The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Valparaiso
UAB Drops Series Finale Versus Valpo 9-5
2/26/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Final Stats (PDF)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB baseball team fell behind early on Sunday afternoon as its search for consecutive sweeps to open the season fell short. Valparaiso beat the Blazers 9-5 at Regions Field to improve to 2-4. UAB is now 5-2 and suffered its first home loss of the season.
“If we can win five out of every six at home, I’ll take that,” said UAB head coach Brian Shoop. “You’re not going to win them all, especially in this game.”
The Crusaders scored two runs in the first inning after a leadoff walk and an intentional walk with two outs. Back-to-back singles with two outs plated the base runners as UAB found itself in an early hole.
Valpo added another run in the fifth inning but the Blazers avoided allowing more. With one out and the bases loaded, third baseman Price Visintainer snagged a frozen rope out of the air and flipped it to second for the double play. The Crusaders led 3-0.
UAB struggled versus starter Grant Inman who allowed just two hits and two walks before being relieved to start the sixth inning.
Each team’s bats heated up in the seventh and eighth innings. Valpo extended its lead to 5-0 in the top half of the frame but UAB centerfielder Brewer Hicklen responded with a great individual effort in the bottom half with a triple to left center and then scoring on a wild pitch to cut the game to 5-1.
Both teams followed by scoring four runs in the eighth inning apiece highlighted by a two RBI single by Brett Blackwood in a pinch hitting appearance. The Blazers were unable to carry that momentum into the final frame thought and fell 9-5.
“It was too little, too late, but I’m glad we don’t pack up and go home,” Shoop said. “But we were outhit 15-8, out freebied 13-7. The odds of winning that game are slim to none. I think Valpo is a team that is going to contend for the Horizon League championship. Today hats off to them.”
Inman earned the win to move to 2-0 on the year. He added five strikeouts to his line and delivered one wild pitch.
Ryan Ruggles was handed his first loss of the season. The junior started and threw three innings. He allowed three hits, three walks, and two runs.
Hicklen had a stellar day at the plate. The sophomore finished 2-for-4 with a double, triple, and one run scored. Designated hitter Thomas Johns had a similar line batting 2-for-4 with a double and run scored while shortstop Antonio Ralat added another run and was 2-for-5 at the plate.
The Blazers are now set to host Troy and Alabama State this week. The Trojans enter at 4-3 and are set to play Tuesday night at Regions Field starting at 4:00 p.m. The Hornets, who topped UAB 7-2 this past Wednesday in Montgomery, Ala., will make-up the game originally scheduled for last Tuesday. That game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Blazers on campus field, Young Memorial Field.
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 (@UAB_Athletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uab_athletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
