Ladner Single Lifts UAB to Walkoff Win

Friday, April 5

Young Memorial Field

6:30 P.M.

UAB

14-17, 2-8

Old Dominion

16-13, 1-9

Old Dominion

UAB

Ladner Single Lifts UAB to Walkoff Win

4/5/2019 11:57:00 PM | Baseball

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BIRMINGHAM – A bases loaded single off the bat of Ian Ladner in the bottom of the 12th inning lifted the UAB baseball team to a 6-5 victory over Old Dominion on Friday night at Young Memorial Field.

After being walked off on four times this season, UAB registered its walkoff win this year. The victory was also the Blazers' first on a Friday night in Conference USA play since a 6-3 victory at Old Dominion on April 13 of last season.

"That was going to be a great joy for the team that won it and a great heartache for the team that lost it," head coach Brian Shoop said. "Both teams have been fighting and close. I keep telling you that every game is a war, every team in this league is good. That's a good level of baseball and thankfully we came out on top. I'm grateful for the win. We'll go sleep real fast and get back after it tomorrow, it's very important as well."

Ladner's lone hit of the night came in the bottom of the 12th inning as he was one of six Blazers to tally a hit in the marathon. Colton Schultz and Blake Johnson both led UAB with two hits each.

Alexander Pondick earned his first career victory, tossing a hitless top of the 12th inning, allowing one walk and collected a strikeout. Matthew Calvert was the most dominant of the six Blazer relievers as the senior lasted 3.1 innings and allowed no runs on one hit with a pair of strikeouts and a walk issued.

"Calvert was fantastic for us and got us out of some big jams," Shoop said.

Old Dominion (16-13, 1-9 C-USA) threw the first punch, scoring a pair of runs on an errant throw from UAB's Tyler Tolbert, giving the Monarchs a 2-1 lead in the third inning.

UAB (14-17, 2-8 C-USA) answered in the bottom half of the third as Johnson hit a leadoff single for his first base knock of the game. A single from Schultz moved Johnson to third, before he would score on a steal of home to cut the Monarch's lead to one.

The Blazers took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as Ladner and Tolbert were hit by pitches to lead off the inning followed by a single from Austin Triplett to score Ladner and tie the game at two. Tolbert stole home to give UAB its first lead of the game. Jess Davis became the third Blazer to be a struck by a pitch in the frame before Schultz plated both him and Triplett with a single to right field, giving UAB a 5-2 lead.

The Monarchs grabbed a run back in the top of the fifth inning, converting on a pair of singles in the frame with the finale one being good for a RBI to make it 5-3.

Old Dominion tied the game in the top of the seventh inning, scoring three runs on two hits with some help from the second UAB error of the night.

The game remained knotted at five until the 12th inning when Schultz led off the frame with a walk, followed by Zack Davis reaching on an error that moved Schultz to second. Carter Pharis was walked to load the bases for Ladner who proceeded to deliver a single into left field, giving UAB the Friday night victory.

UAB and Old Dominion are set to square off at 2 p.m. in game two on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to attend the UAB Football Pepsi Spring Game at 1 p.m. at Legion Field and then bring their ticket stub to Young Memorial Field and receive free admission into the baseball contest. This offer is valid Saturday only.

Fans also need to be aware that Legion FC will be hosting a game at BBVA Compass Field at 7 p.m. If needed, additional parking areas such as the nearby parking deck and the baseball lot located on 12th Street South are available. Parking for Sunday will not be affected.

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