Blazers Fall on Opening Day of Tennessee Invitational

Friday, March 4

Knoxville, Tenn.

2:00 PM

UAB

#16/#20 Tennessee

Senior Caitlin Attfield was one of two Blazers with multiple hits on Friday.

Blazers Fall on Opening Day of Tennessee Invitational

3/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

March 4, 2016

Final Stats

St. John's Box (PDF) | Tennessee Box (PDF)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The UAB softball team fell one run short of completing a comeback victory as the Blazers dropped both games of Friday’s opening round of the Tennessee Invitational at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

After giving up three runs in the first inning, UAB battled back within one of St. John’s (6-6), but could not complete the comeback as the Red Storm claimed a 3-2 victory.

No. 16/20 Tennessee (12-5) knocked two grand slams en route to a five-inning, 10-0 victory over the Blazers (5-14) in Friday’s second contest.

“Something positive we are going to take from today is that Cara Goodwin had two great outings,” head coach Marla Townsend said. “I’m proud of the way she came in both games and shut down opponents. “We gave away a few at-bats against Tennessee, but we made some great adjustments. We faced two outstanding pitchers today.”

Junior JoJo Fallen led the Blazers at the plate after a 2-for-4 day. Senior Caitlin Attfield was the only other Blazer to record multiple hits on the day with two.

Junior Cara Goodwin pitched seven innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters.

“We are going to get back at it tomorrow,” Townsend added. “I liked the dugout participation. I think we are playing together as one, and the wins are going to come. We are focusing on the little things right now, and the W’s are going to come.”

St. John’s (L, 3-2)

St. John’s jumped on the board early with a three-run first inning, capped by a two-RBI home run from junior Brittany Garcia.

After two Blazers reached base on a fielder’s choice and a walk, Fallen reached on a St. John’s error that allowed junior Danii Fernandez to score from second base and cut the lead to 3-1.

Freshman Lizzie Ryan led off the fourth inning with her first collegiate hit with an infield single.

After advancing to second on Mary Warren’s sacrifice bunt, Ryan advanced to third on a wild pitch during freshman Analyse Petree’s walk.

Senior Ashley Johnson drove home her fifth RBI of the season as Ryan scored on the catcher’s fielder’s choice to claw within one run of St. John’s, 3-2.

The Blazers could not complete the comeback as Tori Free shut the Blazers out over the last three innings.

Junior Madison Hir (2-5) was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs off three hits over one inning. Goodwin pitched five innings of two-hit, shutout relief. The Cullman, Alabama, native allowed just one walk and struck out five batters.

No. 16/20 Tennessee (L, 10-0)

No. 16/20 Tennessee mirrored St. John’s with scoring multiple runs in the first inning. Highlighted by Abby Lockman’s grand slam, the Volunteers scored six runs off four hits.

After leading off the third with a double and back-to-back walks, Scarlet McSwain knocked Tennessee’s second grand slam of the game to extend its lead to 10-0.

Sophomore Megan Smith (0-7) was tagged with the loss after allowing 10 runs off four walks and seven hits over two innings. Goodwin pitched two innings of scoreless of relief allowing no hits and striking out two.

UAB continues pool play Saturday morning with a 9 a.m. CT contest with Green Bay. The Blazers’ first round of tournament play Saturday afternoon will be determined following the conclusion of pool play.

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).