The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

Monarchs Take Game Two to Even Series With Blazers
4/6/2019 6:11:00 PM | Baseball
UAB (14-18, 2-9 C-USA) heads into Sunday in search of its first series victory in Conference USA play this season. The victory would also be the Blazers' first home league series win since defeating Middle Tennessee April 23-24, 2016.
"I think when you give up 10 runs in an inning you are not going to win," head coach Brian Shoop said.
Justin Wiley had a career day at the plate, setting personal bests in hits (4), runs (2) and RBI (2), while adding a stolen base. The sophomore also registered a pair of triples, becoming the first Blazer with two triples in a game since Keith DePew accomplished the task against Cleveland State on March 4, 2011.
After hitting the walk off single in game one, Ian Ladner picked up right where he left off, matching his career high in hits with three, including a home run, a double and a pair of RBIs with a run score.
Colton Schultz finished with a pair of hits, his second multi-hit game in as many contests. The Huntsville native went 2-for5 with a pair of runs scored and a RBI.
The UAB pitching staff struggled, allowing 14 runs on 16 hits, while issuing five free passes and throwing six wild pitches. Nathan Anthes also allowed a pair of passed balls in his fifth start behind the plate this season.
Tanner Rusk (1-2) took the loss for the Blazers, lasting a season low 3.0 innings and allowed a career high seven runs on seven hits with two walks and just one strikeout.
It was UAB who struck first, as Schultz reached on a one-out error in the first inning. A swipe of second moved him into scoring position, before Carter Pharis registered the first hit of the game with a single to left field, scoring Schultz to give UAB a 1-0 lead.
The Blazers added onto their lead in the third inning as Wiley recorded his first hit of the game with a leadoff single through the left side. After a stolen base Jess Davis doubled up the middle, scoring Wiley pushing UAB's lead to two.
From there it was all Old Dominion as the Monarchs scored eight runs before UAB ever recorded an out to begin the fourth inning. The Monarchs added on two more runs to close the frame, taking a commanding 10-2 lead.
The Monarchs added onto their lead in the sixth inning plating a pair of runs on two hits with the help of three wild pitches from UAB to lead 12-2.
UAB got a run back in the bottom of the seventh inning as Schultz drove a two out single through the right side, plating Wiley who hit his first triple, making it a 12-3 game.
The Blazers regained some momentum in the eighth inning, starting off with Ladner's solo shot to cut the Monarchs' lead to eight. Blake Johnson was hit by a pitch followed by a walk from pinch hitter Christian Waltman to put a pair of runners on for Wiley who scorched his second triple of the game, scoring Johnson and Waltman to put it at a 12-6 game.
Old Dominion added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning, scoring two runs on three hits to give itself an eight run cushion going into the bottom of the ninth inning.
UAB made a final push in the ninth inning as Schultz led off the inning with a single into center field. Three batters later Ladner knocked his third hit of the game with a single through the left side of the infield, scoring Schultz for the seventh and final UAB run of the game. The Blazers ended the game and the threat with a 5-4-3 double play.
UAB and Old Dominion square off in the rubber match on Sunday with first pitch set for 12 p.m.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball) or on Instagram (UAB_Baseball).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ryne Moore (5-2)
L: Rusk, Tanner (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Tommy Bell 1 ; Michael Marrale 2
3B: Ryan Teschko 1
HR: Vinnie Pasquantino 1
RBI: Matt Burch 2 ; Vinnie Pasquantino 2 ; Andy Garriola 1 ; Ryan Teschko 2 ; Tommy Bell 1 ; Michael Marrale 2
SF: Kyle Battle 1 ; Ryan Teschko 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bryce Windham 1 ; Matt Burch 2 ; Vinnie Pasquantino 1 ; Kyle Battle 2 ; Andy Garriola 1 ; Ryan Teschko 2 ; Erik Stock 1 ; Tommy Bell 2 ; Michael Marrale 2
SB: Kyle Battle 1
CS: Andy Garriola 1

Batting:
2B: Davis, Jess 1 ; Ladner, Ian 1
3B: Wiley, Justin 2
HR: Ladner, Ian 1
RBI: Davis, Jess 1 ; Schultz, Colton 1 ; Pharis, Carter 1 ; Ladner, Ian 2 ; Wiley, Justin 2
SH: Triplett, Austin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Schultz, Colton 2 ; Ladner, Ian 1 ; Johnson, Blake 1 ; Waltman, Christian 1 ; Wiley, Justin 2
SB: Schultz, Colton 1 ; Wiley, Justin 1
HBP: Johnson, Blake 1