Blazers Drop Regions Field Season Finale to Alabama, 3-2

Tuesday, April 16

Regions Field

6:30 P.M.

UAB

16-22

Alabama

24-14

Alabama

UAB

Blazers Drop Regions Field Season Finale to Alabama, 3-2

4/16/2019 10:27:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

BIRMINGHAM - Despite a comeback attempt in the ninth inning, the UAB baseball team fell 3-2 to Alabama on Tuesday night in the Blazers' season finale at Regions Field.

UAB saw its mid-week winning streak come to a close, while the Blazers finished with a 5-5 record at Regions Field for the 2019 campaign.

"Our pitchers just did great and I was so proud of our pitching staff," head coach Brian Shoop said. "We used eight guys and they pieced together a really good game and held a really good offense in check. It's a shame because the three runs that scored were off of a wild pitch, dropped routine foul ball and a walk. They did great and I was proud of the staff. They gave us a great chance."

Senior Blake Johnson led the Green and Gold in hits with two, while Ian Ladner and Carter Pharis each drove in a run, with the latter coming on a home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Garret Rukes (3-0) picked up the win for Alabama (24-14, 4-11 SEC), while Riley Davis (3-2) took the loss for the Blazers (16-22, 3-12 C-USA). Jeremy Randolph recorded his sixth save of the campaign for the Crimson Tide.

UAB's pitchers were impressive in the loss. The Blazers used eight arms on the night, giving up only three runs on just seven hits. Ryan Wesson and Austin Stump each hurled 1.1 innings in relief, with neither allowing a run. Wesson struck out three batters, while Stump stuck out one man and walked none.

The Crimson Tide got on the board first in the top half of the fourth inning as Drew Williamson crossed home on a wild pitch, giving Alabama a 1-0 advantage.

The Blazers answered in the bottom half as Ladner grounded out to first base, plating Schultz from third base to tie the score at one.

Alabama notched a run for the second straight frame in the fifth when T.J. Reeves grounded out, scoring Kieth Holcombe from third and giving the lead back to the visitors, 2-1.

The visitors from Tuscaloosa added an insurance run via a bases-loaded walk in the top of the ninth to push their advantage to 3-1.

Pharis attempted to kickstart a Blazer comeback in the ninth inning with a line-drive home run to left field, notching his fourth home run and 25th RBI of the season, but the rally ended just there as UAB fell, 3-2.

The Blazers return to the diamond on Thursday as they are set to host a three-game series at Young Memorial Field against Conference USA foe UTSA. First pitch of game one is set for 6:30 p.m.

For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball) and Instagram (@uab_baseball).