The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
#25 South Alabama
UAB Softball Falls at No. 25 South Alabama
2/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MOBILE, Ala. – The UAB softball team loaded the bases twice, but could not push a run across as the Blazers fell in the season opener against No. 25 South Alabama, 4-0, at Jaguar Field Thursday.
UAB (0-1) and South Alabama (1-0) traded three scoreless innings before the Blazers saw their first taste of offense of the season in the fourth inning. Junior JoJo Fallen was the first Blazer to get on base by drawing a one-out walk.
Sophomore Madison Millsaps followed with a two-single to left field before senior Kelly Britt loaded the bases with a fielder’s choice, but the Jaguar defense held on for the final out to leave the bases loaded.
The Jaguars answered in the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back, extra-base hits to push a run across for the 1-0 advantage.
Senior Ashley Johnson knocked the first Blazer hit of the season to lead off the fifth. After freshman Analyse Petree got on board by a hit by pitch, junior Danii Fernandez knocked a bunt single to load the bases.
The Jaguars responded with three straight outs to keep the Blazers scoreless. South Alabama loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning and squeaked across three decisive runs to clinch the 4-0 victory.
Junior Madison Hir (0-1) drew the start for the Blazers as the West Palm Beach, Fla., native dealt four innings. Hir allowed four hits and two runs, while striking out three batters. Sophomore Megan Smith pitched two innings for relief for the Blazers.
Devin Brown (1-0) picked up the victory for South Alabama with a complete-game performance, allowing three hits and striking out 11.
The Blazers open the NCAA Sand Dollar Classic Friday at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex in Gulf Shores, Ala. UAB battled No. 11 Louisiana Lafayette at 6 p.m. CT.
For more information on the UAB softball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UABSoftball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
