The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Old Dominion
UAB Baseball Falls in Old Dominion Opener
4/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
NORFOLK, Va. - Despite a Riley McCown solo home run to spark the Blazers in the fourth inning, Old Dominion topped UAB 6-3 at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex on Friday.
The Monarchs used two three-run innings to get the best of UAB. A three-run third, coming on three hits against starting pitcher Tanner Graham (2-5), put the Blazers down 3-0, and three more runs in the eighth against relievers Cory Eller and Adam Lamar put the game out of reach.
ODU starter Sam Sinnen (4-1) gave up two runs on three hits through 6.1 innings. McCown blasted a solo home run to right against the right-hander in the fourth to put UAB on the board, and the Blazer bats chased him in the seventh on one hit and one run.
Senior Griffin Gum tripled and later scored against Sinnen before Morgan Maguire was called on from the Old Dominion bullpen. Between Maguire and reliever Brett Smith, the Blazers managed just two hits and one run the remainder of the game.
The Green and Gold trailed 6-2 going to the ninth inning. Two walks and a base hit loaded the bases for McCown, allowing the outfielder to pick up his third RBI with a groundout to first. Despite the late run, UAB was not able to rally around the score.
Freshman Jared Nixon was 2-for-4, while McCown was 1-for-5 with all three runs batted in. Both Brewer Hicklen and Evan Peterson walked three times.
As announced early Friday afternoon, the Blazers and Monarchs will play a doubleheader Saturday. First pitch of the first game is set for 1 p.m. CT with game two to follow. Ryan Ruggles will start the first game while UAB's third starter has yet to be announced.
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).
