The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
4-4
Ball State University
1-2
Softball Sweeps Doubleheader Over Ball State
2/18/2023 5:49:00 PM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Softball team swept a pair of games over Ball State on Saturday afternoon at Mary Bowers Field on day two of the UAB Blazer Bash.
The Blazers (5-4) compiled 18 total runs on 19 hits during the two-game sweep of the Cardinals (1-3).
"It felt good to get two wins today at home," said head coach AJ Daugherty. "We feel like we let several wins slip away from us so it's nice to finish the job today."
GAME 1: UAB (12) BALL STATE (1), 5 Innings
UAB erupted for 12 runs on 13 hits in the first game of a doubleheader to earn its first run-rule victory of the season.
The Blazer scored two runs on three hits in the top of the first to take an early 2-0 lead. Sierra Frazier picked up where she left off yesterday with a solo shot in the top of the first, followed by an RBI single from Allyson Smith three batters later.
For Frazier, it was her 28th career home run, moving her into sole possession of third place on UAB's career home runs list.
Ball State threatened in the top of the second, but an outfield assist from center fielder Lilly Crowe kept Ball State off the scoreboard as she threw out a runner at home plate.
Allyson Smith then added an RBI single in the bottom of the second and an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth to increase UAB's lead to 4-0. A two-RBI single from Kaily Collett increased UAB's lead to 6-0 after three.
Olivia Valbak's solo shot in the fourth sparked a six-run inning for the Blazers, and despite Ball State scoring one run in the top of the fifth, UAB cruised to a 12-1 five-inning victory.
GAME 2: UAB (6) BALL STATE (5)
Ball State struck first with a solo home run in the top of the second, but UAB responded with four runs in the bottom half. RBIs from Hannah Miles and Valbak highlighted the inning, and UAB also scored on a passed ball and bases-loaded walk.
The Cardinals tacked a run in the fourth with bases loaded groundout, but the starting pitcher Olivia Valbak was able to limit the threat, keeping the score 4-2 in favor of UAB.
UAB added a run in the fifth inning after Lindsey Smith reached on an error, was advanced to third on a sac bunt and a throwing error, and then scored on a wild pitch.
Ball State opened the sixth with a single, followed by a two-run home run from catcher McKayla Timmons, bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of UAB.
UAB added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as Hannah Miles scored on a wild pitch to give the Blazers a 6-4 lead. It proved to be a critical run as Ball State scored in the seventh to cut the lead to one run. The Cardinals had runners on the corners with two outs threatening to tie the game, but reliever Leigha Kirby got Timmons to pop out to end the game.
UP NEXT
The Blazers are back in action on Sunday with games against Belmont and Samford. Action at Mary Bowers Field starts at 12:30 p.m.
"We have our hands full again tomorrow with a pair of good teams coming in; so we look forward to another opportunity." said Daugherty.
FOLLOW UAB SOFTBALL
To keep up with UAB Softball, follow @UAB_SB on Instagram and Twitter. For game previews, stories, and more, check our UAB Softball home page.
2022-23 GOLD CARD
Softball season tickets are currently available by purchasing the 2022-23 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card will allow you to gain access to all home events for Women's Basketball, as well as Women's Soccer, Men's Soccer, Volleyball, Baseball, and Softball. Fans can purchase a Gold Card by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1. For questions, email tickets@uab.edu.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Cespedes, Sarah (1-2)
L: KING, Francys (0-1)
Batting:
2B: DANIEL, Amaia 1 ; MATHEWS, Kaitlyn 1
RBI: DANIEL, Amaia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: DUKEMAN, Hannah 1
Batting:
2B: Smith, Allyson 1
HR: Valbak, Olivia 1 ; Frazier, Sierra 1
RBI: Brock, Lauren 1 ; Valbak, Olivia 1 ; Frazier, Sierra 1 ; Smith, Allyson 2 ; Miles, Hannah 3 ; Collett, Kaily 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Valbak, Olivia 1 ; Frazier, Sierra 1 ; Lowery, Reese 1 ; Smith, Lindsey 2 ; Smith, Allyson 2 ; Crowe, Lilly 2 ; Miles, Hannah 2 ; Collett, Kaily 1
SB: Lowery, Reese 1 ; Miles, Hannah 1
HBP: Miles, Hannah 1
