Blazers Drop A Heartbreaker 6-3

Saturday, February 10

Tampa, FL

7:30 PM

UAB

University of South Florida

Blazers Drop A Heartbreaker 6-3

2/11/2018 1:19:00 AM | Softball

Box Score UAB vs USF Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – The Blazers dropped a heartbreaker to USF 6-3 Saturday night at the USF Softball Stadium and falls to 1-2 on the season.

A rough sixth inning saw UAB give up three hits, three walks, hit two batters and a wild pitch as it surrendered four runs. Emily Kachel, pitching in relief of starter Claire Blount, started the inning off well by striking out the first batter of the sixth but things quickly went off the rails.

USF right fielder Mia Fung hit a scorching liner at the shortstop and was able to reach first base safely and was moved to third by a double from Bulls' shortstop Cassidy Boyle.

After a pitching change which saw freshman Bailie Barnes make her first career appearance, Barnes hit the next batter to load the bases and then gave up a single to left that allowed Fung to score and tie the game.

Barnes then hit her second batter of the inning which pushed Boyle across the plate to give USF a 4-3 lead. After walking in another run to fall behind 5-3, the Blazers returned to starting pitcher Blount who got the first batter she faced in the sixth to hit into a fielder's choice were UAB got the out at home to keep it a two score game.

However, Blount threw a wild pitch that Lauren Evans scored on from third to give USF its fourth run of the sixth inning and a 6-3 lead.

The Blazers were able to get a runner on in the top of the seventh when Madison Millsaps singled up the middle but they were unable to move her around.

As rough as the sixth inning was for UAB, the game started well as it took control early.

Destini England got UAB off to a fast start with a leadoff double to left in the top of the first inning and was moved over to third when Katelyn Prater singled to the third baseman. Following a stolen base by Prater, Millsaps drew a walk to load the bases.

Blount reached on a fielder's choice as England was tagged out at the plate. However, the bases were still loaded when Megan Smith hit into a fielder's choice as well but she was able to score Prater from third.

The Blazers couldn't do anymore damage as a ground out in the next at-bat ended the inning.

USF (4-0) also got started quick as leadoff hitter Evans hit a triple to center to put herself in prime scoring position with nobody out. Blount, who got the start in the pitcher's circle, got the next batter to strikeout swinging. After giving up an infield single but holding the runner at third, Blount snagged a line drive back up the middle and quickly turned and fired over to first for the double play getting out of the first inning without giving up a run.

UAB again threatened in the second inning putting runners on second and third but couldn't come up with a clutch two-out hit and took a one-run lead into the bottom half of the second.

Blount walked the first batter she faced in the second but came back and struck out the next three batters in a row. The game settled down for about an inning and a half when USF finally broke through on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the fourth.

After getting a quick first out Blount gave up a single to left and a single to right and was replaced in the circle by Kachel. She got Boyle to foul out to first baseman Rachel Rogers but with two outs the Bulls were still looking to do some damage.

Left fielder Brooke Hartman smacked a double that scored two and gave USF its first lead of the game 2-1. Kachel buckled down and got the following batter to strikeout looking and got out of the inning without allowing any more runs.

The Green and Gold didn't wait long to respond as it was again England getting UAB going with a leadoff single. Prater followed England with a bunt single but a throwing error by the catcher allowed Prater to advance to second and England advance to third.

Blount hit a single to the shortstop that allowed England to score and tie the game back up at two all. Blount also moved Prater to third with her hit which set up a sacrifice fly from Smith to score Prater as UAB regained the lead 3-2. A strikeout then ended UAB's threat in the top half of the fifth.

England again proved to be the offensive catalyst going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Prater also had a solid day at the plate going 2-for-4 as well and scored two of UAB's three runs. Smith went 1-for-3 and picked up two RBI on the night.

In the circle, Blount threw 4.0 innings allowing two runs on four hits but struck out five. Kachel picked up the loss and falls to 1-1 on the season. She threw two innings giving up two runs as well and striking out two. Barnes gave up two runs on one hit.

Next Up:

The Blazers jump right back into action on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 10:15 a.m. CT against Georgia State and then wraps up the USF DeMarini Tournament at 12:30 p.m. CT by squaring off with No. 2 Florida.