Blazers Edged by Middle Tennessee in Nail-Biter, 5-4

Thursday, May 2

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

6 p.m.

UAB

16-31, 5-16

Middle Tennessee

26-24, 10-11

UAB

Middle Tennessee

Blazers Edged by Middle Tennessee in Nail-Biter, 5-4

5/2/2019 10:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The UAB softball team (16-31, 5-16 C-USA) came within an out of taking down Middle Tennessee (26-24, 10-11 C-USA) on Thursday night to claim the series, but ultimately fell as the Blue Raiders popped a 2-RBI single into shallow center field to walk it off on top, 5-4. The Blazers led for the majority of the game after taking the lead in the top of the second, but Middle Tennessee evened things up in the bottom of the fifth and overcame the Blazers' go-ahead run in the top of the sixth to come out with the win.

Junior infielder Natalie Erwin led the Blazer bats in the game, going 2-for-4 at the plate and earning three RBI on a double in the top of the second. In the circle, junior Claire Blount chalked the start and pitched 4.1 innings, giving up three runs on five hits while picking up five strikeouts. Freshman Sarah Cespedes took over from there, giving up two runs on three hits with one strikeout in 2.1 innings of work to take the loss.

The Blazers struck first with a two-out rally in the top of the second, starting off with sophomore left-fielder Sarah Crawford reaching on an error. After Blount and freshman infielder Sadie Frazier were subsequently walked to load the bases, Erwin crushed a 3-RBI double off the wall to give UAB the early advantage.

Following the Blazers' quick burst in the second inning, both sides battened down defensively until the Blue Raiders evened things up in the bottom of the fifth. Middle Tennessee got started with a leadoff double, and the runner was pushed home shortly after with a ground ball and a sacrifice bunt for a single to follow. After the two runners on base completed a double steal, the Blue Raiders' leadoff batter stepped to the plate next and cracked a 2-RBI triple. Cespedes then replaced Blount in the circle, forcing a pair of putouts to finish the inning.

UAB took the blow in stride, jumping back on top in the next frame. Blount, still in the batting order as the designated player, led off the inning with a double to right-center. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, she was driven home by Clem on a grounder that was mishandled by the pitcher to put the Blazers back up, 4-3.

Down to its final three outs, Middle Tennessee led off the bottom of the seventh with a double. A groundout to follow quickly moved the tying run to third with one down. The next Blue Raider drew a walk and stole second shortly after, giving Middle Tennessee two runners in scoring position, still with one down. The Blazers next forced a groundout, leaving the Blue Raiders down to their final out, but Middle Tennessee came through with a 2-RBI single in shallow center field to ice the game, 5-4.

The Blazers will next head to Charlotte, N.C., to wrap up the regular season in their final conference series against the 49ers. UAB and Charlotte are scheduled to compete in a doubleheader on Saturday with games at noon and 2 p.m., then play in the regular season finale at 11 a.m. on Sunday at Sue M. Daughtridge Stadium. All times listed are central standard time. Live stats will be provided through SIDEARM for the series, and a live stream will be available through the Conference USA website.

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