The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Southern Miss
Baseball Clinches Southern Miss Series with Saturday Win
4/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Following the pregame dedication of the Gallichio Hitting Facility, the UAB baseball team entertained a packed Young Memorial Field on Saturday with an exciting 8-7 win over No. 18 Southern Miss.
Prior to the day's game, Dr. Michael Gallichio and Kathleen Gallichio were recognized for their ongoing support and generosity to UAB Athletics. The Blazers' hitting facility now dons the names of the Gallichios, and Dr. Gallichio began the evening by throwing of the ceremonial first pitch.
"Dr. Gallichio is a lifesaver in the medical community, and you could make a case that he is a lifesaver in the UAB baseball program," head baseball coach Brian Shoop said. "When I first got here 10 years ago, we had one single batting cage behind the dugout. It was totally insufficient. I'm not overstating it that this family is a lifesaver to our program. The Gallichio Hitting Facility has made a difference in recruiting and player development... We are deeply touched and appreciative."
Once the first pitch was thrown, the wild ride that was Saturday's game began. Southern Miss put up two quick runs against UAB starter Ryan Ruggles in a near-30 minute top of the first inning. The left-hander was able to work out of a bases loaded jam to keep the damage at a minimum.
The Blazers then began their scoring fury with four runs on four hits in the bottom of the first. Esteban Tresgallo smashed a two-run homer to left-center, followed by an RBI triple from Riley McCown and a wild pitch to score McCown from third.
Tresgallo struck again in the second inning with an RBI single to left, and freshman Carter Pharis lined a single to center to extend the Green and Gold lead to 6-2.
The UAB bats went on a five-inning drought, allowing the Golden Eagles to take a 7-6 lead in the seventh. Southern Miss catcher Chuckie Robinson closed the gap with a two-run home run in the third, and Jake Burdeaux led off the sixth with a solo home run to pull the Eagles within one run, 6-5. USM then jumped ahead in the seventh with two runs on two hits to take control.
Despite trailing in the late innings, the Blazers rallied in the eighth for two runs on three hits to take a 8-7 lead. On two outs, senior Griffin Gum singled to drive home Brewer Hicklen, and followed by a go-ahead RBI single by Pharis down the line in right to plate Tresgallo.
Left-hander Thomas Lowery was called on in the ninth to close out the contest, retiring the side in the final frame to pick up his sixth save of the year.
The Blazers and Eagles wrap up the series Sunday at 1 p.m. "The Voice of the Blazers" David Crane will have the call on WAPI-AM 1070 with pregame beginning at 12:50 p.m.
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).
