The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Troy
UAB Baseball Downs Troy, 7-1
3/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. - UAB's pitching staff combined to strikeout 11 Troy hitters, and the Blazer offense matched its season-high 15 hits including a 4-run fifth to take down Troy, 7-1, Tuesday night at Riddle-Pace Field.
"That's a really good night," head coach Brian Shoop said. "That's the best we've played this year and most complete game we've played. All we gave up after the first inning was an infield hit. That was the best our bullpen has thrown, (Ryan) Ruggles was really good after giving up three hits in the first. We strung a lot of good at-bats together. That's the best team performance and a really good night for our program."
Ruggles, in his fifth appearance and first collegiate start, allowed four Trojan hits and just one earned run in the opening frame to settle down and toss four solid innings. Thomas Lowery entered for two relief innings to strike out three Troy (7-9) hitters. Cory Eller was dominant in his 1.2 IP with five strikeouts, and Adam Lau closed it for the Blazers in the final 1.1 innings.
Tyler Mims and Adam Smith both contributed from their spots in the bottom of the order to lead UAB (10-4) with two RBI each.
After the Trojans struck quickly in the first, UAB answered with a single run in the third when Nathan Vincent drew a bases loaded walk to lock the contest at 1-1.
From there, the Green and Gold posted two runs in the fourth and four in the fifth. Jeff Schalk got the fourth started on a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. With one away in the frame, Mims doubled to left center, scoring Schalk. Brett Blackwood then flied out, pushing Mims to third, before Adam Smith extended his hit streak to 13 on a single to left to plate UAB's third run of the contest.
The Blazers collected four runs off six hits in the fifth, an inning where Troy made two pitching changes and UAB posted four before the Trojans recorded an out. After Evan Peterson singled to start it, Vincent doubled down the third base line, extending his hit streak to 11 games. Griffin Gum and Schalk singled in back-to-back at-bats, both driving in runs. Mims went on to tally an RBI single, as did Smith who singled past the shortstop to score the seventh run of the game.
Schalk and Mims both finished 3-for-5, as UAB pounded out 15 hits, tying its season high. Smith and Chase Davis both collected two hits in the win.
UAB returns to action this weekend at Middle Tennessee to open Conference USA play.
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).
