UAB Falls to No. 4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa

Wednesday, April 3

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6 P.M.

UAB

14-21

Alabama

37-2

UAB

Alabama

UAB Falls to No. 4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa

4/3/2019 9:49:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The UAB softball team (14-21, 4-8 C-USA) was ousted by No. 4 Alabama (37-2, 7-2 SEC), 17-1, in five innings on Wednesday night at Rhoads Stadium. The Crimson Tide heated up early and never let up, scoring five runs in each of the first three innings. The Blazers added one of their own in the bottom of the fourth, but Alabama scored another pair in the bottom of the frame to seal the final tally.

At the plate, sophomore catcher Sarah Crawford lead UAB's efforts as she was a perfect 2-for-2. Serving as the designated player for the day, Crawford also drove in sophomore outfielder Jenna Olszewski for an RBI and the Blazers' only run of the game. In the circle, three Blazers evenly split the workload going 1.1 innings each. Junior Claire Blount got the start and gave up eight runs on seven hits with a strikeout. Sophomore Bailie Barnes came next, giving up seven runs on three hits. Freshman Sarah Cespedes then finished the game, giving up two runs on two hits with a strikeout.

"We got beat in every category of the game today from pitching to defense to hitting to coaching," said coach Jimmy Kolaitis. "We need to turn our attention to the weekend as we prepare for our series against Middle Tennessee State. We have a chance to compete inside our league, and I'm confident that this team will recover this weekend in Murfreesboro."

The Blazers put the bat on the ball early with a couple of drives to the outfield, but neither would fall as Alabama retired the side in order in the top of the first. Alabama was then able to find some gaps in the UAB defense in the bottom of the frame, plating five to take an early, 5-0 lead. The Crimson Tide started its rally with a leadoff single. After the runner stole second, a single up the middle put Alabama on the board. Three more consecutive singles to follow drove in three more runs, and sacrifice fly after a walk drove in the fifth run. Blount picked up one strikeout in the inning.

UAB made contact again in the top of the second, but was still unable to reach base. In the bottom half of the inning, the Tide kept rolling. After grounding out to start the inning, Alabama singled and walked before driving a three-run shot down the left-field line to take an 8-0 lead. Barnes replaced Blount from there, giving up a walk and a two-run blast to left before forcing a groundout to get out of the inning down 10.

The Blazers got some momentum going in the top of the third starting with a single from Crawford. Junior infielder Ashton Clem got on next with a single of her own, giving UAB two on with one out. Faith Hegh was hit by a pitch soon after to load the bases, but the Blazers were unable to send anyone home.

Alabama kept its foot on the gas in the bottom of the third, scoring 5 runs once again in the frame. After a single and a pair of walks, a sacrifice fly drove in the first run of the inning. Three consecutive walks scored two more, and a ground out to follow scored a run from third. After an error allowed the Crimson Tide to drive in another run and take a 15-0 lead, freshman pitcher Sarah Cespedes replaced Barnes in the circle and forced a groundout to end the inning.

UAB broke through in the top of the fourth by scoring a run to end Alabama's shutout. Olszewski got on with an infield single to lead off the inning, then advanced to second on a groundout. Crawford came up next for the Blazers and cracked a single up the middle to give Olszewski time to round third and score UAB's first run.

Alabama still didn't let up, scoring a pair in the bottom of the fourth. After a walk to open the inning, the Crimson Tide cranked a two-run bomb over center field, extending the lead to 17-1. Cespedes didn't allow another run beyond that, picking up a strikeout and forcing a pair of putouts to end the inning. UAB then went three up, three down in the top of the fifth to conclude the game early, 17-1.

UAB will stay on the road next, traveling to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to take on Middle Tennessee State in another weekend conference series. The Blazers and Blue Raiders will square off in a doubleheader on Saturday, then wrap up the series on Sunday. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 2 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. start time for game two on Saturday. The series finale is set to begin at noon on Sunday.

General admission tickets for home games are on sale for $5 for adults and $3 for youth and chairback seats are available for $10 for adults and $6 for youth. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, online at uabsports.com, or by calling the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.

Fans can receive access to every softball, women's basketball and baseball game for the entire 2018-19 season by purchasing a Gold Card. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.

For more information on the UAB softball team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_SB).