The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Creighton
Baseball Falls 3-1 in Omaha on Saturday
3/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
OMAHA, Neb. - Another pitching dual at pitcher-friendly TD Ameritrade Park saw the UAB baseball team come up short on offense, falling 3-1 to Creighton on Saturday night in Omaha, Nebraska.
Despite out-hitting the Bluejays 6-5 and leaving just five runners on base, the Blazers' pitching staff was tagged for a game-tying run in the second and two runs in the fourth en route to the team's second consecutive loss.
UAB starting pitcher Tanner Graham allowed three runs on five hits through 4.2 innings of work, while relievers Adam Lamar and Stephen Baggett tossed no-hit baseball through the final 3.1 innings.
The Blazers' pitching trio was out-dueled by Bluejay starter Matt Warren, who threw six innings of four-hit, one-run ball. Closer David Gerber collected the save in the ninth, while middle-relievers Sam Norman and Nick Highberger held the two-run lead.
The tale of the tape: UAB's hurlers allowed eight walks, while Creighton's issued just one freebie.
The Blazers jumped on the board with a quick run in the top of the first inning. Brewer Hicklen led off with a single up the middle, moved to second on a groundout and scored on a Griffin Gum single through the first-base side.
The Bluejays tied things up in the second. A two-out walk came back to bite UAB when Brett Murray singled to center to score Matt Gandy from second.
Graham worked out of a jam in the third, but Creighton took advantage of a couple of walks in the fourth to take a two-run lead. With Kevin Connolly at second and Michael Emodi on base via balls, Ryan Fitzgerald sent a screamer to left to score both runners.
Both Hicklen and Gum totaled two hits, while pinch hitter Mitch Williams and second baseman Blake Johnson accounted for the other two. Hicklen is now 4-for-7 in Omaha.
The Blazers and Bluejays wrap up the series Sunday with a noon first pitch. The Green and Gold return to Birmingham for a two-game set with Ole Miss on Tuesday and Wednesday at Regions Field.
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 social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
