The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Thursday, February 7
Birmingham, Ala. / Mary Bowers Field
5 P.M.
UAB
0-1
0
vs
1
North Alabama
1-0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
North Alabama
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
7
1
UAB
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
UAB Falls to North Alabama, 1-0, in Season Opener
2/7/2019 9:18:00 PM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM – In a tightly contested in-state matchup, UAB came up just short losing to North Alabama, 1-0, on Thursday night at Mary Bowers Field.
The programs met for the first time on Thursday with the game quickly turning into a pitcher's duel. UNA forced Blazer starting pitcher Emily Kachel to work hard in the circle but Kachel repeatedly answered the bell and kept the Lions off the board.
In the top half of the fifth however, the dam broke and North Alabama was able to scratch across the game's lone run. A single and a stolen base by UNA's Meleah Hargett put a runner in scoring position with one out. Two batters later, Hannah Shollenberger singled to center, scoring Hargett from second.
Kachel was replaced by Bailie Barnes who struck out the next batter looking to get out of the inning.
UAB (0-1) found a spark in the bottom of the fifth as Sarah Crawford doubled down the left field line and with two away, advanced to third on a wild pitch. The Blazers couldn't push her home however, as a ground out to third ended the frame.
Barnes gave up a leadoff single to begin the sixth inning but made quick work of the next three batters, getting out of the inning and getting the UAB offense back to the plate.
Destini England lead things off with a single to third and advanced to second on a throwing error by the UNA third baseman. Natalie Erwin moved England to third on a sacrifice bunt, but a strikeout swinging and a deep fly ball to the warning track ended the threat.
UNA (1-0) looked to put the game away in the top of the seventh when it loaded the bases with just one out. Barnes kept UAB in the game by bearing down and mowing down the next two batter, striking both hitters out looking.
The Blazers were unable to get anything going in the bottom of the seventh as they went three up and three down, falling to the Lions, 1-0.
UNA was lead offensively by Lexie Harper and Shollenberger who recorded two hits apiece. The Lions centerpiece on Thursday was starting pitcher Megan Garst. She threw a complete game, striking out five and allowing just four hits and no walks.
Kachel (0-1) suffered the loss as she surrendered four hits and four walks. The sophomore struck out three in 4.2 innings of work. Barnes threw the final 2.1 innings, allowing three hits but came back with three strikeouts.
Freshmen Faith Hegh and Sierra Frazier made their collegiate debuts and recorded their first career hits on the night.
Up Next
UAB will be back in action on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. as it takes on Wright State from Mary Bowers Field.
The programs met for the first time on Thursday with the game quickly turning into a pitcher's duel. UNA forced Blazer starting pitcher Emily Kachel to work hard in the circle but Kachel repeatedly answered the bell and kept the Lions off the board.
In the top half of the fifth however, the dam broke and North Alabama was able to scratch across the game's lone run. A single and a stolen base by UNA's Meleah Hargett put a runner in scoring position with one out. Two batters later, Hannah Shollenberger singled to center, scoring Hargett from second.
Kachel was replaced by Bailie Barnes who struck out the next batter looking to get out of the inning.
UAB (0-1) found a spark in the bottom of the fifth as Sarah Crawford doubled down the left field line and with two away, advanced to third on a wild pitch. The Blazers couldn't push her home however, as a ground out to third ended the frame.
Barnes gave up a leadoff single to begin the sixth inning but made quick work of the next three batters, getting out of the inning and getting the UAB offense back to the plate.
Destini England lead things off with a single to third and advanced to second on a throwing error by the UNA third baseman. Natalie Erwin moved England to third on a sacrifice bunt, but a strikeout swinging and a deep fly ball to the warning track ended the threat.
UNA (1-0) looked to put the game away in the top of the seventh when it loaded the bases with just one out. Barnes kept UAB in the game by bearing down and mowing down the next two batter, striking both hitters out looking.
The Blazers were unable to get anything going in the bottom of the seventh as they went three up and three down, falling to the Lions, 1-0.
UNA was lead offensively by Lexie Harper and Shollenberger who recorded two hits apiece. The Lions centerpiece on Thursday was starting pitcher Megan Garst. She threw a complete game, striking out five and allowing just four hits and no walks.
Kachel (0-1) suffered the loss as she surrendered four hits and four walks. The sophomore struck out three in 4.2 innings of work. Barnes threw the final 2.1 innings, allowing three hits but came back with three strikeouts.
Freshmen Faith Hegh and Sierra Frazier made their collegiate debuts and recorded their first career hits on the night.
Up Next
UAB will be back in action on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. as it takes on Wright State from Mary Bowers Field.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Megan Garst (1-0)
L: Kachel, Emily (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Hannah Shollenberger 1
RBI: Hannah Shollenberger 1
SH: Mackenzie Roberts 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Meleah Hargett 1
SB: Meleah Hargett 1
HBP: Hannah Shollenberger 1 ; Danielle de Ruiter 1
Batting:
2B: Crawford, Sarah 1
SH: Erwin, Natalie 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
/ SoftballINF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
P
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