The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
#3/2 Auburn
UAB Falls to No. 2/3 Auburn in Midweek Clash
4/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BOX SCORE (PDF)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB softball team struck first to lead the Tigers, 1-0, through the first inning, but No. 2/3 Auburn came out on top, 8-1, Wednesday night at Mary Bowers Field.
“It was a good way to come out during the midweek and see how we stack up against one of the top teams in the country,” head coach Marla Townsend said. “Auburn proved why they are the No. 2 team in the nation. If you take away a few pitches, it is a close ballgame. Our defense made some solid plays. This game tells us where we are, and it is the best practice you can have. We realize we have to get a little better. We’ve got two days to do that before we host FIU.”
After junior JoJo Fallen reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a groundout, junior Mary Warren knocked a single up the middle to extend her reached-base streak to 16 consecutive games. Fallen scored on a fielding error by Auburn shortstop Whitney Jordan on the play to give UAB a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Auburn answered in the bottom of the second after junior Madison Hir gave up a leadoff walk, as Jade Rhodes knocked a two-RBI home run to left field to put Auburn on top, 2-1.
The Tigers followed with back-to-back home runs in the top of the third to extend their lead to 4-1. Auburn would add four more runs off six hits in the fourth and fifth innings to cap the 8-1 victory.
Hir was tagged with the loss allowing four runs off four hits and two walks over 2.0 innings of work. The junior fell to 6-7 on the season. Sophomore Megan Smith pitched 5.0 innings of relief allowing four runs off seven hits and two walks.
Makayla Martin earned the victory for Auburn to improve to 9-0 on the season. Martin allowed one unearned run off two hits over 4.2 innings.
The Blazers return to conference action this weekend as UAB hosts (RV) FIU for a three-game series at Bowers Field. The series begins Saturday with a doubleheader slated for 1 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).
