The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Chattanooga
UAB Softball Stumbles Against Chattanooga
4/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Final Stats | Box Score (PDF)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB softball team loaded the bases to bring the winning run to the plate, but the comeback fell short as Chattanooga blanked UAB, 3-0, at May Bowers Field on Tuesday.
“The numbers show it,” head coach Marla Townsend said. “Their second baseman had seven assists with two outstanding plays. We made good adjustments at the plate, but Chattanooga came through with big defensive plays. Leaving seven runners on base is something we can’t do. We did a great job of getting runners on in the middle and late innings, but we got to come through with that big hit.”
Leading off the second inning with a double to left field, the Mocs (27-22) got on the board early as a two-out double from Amanda Ross plated a run to put Chattanooga on top, 1-0.
Junior Cara Goodwin responded by retiring 13 straight batters to keep the Mocs’ lead to just one run before Jesslyn Stockard knocked a two-out, two-RBI homer to right center field in a pinch hit appearance in the top of the seventh to push the lead to 3-0.
Senior Kelly Britt drew a one-out walk followed by a single through the right side from freshman Hannah Lee to bring the tying run to the plate. Junior Danii Fernandez reached on a fielding error to load the bases with two outs, bringing the winning run to the plate, but Chattanooga fielding a groundout to second base, forcing a close play at first to retire senior Caitlin Attfield and snuff out the comeback attempt.
“We had bases loaded with Caitlin Attfield at the plate,” Townsend added. “We had the tying run at first and the winning run at the plate. That’s what we work for. Unfortunately, we left runners stranded early on in the game. Chattanooga just came through with the big hits.”
Lee led UAB (22-25) at the plate going 2-for-3 with two singles, recording two of UAB’s four hits of the contest.
Goodwin (12-8) tossed 6.2 innings and allowed three runs off four hits and two walks, while striking out three. Freshman Tori Perkins closed out the game pitching 0.1 innings of relief.
UAB returns to action tomorrow night in Oxford, Mississippi, as the Blazers face (RV) Ole Miss at 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
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).
