The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
UCF
UAB Sweeps UCF Doubleheader
3/9/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 9, 2013
UAB vs. UCF Fox Sports Clearances 
ORLANDO, Fla.--The UAB softball team opened the Conference USA schedule with a two-game sweep of UCF at the UCF Softball Complex.
"I'm proud of the way we came out today and executed every phase of the game," head coach Marla Townsend said. "It wasn't our best day, but we had some key hits at some crucial times from some people who have been struggling a little bit. I'm just proud of our resilience. I think we could have done a better job once we got people on base, we left a few too many on today, but we also caused UCF to leave people on base by outstanding defense."
With the wins, UAB improves to 10-5 on the year and 2-0 in league play. UCF drops to 14-11 and 0-2 in C-USA action.
Junior pitcher Lannah Campbell earned her second save of the season, throwing a pair of inning ending strikeouts after UCF loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning of game one.
"I'm proud of the pitching staff," Townsend said. "I thought they all did an excellent job. There are a few things we have to work on with their control on certain pitchers, but I'm pleased overall. Overall it was a total team effort, and every aspect of the game is clicking. The goal is to come out here tomorrow and win the day."
Game 1: UAB 5, UCF 1
Both sides were without a score for the first four innings of UAB's Conference USA opener with UCF. In the fifth inning, freshman shortstop Caitlin Attfield walked and was advanced to second on a ground out by sophomore left fielder Amy Dennis. Senior center fielder Whitney Fletcher then singled through the left side to score Attfield for the first run of the game.
UAB picked up two more runs in the top of the sixth frame as senior right fielder Chandler Orr was hit by a pitch to advance to first base. Junior first baseman Megan McGrath stepped up to the plate and hit her first home run over the season to center field.
The Knights scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth as shortstop Kahley Novak scored when third baseman Farrah Sullivan singled to the right side.
In the top of the seventh inning, Attfield reached on a bunt, while Dennis doubled to left field to put runners on second and third. Fletcher grounded out to UCF's second baseman, but was able to bring in the run. Junior designated hitter Kristen McGrath then reached on an error by the third baseman that allowed Dennis to score.
UCF threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning, starting with a single to right field by Mariah Garcia. Catcher Hayley Barrow walked, and junior pitcher Lannah Campbell entered the circle for senior
Lauren Webster (5-1). After a UCF groundout, the Knights loaded the bases, but Campbell was able to strike out the next two batters to end the game.
Webster and Campbell, who got the save, combined for nine strikeouts for the game, and only gave up one earned run.
Game 2: UAB 4, UCF 0
In the top of the fifth of game two, Orr started off the UAB scoring with a single through the left side, and was advanced to second by a sacrifice bunt by Armstrong. M. McGrath then singled to short to push Orr to third. Glynn came in to pinch run, while sophomore Hayley Davis came in to hit for sophomore second baseman Heather Pearson.
Glynn stole second on the first pitch of Davis' at bat, and Orr was scored when Davis singled to center field for UAB's first run of the game.
Attfield came in and singled through the left side after fouling off a pair of pitches for UAB's second run of the game.
In the top of the seventh inning, Pearson reached by a single to center field, while Attfield attempted to hit a sacrifice bunt, but reached by an error on UCF's second baseman when she failed to touch the bag for the tag. Dennis flied out to center field and advanced Pearson to third, while Attfield stole second on the next play. Fletcher's two-RBI single to right field scored the final two runs of the game.
Up next, UAB looks to take the series sweep over UCF, with Sunday's game set for an 11:30 a.m. ET first pitch. The game will be broadcast live nationally on Fox Sports Net.
