The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Creighton
Whitlock Dazzles as Blazers Open 2017 with Win
2/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Final Stats (PDF)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Incredible pitching and defense to go along with opportune base running propelled the UAB baseball team a win on opening night. The Blazers defeated Creighton 3-2 at Regions Field marking the third time in four years UAB has won its Regions Field opener.
Sophomore right-hander Garrett Whitlock was sharp on the mound. Whitlock, making his second career start after pitching in 25 games a season ago, showed why he was trusted with the ball on opening night after allowing just five hits, zero walks and tallying six strikeouts over eight shutout innings, all career-bests.
“He’s pretty good,” said UAB head coach Brian Shoop with a chuckle. “You feel like you have a good chance to win every time he pitches and that you’ll matchup good. He was dominant.”
Each team traded hits in the first frame before a one-two-three inning from Creighton in the top of the second inning punctuated by a Whitlock strikeout. Shortstop Antonio Ralat proceeded to single in his first career at-bat for the Green & Gold in the bottom of the second. Ralat advanced to second on the next at-bat before catcher Stephen Dobbs ripped a single into left field to bring home the Puerto Rice native. The Blazers led 1-0 after the second.
UAB would extend its lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Price Visintainer found the gap in left center field and showed off the wheels by advancing to third. Visintainer scored on the next play when centerfielder Brewer Hicklen produced a difficult infield single to handle for the Bluejays third baseman, allowing Visintainer to score and Hicklen to safely reach first base.
The Blazers utilized small ball the rest of the frame to get Hicklen home. The sophomore stole second base and then advanced to third on the next at-bat. With Carter Pharis at the plate, Creighton starter Rollie Lacy bounced a ball in the dirt that got away from the catcher and allowed Hicklen to slide home for the third UAB run of the game.
Whitlock would allow onlu two runs over his final three innings, including receiving some great defensive help. In the seventh inning, Visintainer did a super job of charging up on a bunt and throwing at the batter at first and it was followed by a perfectly turned double play to close out the eighth inning by the trio of Tyler Tolbert, Ralat and Pharis.
UAB sent in Thomas Lowery to close out the game. Lowery, who was among the Conference USA leaders a season ago with eight saves, conceded the first Blazer runs of the game following a two-run home run by Jason Allbery. The Bluejays put the winning run in scoring position with a single and sacrifice bunt. Lowery followed by striking out the next batter and the game was fittingly finished on a diving stop by Visintainer and narrowly throwing out the batter at first base.
“We played incredible infield defense,” said Shoop. “There’s no walks and no errors which makes it hard on teams to score. We turned quite a few double plays also.”
The Blazers posted six hits to Creighton’s eight. Each team left three on base.
This was the first win against the Bluejays in UAB history. The two teams met for the first time last season in Omaha, Neb.
Tomorrow’s game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and will feature another pair of great pitchers. Ryan Ruggles (6-4, 4.18 ERA) will face off against Keith Rogalla (5-3, 3.21 ERA). The Blazers did not see Rogalla last year but Ruggles pitched well versus Creighton a season ago, throwing six innings and allowing two runs.
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