UAB Drops Doubleheader at UTSA

Saturday, March 9

San Antonio, Texas

1 P.M.

UAB

8-13, 0-1

UTSA

10-11, 1-0

UAB

UTSA

UAB Drops Doubleheader at UTSA

3/9/2019 9:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The UAB softball team (8-14) came up short in both games of its conference-opening doubleheader against UTSA (11-11) on Saturday at Roadrunner Field. The Blazers dropped game one, 7-0, then fell in game two, 7-5, despite a comeback run that brought them within two after being down seven early.

Game One: UTSA 7, UAB 0

UAB opened the game on a positive note with a leadoff single from freshman outfielder Faith Hegh, but was unable to get anything going beyond that in the top of the first. UTSA had no trouble early, leading off the bottom half of the inning with a single and a two-run shot to follow, going into the top of the second up, 2-0.

The next few innings were quiet as neither team was able to get on the board again through the fourth inning. UAB picked up a few hits over the span, but was unable to string them together, while UTSA was unable pick up a hit throughout those three innings.

Junior infielder Ashton Clem got the Blazers started in the top of the fifth with a leadoff single, but UAB was unable to capitalize on the early advantage. UTSA exploded in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of a pair of Blazer walks and reaching on a fielder's choice by knocking a grand slam to take a 6-0 lead over UAB. The Roadrunners slapped two more singles to follow, but UAB got out of the jam with a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Sophomore outfielder Jenna Olszewski led the top of the sixth off with a single, but the Blazers were again put out to follow. UTSA then extended its lead to open the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot over center field. UAB wouldn't allow another run for the remainder of the game and did load the bases with three consecutive singles in the top of the seventh, but were unable to break the ice. Despite leading the Roadrunners in hits, 9-7, the Blazers ultimately fell, 7-0.

Clem led the Blazers at the plate in the game, going a perfect 3-3, while freshman pitcher Sarah Cespedes and sophomore pitcher Bailie Barnes manned the circle throughout the game. Cespedes started and put in 4.1 innings of work, giving up four runs and two hits while notching three strikeouts. Barnes came in for relief and pitched 1.2 innings, giving up three runs on five hits.

Game Two: UTSA 7, UAB 5

UAB opened game two the same as game one with a leadoff single from Hegh, but again, neither side was able to get on the board through the first inning. The Blazers opened the top of the second with another leadoff single, this time from Clem, but were still put out with a runner on. In the bottom of the second, UTSA broke things open. A pair of doubles got the first run in. After a walk and a single to load the bases, a Roadrunner triple cleared the them. UTSA followed that with one more RBI single before the Blazers closed out the inning, giving the Roadrunners a 5-0 advantage heading into the top of the third.

A Hegh single was all UAB tallied in the top of the third. UTSA continued its success at the plate, adding two more runs to take a commanding, 7-0 lead. The Roadrunners got on the board again behind a handful of singles.

In the top of the fourth, the Blazers began to make a comeback. Natalie Erwin got UAB going with a solo shot to left center to lead off the inning. Freshman infielder Sadie Frazier followed that with a single to left. Clem then reached on a fielder's choice, advancing to third on a Dylinn Stancil single. With two on, sophomore infielder Rachel Owens stepped to the plate and cracked a two-RBI double. Destini England would pop a single to follow, but Owens would be thrown out in a close play at the plate to end the inning with the Blazers now trailing 7-3.

From the bottom of the fourth inning on, UAB would shut down UTSA at the plate. Neither side would get anything going in the fifth, but UAB continued to climb back in the top of the sixth. The Blazers would load the bases after a Clem single, a Stancil walk and sophomore catcher Sarah Crawford reaching on error. With one down, Destini Englad would single to drive in Clem and Stancil after a fielding error allowed them to snatch an extra base. With those two on the board and no score by UTSA in the bottom of the sixth, UAB would head into the top of the seventh inning only trailing 7-5.

UAB started the top of the seventh in a great position, trailing just two with two on base after Olszewski reached on an error and Natalie Erwin knocked a single. The Roadrunners shut down the comeback attempt though, forcing a double play and a groundout to wrap up the game on top, 7-5.

Sophomore pitcher Emily Kachel was a major factor in the Blazer's comeback, firing seven strikeouts in just 3.1 innings pitched and only allowing one hit and no runs. Junior pitcher Claire Blount started the game, going 2.2 innings and allowing seven runs on nine hits with three strikeouts. Hegh led the Blazers at the plate, going 3-4 in the game.

The Blazers will be back in action on Sunday at 1 p.m. to wrap up the series at Roadrunner field.