UAB Baseball Splits Friday Doubleheader with No. 17 Louisiana Tech

Friday, April 2

Ruston, La.

2 PM

UAB

9-15, 2-4

Louisiana Tech

19-6, 5-1

UAB

Louisiana Tech

UAB Baseball Splits Friday Doubleheader with No. 17 Louisiana Tech

4/2/2021 8:12:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

RUSTON, La. - The UAB baseball team spilt a Friday afternoon doubleheader at No. 17 Louisiana Tech, dropping game one, 6-4, before taking game two, 9-3.

The win in game two of the day marked the first time UAB has defeated a ranked opponent since April 29, 2018 at Florida Atlantic.

"Tyler O'Clair was outstanding today," head coach Perry Roth said. "He executed pitches over and over again. Riley Davis set the tone in the first game even though well fell short of our plan."

GAME ONE | UAB 4, Louisiana Tech 6

Riley Davis took the loss in game one and drops to 3-2 on the year, while LA Tech starter Ryan Jennings was credited with the win and is now 3-1.

John Marc Mullins led the squad with two hits on the day, including a second inning solo home run, his third of the season. Chandler Simpson, Zack Davis and Jake Killingsworth all tallied a hit apiece as well.

UAB drew first blood in the top half of the first inning as Simpson crossed home plate on a single to right by Zack Davis, putting the Blazers up, 1-0.

In the second, the Green and Gold tallied another run with a Mullins moon-shot homer to right field to make the score 2-0.

Louisiana Tech answered in the bottom of the third and got on the scoreboard on an RBI single by Corona, scoring Manny Garcia and cutting the UAB lead to 2-1.

The Bulldogs took their first lead of the contest in the fifth on a three-run home run by Manny Garcia, his second of the series. Another LA Tech base hit scored one more and the Bulldogs led 6-1 after five.

UAB rallied in the seventh and added a run on an RBI double by freshman pinch hitter Killingsworth, but it was too little, too late for the Blazers as Louisiana Tech took game one, 6-4.

GAME TWO | UAB 9, Louisiana Tech 3

O'Clair pitched 6.2 innings en route to his third win of the season, as he improves to 3-2 on the year. Cade Gibson (2-2) took the loss for the Bulldogs.

"Our lineup was so competitive in this game with Zack (Davis) and Colton (Schultz) delivering hits," Roth said. "It is always fun to win on the road and in good environments."

O'Clair ended the game giving up just six hits and three runs to go along with a pair of strikeouts.

Zack Davis, Ian Ladner and Darryl Buggs each recorded two hits, all singles except a fourth inning RBI double by Zack Davis.

UAB got on the board first in the fourth inning, as Killingsworth drove in Zack Davis with a sacrifice fly. Buggs then doubled down the left field line, driving in Ian Ladner and making the score 2-0. A passed ball allowed Mullins to score before Schultz doubled down the right field line to clear the bases and bring home three runs. In his second at-bat of the frame, Zack Davis sent a three-run homer over the right field fence and UAB led 8-0 after four.

The Blazers tacked on an insurance run in the fifth, as freshman David Harris singled through the left side of the infield and drove in Buggs, putting UAB up 9-0.

Louisiana Tech got on the board in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three runs on four hits for the final score of 9-3.

UAB returns to J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park tomorrow for the conclusion of the four-game series in Ruston. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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

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.

BASEBALL AT REGIONS FIELD

Regions Field will accommodate fans, including Gold Card holders and students, with social distancing measures in place.

Fans will be asked to practice social distancing and sit in available seats. Masks are required at all times per state and county ordinance.

BASEBALL SINGLE GAME TICKETS

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