The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
No. 1 Florida Atlantic
Blazers Finish Runners-up at Conference USA Championship
5/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (PDF)
DENTON, Texas - The UAB softball team fell to top-seeded No. 22 Florida Atlantic, 6-0, Saturday at Lovelace Stadium to finish runner-up at the 2016 Conference USA Championships.
"Through the highs and lows of this season, this team never gave up," head coach Marla Townsend said. "They always strived to get to this championship game. To come out here to play our best ball of the season, it meant a lot. We truly were relentless all season long. There is so much of the seniors in this team through their leadership, their love for the game and who they are off the field. This team truly loves each other. Even though we fell short in this final game, getting to the championship game is something they always remember. Team 17 was very special."
UAB got two Blazers on the bases in the top of the first with a one-out double from junior JoJo Fallen and senior Kelly Britt, but Kylee Hanson struck out back-to-back Blazers to shut down the scoring chance.
The Owls jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a one-out, RBI double down the left field line, Carnesha Thomas and a Blazer error allowing Thomas to come around to score on a grounder from Emily Lochten.
Junior Madison Hir retired the side in order in the bottom of the second; but the Owls capitalized on a one-out walk in the bottom of the third, scoring the runner on an RBI single to left field from Melissa Martinez.
Florida Atlantic extended its lead to 6-0 with a three-run, fourth inning with a two-RBI triple and sacrifice fly.
UAB had a golden scoring opportunity in the top of the fifth as senior Sara Beth Williamson singled to third base and junior Amy Waters reached on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt to put Blazers on the corners with no outs, but Florida Atlantic retired the side in order to keep UAB scoreless.
Hanson shut the Blazers out over the final two innings to toss the complete game victory to improve to 28-3 on the season.
Junior Cara Goodwin was tagged with the loss, falling to 17-12 this season. The Cullman, Alabama, native allowed two runs off two hits and one walk over an inning of work. Hir and sophomore Megan Smith closed out the game in relief for UAB.
Fallen led UAB at the plate going 1-for-3 with a double, the Blazers' lone extra-base hit in the game.
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).
