The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Charlotte
Baseball Suffers Tough Loss to Charlotte, 3-1
4/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Three controversial calls for both sides turned an exciting pitchers' dual south late in game three of the Conference USA series Sunday afternoon, as the Charlotte 49ers topped the UAB baseball team in 12 innings, 3-1.
UAB's (23-18, 10-11 C-USA) Johnny Lieske and Charlotte's (16-21, 10-14 C-USA) Josh Maciejewski both battled it out on the mound, as Lieske allowed just one hit through his first six innings, and Maciejewski gave up just four through his first six frames.
Neither team scored until the seventh, before the Blazers broke the scoreless tie with a sacrifice fly to right from Chase Davis on a collision at the plate, giving UAB a 1-0 advantage through seven.
The ninth inning was the decisive one for the Green and Gold. Back-to-back leadoff singles gave the 49ers two base runners with nobody out, before the emotional action ensued.
T.J. Nichting attempted to lay down a bunt, but Nathan Vincent caught it in the air for the first out. Vincent then made an errant throw in an attempt to double off the runner, and his throw sailed into the right field bullpen area that allowed both runners to begin their advancement.
On the ensuing throw back to the infield from Gum in his attempt to cut down a runner, the ball bounced near the UAB dugout, a ball the umpires immediately ruled dead as both Charlotte runners ended up at third base and Elwood was awarded home to tie it up.
The Blazers loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth and had the game-winning run 90 feet away, but a strikeout and double play on a popup in shallow right field sent the game to extras.
Both teams cruised through the 10th and 11th innings, before Charlotte went on to plate the two game-winning runs in the 12th. The 49ers again led off the 12th with all three hitters reaching safely with no outs.
After reliever Adam Lau was replaced by Ryan Ruggles, Charlotte's Brad Elwood lined out to Vincent at third. He then tried to double off the runner at second, before the Niner at third broke for home to score the go-ahead run. After a delay and umpires meeting, they ruled the runner from third to score safely with one out recorded on the play. The Niners went on to plate the third and final run of the contest on a Blazer error.
Despite suffering the loss, Lau was efficient in long relief out of the pen for the Blazers, going 3.1 IP with four strikeouts and four hits allowed. Lieske's excellent day of 7.2 IP and just four hits allowed was overshadowed by the late-inning fireworks.
Gum, Tyler Mims and Adam Smith all totaled two hits for the Green and Gold, while Davis was credited with the one RBI off the sacrifice fly.
UAB returns to action Tuesday to host crosstown rival Samford at 6:30 p.m. at Regions Field in City of Birmingham Night.
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).
