The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Savannah State
Blazers Walk-Off In 2-1 Win Over Savannah State
2/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Tyler Mims stepped in with the bases loaded and no outs and drilled a pinch-hit RBI right back to the pitcher to give UAB baseball a 2-1 win over Savannah State Friday afternoon at Regions Field.
"Really well-pitched game on both ends," head coach Brian Shoop said. "When it's in the 20-degree range, it's an advantage to the pitchers and runs are usually at a premium on this day. They didn't make any errors, we didn't make any errors, it just makes it hard to score. We had a chance early off their guy and didn't take advantage and he settled in pretty good."
Alex Luna worked another solid outing on the hill for the Blazers (4-0), going eight innings with just two hits allowed, one earned run and eight strikeouts.
Freshman Brett Blackwood, after hitting a home run in his first collegiate at-bat last Friday in the season opener, went 2-for-4 including a triple in the ninth to setup the bases-loaded single for Mims.
After Blackwood delivered a shot to left-center on the first pitch of his at-bat to lead-off the ninth, Savannah State (3-2) reliever Rex Davis intentionally walked Adam Lau and Mitch Williams to load the bases with no outs. That's when Mims stepped in to pinch-hit for Evan Peterson, firing a single right back to the Tigers' Michael Sailors to plate game winning run.
"Luna was outstanding for us, and (Charles) Sikes for them that drove in the tying run is the Preseason MEAC Player of the Year for a reason and he's a good hitter," Shoop said. "We were able to keep it tied until the ninth and able to scratch out a win."
UAB had its chance early in the game with the bases loaded in the first, but couldn't capitalize and eventually scored in the second. Williams scored from third in the second inning off an RBI-single through to left field from Adam Smith to give the Blazers the early 1-0 advantage.
That score held until the seventh when Savannah State broke through for its first hits of the game to plate the game-tying run. Mendez Elder doubled to begin the frame and Charles Sikes doubled him home to tie the game at 1-1. Luna went on to work around the two doubles and escape the inning with just one run allowed.
The Blazers totaled seven hits to just two from the Tigers. Sophomore reliever Thomas Lowery entered to pitch the ninth and earned the win, while Davis was tagged with the loss.
UAB and Savannah State meet again Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at noon at Young Memorial Field. Check back with UABSports.com to stay informed on any remaining schedule changes for the weekend.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official Twitter account of UAB Athletics (@UABAthletics).
