Blazers Edged by Roadrunners in Series Finale

Sunday, March 10

San Antonio, Texas

1 P.M.

UAB

8-15, 0-3

UTSA

12-11, 3-0

UAB

UTSA

Blazers Edged by Roadrunners in Series Finale

3/10/2019 10:17:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The UAB softball team (8-15) hung tough with UTSA (12-11) on Sunday afternoon, but fell in the end, 4-3, at Roadrunner Field. The Blazers rallied in the top of the seventh to draw within one and put two runners in scoring position, but were unable to drive any more runs home to extend the game.

Junior pitcher Claire Blount showcased her well-rounded game by stepping into the nine hole as the designated player and leading UAB at the plate, going 2-2 on the day with an RBI and a run scored. In the circle, Emily Kachel got the start after a dominant performance in relief in game two of Saturday's doubleheader. The Kennesaw, Ga., native gave up four runs on five hits in 3.2 innings, but also orchestrated seven strikeouts. Freshman Sarah Cespedes relieved Kachel in the bottom of the fourth, only allowing one hit in 2.1 innings and adding a pair of strikeouts.

"Not quite how you want to start conference play. We need to be better in all aspects of the game," said coach Jimmy Kolaitis. "We did show some fight at times. We have not put a full game together yet. We will get to work this week in practice and prepare for Samford this midweek and a tough three game series against Louisiana Tech. It's still early in conference play, and I have belief that we will figure this out."

In the top of the first, UAB was held scoreless as freshman outfielder Faith Hegh picked up the only hit in the half of the inning. UTSA came out firing though, striking a one-out single and cracking a two-run shot to left to take an early, 2-0 lead.

Both sides blanked at the plate in the second and third innings before finding a rhythm in the fourth. A pair of junior infielders in Ashton Clem and Dylinn Stancil got the Blazers going in the top half of the inning as Clem was hit by a pitch, and Stancil knocked a single. Both runners advanced a base on a passed ball shortly after, and freshman infielder Sierra Frazier picked up an RBI by hitting into a fielder's choice. Frazier would advance on a groundout and later be driven home on a Blount single to knot things up at 2 all.

UTSA wasted no time in taking back the lead as a double and single would send home the go-ahead run. After a walk, a single would be all that it took to help the Roadrunners tack on another one to increase their lead to 4-2.

The fifth and sixth innings mirrored the second and third as there was minimal action at the plate. Neither side was able to add a hit in either inning, leaving UAB down two heading into the top of the seventh.

Blount added her second hit of the day with one down in the seventh. Junior outfielder Destini England then reached on a fielder's choice, but she and Blount both remained on base after a throwing error. After a pop up brought the Blazers down to their final out, Hegh came up big with a single down the third base line that sent Blount home and allowed her to advance into scoring position with England at third. UAB now only trailed 4-3, but that would be the final as UTSA forced a groundout to clinch the game.

Next up for the Blazers will be a midweek contest at home against crosstown opponent Samford on Wednesday, March 13, at 6 p.m. at Mary Bowers Field.