UAB Cruises to a 7-3 Win Over Alabama State

Thursday, April 19

Birmingham / Mary Bowers Field

6:00 PM

UAB

Alabama State University

UAB Cruises to a 7-3 Win Over Alabama State

4/19/2018 10:57:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB softball team closed out its final mid-week home game of the season with a bang as the Blazers tallied seven runs en route to a 7-3 win over Alabama State on Thursday night at Mary Bowers Field.

UAB (19-26-1) did the most damage in the bottom of the second as the Green and Gold got the offense cranked up and scored five runs. A single from Destini England loaded the bases for the Blazers with one away in the inning, before Natalie Erwin capitalized on the opportunity with a two-RBI single to right, opening the scoring for UAB.

Erwin then stole second and Analyse Petree walked to load the bases once again for Rachel Rogers, who reached on a fielder's choice. With two out and the bases juiced, Sarah Crawford stepped into the box and smoked a bases-clearing double to the gap in left field, giving UAB a 5-0 lead.

Alabama State (17-24) chipped away at the lead with a run in the third and a solo home run in the top half of the fifth, but UAB starter Bailie Barnes continually swatted away the Hornets whenever they began to mount any offensive momentum.

The Blazers tacked on two more runs in the home half of the sixth on two Alabama State wild pitches.

UAB took a five-run lead into the seventh, but ASU didn't go quietly. The Hornets scored another run to cut the lead to four, but Barnes battled back in the circle and shut down the rally to seal UAB's 7-3 win.

Barnes (2-2) threw her third complete-game in as many starts this season, picking up the win. The freshman righty allowed three runs, two earned, on eight hits and gave up only a single walk to go along with five strikeouts.

Crawford went 2-for-4 with three RBI on the night, while Erwin picked up a hit, a run scored, two RBI and two swiped bases in the game. England continues to be a table setter in the leadoff spot, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Up Next

UAB travels down to Ruston, La. this weekend for a matchup of the top-two teams in Conference USA as the Blazers and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs square off in a three game series. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 21 beginning at 2 p.m. CT, before wrapping up the series on Sunday, April 22 at 1 p.m. CT.