field, and advanced to third as Glynn ran home on a throwing error by ECU's shortstop.
UAB's seventh and final run of the game was scored when Armstrong singled to left field to score Kimbrell from second.
East Carolina scored four runs in the top of the fourth frame via a Blazer error at second base.
The Pirates threatened in the top of the seventh, drawing a walk to start the inning before recording a single to short. Junior pitcher Lannah Campbell then entered the game, and after allowing a single to left field that loaded the bases, struck out the next two batters. A liner to third base ended the scoring threat and the game.
Streetman was credited with the win, her sixth of the year, while Campbell recorded her fourth save.
UAB will attempt to win the series with East Carolina Sunday, with the finale set for an 11 a.m. CT first pitch. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net with Bruce Howard and Amanda Scarborough on the call.
