UAB Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Florida Atlantic

Saturday, April 17

Birmingham, Ala.

1 PM

UAB

11-22, 4-10

Florida Atlantic

17-17, 6-8

Florida Atlantic

UAB

UAB Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Florida Atlantic

4/17/2021 7:33:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Season Stats

BIRMINGHAM — The UAB baseball team split its Saturday afternoon doubleheader with Florida Atlantic at Young Memorial Field. The Owls took game one by a score of 2-1, and the Blazers answered in game two for the 4-2 win.

"The response in game two took a lot of relentlessness by the team," head coach Perry Roth said. "There were a number of defensive plays and the home run by Leo Harris gave a lot of energy in the dugout."

GAME ONE – UAB 1, FAU 2

Tyler O'Clair went 6.2 innings with 10 strikeouts in game one, but picked up the loss to fall to 3-4 on the season. Dante Visconti (1-2) was credited with the win and Sam Drumheller (1) with the save.

Florida Atlantic got on the board first in the third on back-to-back doubles with one out to take the lead, 1-0.

The Blazers answered in the bottom of the sixth. Pate Fullerton drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a Jess Davis single in the next at bat. Fullerton came home on a Chandler Simpson sacrifice fly to tie the game at one.

In the seventh, Steven Loden provided the game-winner on a leadoff home run. Ian Ladner drew a leadoff walk to put the tying run on base. Darryl Buggs came in to pinch run for Ladner and advanced to second on an error by the catcher but was unable to score as Florida Atlantic took game one, 2-1.

GAME TWO – UAB 4, FAU 2

Tanner Rusk pitched three innings en route to his first win of the season, as he improves to 1-1. Brady Greene picked up his first save after entering in relief in the seventh. Matt Sparling (2-3) took the loss for the Owls.

"Our pitching staff in game two picked up right where Tyler (O'Clair) left off in game one," Roth added. "Collin Taylor did a great job to get us out of a jam in the fourth and Brady (Greene) came in to close out the game shows what our staff is capable off."

UAB drew the first score in the bottom of the first. Simpson reached on an error by the pitcher for the first baserunner. Colton Schultz singled to advance Simpson to second. Following two more errors by the Owls, the Blazers took the 2-0 lead.

In the second, Leo Harris hit his first career home run to bring the Blazers' lead to three.

Florida Atlantic answered in the top of the third courtesy of a leadoff double by Loden, who was brought in two batters later. Schultz came up in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff triple and Zack Davis advanced him home in the next at bat to bring the Blazers' lead back to three, 4-1.

The Owls scored a run in the fourth, cutting the Green and Gold's lead in half. Greene came in during the seventh and recorded the final three outs for the 4-2 win.

UAB returns to Young Memorial Field Sunday for the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and airing on ESPN+. Streaming information and live stats are available on the UAB baseball schedule page.

BASEBALL AT YOUNG MEMORIAL FIELD

Fans, including Gold Card holders and students, will not be permitted to attend home baseball games played at Young Memorial Field. Attendees will be limited to the player pass list and limited premium spaces.

Attendees will be asked to practice social distancing and wear a mask at all times per state and county ordinance.