UAB Falls To Middle Tennessee In First Game of Conference USA Tournament

Thursday, May 10

Charlotte, NC

3:30 PM

UAB

25-31-1

Middle Tennessee

37-20

MIDDLE TENNESSEE

UAB

UAB Falls To Middle Tennessee In First Game of Conference USA Tournament

5/10/2018 10:34:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The UAB softball team lost its opening game of the Conference USA Tournament, 11-6, to Middle Tennessee on Thursday night at Daughtridge Stadium.

The Blazers fell into a 4-0 hole after the top of the first inning but scrapped back with a run in the bottom of the first and three runs in the third. Rachel Rogers drove in her 37th RBI of the season when she sent home Destini England in the first.

In the bottom of the third, UAB loaded the bases on back-to-back singles and an error from Middle Tennessee's first baseman. Rogers pick up her 38th RBI on a bunt that again scored England.

UAB (25-31-1) continued the rally as Claire Blount hit a grounder to second, scoring Natalie Erwin. Sarah Crawford also hit a grounder to second to send Analyse Petree across the plate, tying the game at 4-4.

Middle Tennessee (37-20) hit right back in the fourth with three runs and then added two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to take an 11-4 lead.

In the seventh, Petree hit a lead off home run as Rogers followed her up with a double down the left field line. After a ground out moved Rogers to third, Crawford reached on an error by the first baseman as Rogers came across the score. However, UAB was unable to sustain the rally and fell 11-6.

Blount got the start for the the Blazers in the pitcher's circle but lasted only an inning as she gave up four unearned runs in the first. Emily Kachel (12-13) came on in relief and threw three innings allowing three runs on six hits. Megan Smith and Bailie Barnes also saw action in the circle with Smith throwing an inning while Barnes tossed two. Both pitchers allowed two runs on two hits. Kachel took the loss.

Up Next

UAB moves to the loser's bracket and will face Louisiana Tech on May, 11, at 1:30 p.m. CT. If the Blazers win, they will play again at 4:30 p.m. CT with a shot at advancing to the championship game on Saturday. However, a loss in either game will knock UAB out of the tournament.