The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Lipscomb
Dunsford's Late Homer Lifts Blazers Over Lipscomb
5/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (PDF)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Locked in a tied game in the seventh inning, sophomore Rachel Dunsford slugged her first home run of the season to lift the UAB softball team, 4-2, over Lipscomb at Draper Diamond on Tuesday.
“It is always going to be a competitive game against Lipscomb,” head coach Marla Townsend said. “I have a lot of respect for their program. Madison Hir came out strong and did a great job mixing up the pitches. Cara Goodwin really complemented Maddie’s pitches when she came into the game. I was very pleased with the pitching duo.”
Junior Madison Hir earned the start, allowing just two runs off three hits and two walks with one strikeout over 4.0 innings. Junior Cara Goodwin earned the victory in relief as she shutout Lipscomb over 3.0 innings with just one walk, one hit and four strikeouts. Goodwin improved to 14-9 on the season.
“Kelly Young pitched a great game,” Townsend added. “What I love about this team is how they respond. Most teams would stress out after being shut down their first trip through the order, but we were relentless. Dunsford came up with a huge hit in the seventh after an excellent at-bat from Hannah Lee, drawing the walk. I could not be happier for Rachel. We had the energy tonight. What a great way to wrap up our nonconference regular season before going out to North Texas this weekend!”
Dunsford led the Blazers at the plate going 2-for-3 with a two-RBI home run.
Kelly Young made quick work of the Blazers through their first trip of the lineup, racking up four strikeouts; but UAB broke though in the second trip through the order.
After senior Caitlin Attfield reached on a fielder’s choice, junior JoJo Fallen and senior Kelly Britt knocked back-to-back doubles to strike first in Tuesday’s contest, 2-0.
Lipscomb answered in the bottom of the third with a one-out double to center field and a bunt single to third base to put runners on the corners.
The Lady Bison cut the lead to 2-1 as a throw down to second base on a steal attempt allowed the runners to advance before locking the game up at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly to deep center field.
Young and the Blazer pitching duo of Hir and Goodwin controlled the game after the four-run third inning, shutting out the respective squads over three innings.
After freshman Hannah Lee drew a leadoff walk, Dunsford slugged her first home run of the season to regain the Blazer lead, 4-2.
Goodwin allowed one hit in the bottom of the seventh, but battled back to retire the side to pick up her 14th win of the season.
UAB closes the 2016 regular season this weekend at North Texas in the Blazers’ final conference series. 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).
