The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Florida Atlantic
UAB Tops FAU, 4-2, To Claim C-USA Series
3/16/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 16, 2014
Box Score | Final Stats | Highlight Video
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Megan McGrath launched her second home run of UAB’s Conference USA home-opening series to lift the Blazers to a 4-2 win over the Florida Atlantic Owls on Sunday at the UAB Softball Field as UAB won the series, 2-1.
The senior hit the go-ahead home run in the Blazers’ sixth inning, her third home run of the homestand and second in as many days, to give the Blazers the series deciding victory.
"Megan (McGrath) battled and stayed on a ball and absolutely hit a shot," head coach Marla Townsend said. "Everytime she has the opportunity to step up to the plate she can be a game changer."
The Owls outhit UAB in all three games, including totaling six hits on Sunday to the Blazers’ four, but UAB left just three on base and took advantage of run-scoring opportunities. Kristen McGrath finished the day 2-for-3, while her sister Megan, and Ashley Johnson both added hits.
Amy Dennis finished with one RBI while Megan McGrath had three to lead the Blazers. Senior Leigh Streetman picked up her fifth-straight win to improve to 11-6 on the season after tossing a six-hit complete game – her third-straight and fourth in a row in games she has started in. She struck out four Owls, walked just one and allowed two runs.
"Leigh pitched an amazing game and did a great job of mixing it up from them seeing her in seven innings yesterday and coming back today mixing in the pitches to include the changeup," Townsend said. "I think we're still improving; we haven't played our best ball yet, but with hard work we're going to get there."
UAB will return to action on Tuesday and step away from home for a midweek contest at Jacksonville State in a 6 p.m. first pitch.
UAB 4, Florida Atlantic 2
UAB drew three walks in the opening frame and got a sacrifice fly to take an early 2-0 lead in the first. Following a groundout from Attfield, Pearson walked then Kristen McGrath singled to right. Warren and Dennis both walked to plate UAB’s first run, and Megan McGrath totaled the second of the inning on a sacrifice fly to center to score Theriot.
The Owls would tie the score at 2-2 in their half of the fourth on a double to right-center from Jordan Stovall.
UAB wouldn’t score from the second through fifth innings, but broke through in a crucial situation in the sixth to lift the Blazers over the Owls. With Amy Dennis on first following a fielder’s choice, Megan McGrath launched a two-run shot to left field to plate two UAB runs and cap the scoring at 4-2.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account, @UABathletics. For an in-depth look into the UAB softball program and in-game updates, follow @UABsoftball on Twitter and Instagram.
