UAB Softball Goes 2-0 to Open Conference USA Schedule

Friday, April 2

Denton, TX

3:00 P.M.

UAB

14-13, 0

North Texas

14-8, 0

UAB

North Texas

Photo by: Rick Yeatts

UAB Softball Goes 2-0 to Open Conference USA Schedule

4/2/2021 10:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

DENTON, Texas - The UAB softball team opened Conference USA play 2-0 on Friday, sweeping the first of its two double-headers on the road at North Texas and earning the first true road victory of the season.

The Blazers (15-13, 2-0 C-USA) started the day with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory in the first game, before finishing with a 5-1 win in game two over the Mean Green.

KK Crocker and Faith Hegh each had a team-high three hits on the day, with Crocker hitting the sole UAB homerun.
Emily Kachel and Parker Conrad each earned victories in the circle, with UAB's five pitchers combining for nine strikeouts.

"Two great team wins," head coach Joe Guthrie said. "I'm happy for our players. The little things like taking extra bases on offense or making your outs on the ground with two outs matter. All our pitchers did their jobs. Tomorrow is now the most important day of the series. We have to make it our best effort."

GAME ONE – UAB 3, North Texas 2
The Mean Green opened the first of its four games with UAB with a hot bat, hitting a two-run homerun in the top of the first. Despite the quick offense from North Texas, the game became a pitcher's duel after the first inning.

The two teams traded zeros in the second, third and fourth innings.

KK Crocker was able to help the Blazers chip away at the Mean Greens' lead, hitting a solo homerun in the top of the fifth, making it a 2-1 game.

It was Crocker's first over-the-wall homerun of her career. Her last was an inside-the-park home run against ULM on Feb. 15, 2020.

In the bottom of the sixth, Parker Conrad entered the circle for Jaycee Cook, who pitched the first five innings.

Conrad finished off the inning by striking out two North Texas batters.

To open the seventh, Sierra Frazier drew a walk, followed by Faith Hegh reaching on an error and advancing Frazier to third base.

After Taylor Watford was hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded for UAB. Sam Bean was able to capitalize with a two RBI single, her first hit of the day, scoring Hegh and Frazier and putting the Blazers up 3-2.

Conrad (4-2) remained in the circle in the bottom of the seventh, allowing just one hit and no runs and earning her fourth victory of the season.

In the game, she pitched two innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two. Cook went five innings, allowing four hits, two runs, one walk and recording two strikeouts.

GAME TWO - UAB 5, North Texas 1
In game two, it was the Green and Gold who got off to a hot start.

KK Crocker led off with a single, followed by a Jenna Olszewski RBI double that scored Crocker. Sierra Frazier then singled up the middle, scoring Olszewski.

With one out, Faith Hegh reached on an error, advancing to second, and Frazier scored, putting UAB up 3-0.

Taylor Watford then drew a walk, before Lilly Crowe singled up the middle.

Brooke Burback then reached on a fielder's choice, while Hegh was tagged out at home.

The next batter, Brooke Davis, reached on an error by the Mean Green first baseman, which allowed Burback and Watford to score.

The Blazers finished the inning up 5-0, recording five runs on four hits and two North Texas errors.

The Mean Green was able to cut the lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the first.

The two teams were both held scoreless for the rest of the game.

Amy Woodham, who pitched the first inning, re-entered the circle in the bottom of the seventh, facing four batters and striking out one to close out the win for UAB.

Emily Kachel (3-2) earned the win, allowing three hits in three innings and striking out two. Sarah Cespedes pitched two innings of relief, allowing no hits, one walk and recording one strikeout.

This was the first time the Mean Green has lost both games of a double-header against the same team since 2018.

UAB will play the final two-games of the series against North Texas tomorrow with another doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Lovelace Stadium.