UAB Splits Series-Opening Doubleheader at Middle Tennessee

Saturday, April 6

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

2 P.M.

UAB

Middle Tennessee

UAB Splits Series-Opening Doubleheader at Middle Tennessee

4/6/2019 11:40:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The UAB softball team (15-22, 5-9 C-USA) split a doubleheader with Middle Tennessee (23-17, 7-4 C-USA) at the Blue Raider Softball Field on Saturday. Middle Tennessee edged UAB in game one, 6-5, but the Blazers roared back in game two to take a 3-1 win.

UAB got on top early in game one, picking up a run in the first inning and later increasing the lead to five in the third inning. The Blazers would not score another run in the game as the Blue Raiders responded with back-to-back three-run innings in the bottom of the third and fourth to climb on top and hold on for the 6-5 win. UAB scored early again in the game two, holding a 1-0 lead from the top of the first through the top of the fourth, where the Blazers added two more. Middle Tennessee inched closer with a run of its own in the bottom of the fourth, but both sides would blank the rest of the game at the plate as UAB held tight for the 3-1 win.

Game One: Middle Tennessee 6, UAB 5

The Blazers got going early in game one as junior infielder Natalie Erwin led off the game with a single through the right side. Later, fellow junior infielder Dylinn Stancil cracked a double and was driven home after advancing to third on a single by freshman Sierra Frazier to put the Blazers on the board. In the bottom of the frame, the Blue Raiders were unable to get anything going, just adding a single before strikeout and pair of putouts, courtesy of sophomore pitcher Emily Kachel, ended the inning.

Neither squad was able to get going in the second inning as the Blazers just picked up a single from freshman infielder Sadie Frazier, while the Blue Raiders also picked up nothing more than a single as Kachel knocked down a pair swinging.

Both sides created momentum at the plate in the third, scoring a combined seven runs in the frame. In the top of the third, sophomore outfielder Jenna Olszewski got a two-out rally going with a single to shallow center. After stealing second, Olszewski was driven home on a rope to left field by Sierra Frazier. Junior outfielder Destini England then singled to put runners on the corners, setting up sophomore catcher Sarah Crawford's three-run bomb to left-center to put UAB up, 5-0.

In the bottom of the third, Middle Tennessee chipped away at the Blazer lead with three of their own. The first run was walked home after the bases were loaded on an error, a single and a walk. Another error to follow then allowed two more runners to score, cutting UAB's lead to 5-3.

The Blazers threatened with a pair on in the top of the fourth after junior infielder Ashton Clem singled and Stancil drew a walk, but neither was driven home. The Blue Raiders kept rolling in the bottom of the frame, adding three more behind three straight singles to plate one, a sacrifice fly to even things up and jumped ahead, 6-5, after advancing on an error.

Both defenses held fast for the rest of the game as only three hits followed the bottom of the fourth. Erwin picked up a single for UAB, but that would be it as the Blazers fell by a run, 6-5.

Crawford and Sierra Frazier led the way for the Blazers from the batter's box in game one as Crawford finished with three RBI and a run scored from her dinger, while Sierra Frazier went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored as well. Kachel and freshman Sarah Cespedes evenly split time in the circle for the game as Kachel got the start and gave up six runs on six hits with three strikeouts, while Cespedes gave up no runs on two hits with a strikeout in her three innings of work.

Game Two: UAB 3, Middle Tennessee 1

The Blazers got off to another good start in game two as Hegh created a spark by driving one to center field for a stand-up double. Olszewski later singled to left, scoring Hegh and putting the Blazers on top. Sierra Frazier doubled down the left field line to follow, but UAB was unable to add onto its lead. Cespedes then took care of business in the bottom of the first, forcing a pair of putouts and ending the inning with her first strikeout of the game.

Like game one, neither team was able to make any noise at the plate in the second inning. Clem drew a walk for UAB while Middle Tennessee added a one-out double, but both defenses held tight beyond that. The third inning also remained scoreless as Olszewski drew a walk for UAB while Middle Tennessee added a pair of singles, but nothing more as the Blazers preserved their narrow lead.

UAB got going again from the plate in the top of the third as England got on first with a single to right. After Clem was next hit by a pitch, Erwin cracked a two-RBI double to dead center that sent home England and Clem.

Like déjà vu from game one, Middle Tennessee answered back in the bottom of the third. After starting off with a walk and a single, the Blue Raiders added another single to center field to draw a run closer. That would be it for Middle Tennessee this time as UAB would force a pair of putouts to stay ahead, 3-1.

The Blazers were unable to build on their momentum from the previous inning in the top of the fifth, going down in order. Junior pitcher Claire Blount then replaced Cespedes in the bottom half of the frame. The Blue Raiders threatened by moving a runner to third after a walk and a single, but Middle Tennessee was unable to drive a run home.

The sixth inning was quiet for both sides as each squad went down in order. The top of the seventh was no different for the Blazers went down in the same fashion. With the game on the line for the Blue Raiders, they picked up a one-out double to keep their hopes alive, but a ground out and fly out to follow sealed their fate as UAB finished on top, 3-1.

At the plate, Erwin and Olszewski made the biggest impact for the Blazers in game two. While Erwin came through with a two-RBI double in the top of the third, Olszewski contributed in nearly every at-bat, going 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk. In the circle, Cespedes earned the win after starting and going four full innings, giving up just one run on five hits with one strikeout. Blount closed out the game going three innings, blanking the Blue Raiders after giving up just two hits.

The Blazers will be back in action on Sunday at noon to decide the series at the Blue Raider Softball Field.

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