The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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Southern Miss
UAB Softball Defeats Southern Miss, 5-2, to Complete Sweep
4/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB softball team completed a series sweep of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles with a 5-2 victory Sunday on Senior Day at UAB Softball Field.
With the victory in its final home game of the season, UAB (30-15, 14-5 C-USA) closes out its 2015 home slate with a 13-3 record overall and an 11-1 record in home Conference USA games.
"It's always about the team, but Senior Day just shows how much these girls mean to this program, how much they'll be missed and how proud I am of them," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "I felt like Maddie Hir came out today and really mixed up her pitches well, while the defense was very solid behind her."
Madison Hir (4-4) earned the win for the Blazers in a 4.2-inning start after holding the Golden Eagles to two unearned runs on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts. Cara Goodwin earned her first career save after striking out four over a perfect 2.1 final innings.
"What I thought was really so neat was the fact that all the seniors contributed," Townsend said. "You have Heather Pearson coming up with the huge RBI on a two-strike, two-out home run and you've got Hayley Davis coming through with the huge double. Anna Theriot guns a runner out at the plate and Amy Dennis gets another RBI and two hits."
Pearson went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and a run scored. Dennis was also 2-for-3 and added an RBI, while Davis recorded a double with a run scored. Defensively, Theriot saved a run in the fifth inning, as she threw out a runner breaking for the plate.
Sara Beth Williamson rounded out UAB's top offensive performers, as she was not retired over the course of the game, finishing with a single, two walks and a pair of runs scored.
UAB got on the board first with a three-spot in the first inning. Attfield led off with a single up the middle, and Williamson followed with a four-pitch walk. With two outs in the frame, Pearson powered a home run over the wall in left center to clear the bases and give UAB an early 3-0 lead.
After three scoreless frames, Southern Miss cut its deficit with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Sarah Evans was the first aboard for the Golden Eagles with a pinch-hit single, and gave way to Kaelyn Christofferson, who re-entered as a runner. UAB attempted to put her out on a fielder's choice at second, but the throw went into the outfield, and Christofferson was able to cross home for the first run of the frame.
With two outs, the Golden Eagles accounted for their second run of the frame on a Selena Estrada RBI double to left center. Sandwiched in between was a pinch-hit single from Katie Cleary that allowed Reynolds to round third and break for the plate. Theriot threw home on the play and Ashley Johnson applied the tag to prevent a third run from scoring and hold the score at 3-2.
UAB's final two runs came in the sixth inning. The Blazers loaded the bases on a Williamson walk, Davis double and Pearson single, and Dennis singled through the left side to drive in the lead runner. On the play, the Golden Eagles' Rachel Johnson mishandled the ball in left field, allowing Davis to score to cap the scoring at 5-2.
Goodwin retired the Golden Eagles in order in the top of the seventh to seal the win and give the Blazers a 5-2 victory in 2015's final game at UAB Softball Field.
"Our fans really came out and got behind these ladies," Townsend said. "The stands were full and it helped create a great weekend all-around for UAB softball."
The UAB softball team returns to action on Tuesday for a midweek matchup with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account, @UABathletics. For an in-depth look into the UAB softball program, follow @uabsoftball on Twitter.
