The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Alabama A&M
UAB Baseball Upends Alabama A&M, 12-2, Tuesday
3/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB baseball team took advantage of big innings early and won, 12-2, over Alabama A&M on Tuesday night at Regions Field.
The Blazers (10-15, 2-4 C-USA) scored three runs in the second and four each in the third and fourth, putting the game out of reach before the halfway mark.
Alabama A&M jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning on the strength of three hits, including Darren White’s single up the middle to bring home both runs.
The Blazers wasted no time responding in the bottom of the second. Griffin Gum and Carter Pharis led off the frame with hits, followed by a Riley McCown walk. Jacob Armstrong then sent a fly ball deep into the corner in right, scoring two and tying the game.
Brewer Hicklen brought in the go-ahead run later in the inning with a sacrifice fly, plating McCown.
UAB loaded the bases once again in the third inning with a hit and two walks. With one gone and Armstrong at the plate, Gum took off for home plate attempting to steal. Alabama A&M pitcher Parker Hill balked to allow the run in.
The Blazers would bat around in the third inning, scoring additional runs on a Mitch Williams walk, an RBI single from Blake Johnson and an HBP by Hicklen to take a 7-2 lead.
Hicklen’s two-run triple to right center capped off another four-run frame for UAB, as the Blazers took an 11-2 lead following four innings, giving him four RBIs on the night.
The pitching staff was outstanding for UAB. Adam Lamar picked up the win in relief to improve to 3-1, as the Blazers’ relief corps fired seven combined scoreless innings, allowing just five hits.
Stephen Baggett, Matthew Calvert, Josh Floyd, Cory Eller, Thomas Lowery and Garrett Whitlock took part in relief of starter Austin Thomas, who hurled the first two innings.
UAB would tack on an additional run in the eighth inning, as Williams walked with the bases loaded for a second time in the game.
Gum finished the night 2-for-4 at the dish with a pair of runs scored, and leads the Blazers with a .330 batting average. Pharis was 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored.
McCown did not register an official at-bat on the night, walking twice and being hit by a pitch. He scored all three times he reached base.
The Blazers return to action with a weekend series against Conference USA foe Western Kentucky. Game times are Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. The series will be played on campus at Young Memorial 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).
