UAB Softball Splits Saturday Doubleheader with FAU

Saturday, March 11

Mary Bowers Field

12 PM

UAB

10-13, 0

Florida Atlantic University

18-7, 0

FAU

UAB

UAB Softball Splits Saturday Doubleheader with FAU

3/11/2023 5:58:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score (PDF)Game 2 Box Score (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM – UAB Softball concluded their weekend series on Saturday afternoon versus the FAU Owls in a doubleheader matchup. The Blazers dropped game one, 2-0, before bouncing back and securing their first conference win of the season with a 7-0 win over the Owls.

The Blazers now sit at a record of 11-13 and a conference record of 1-2.

"Proud to end the series on a good offensive showing," said head coach AJ Daugherty. "We struggled to get the bats going in the first two games, but they had a lot to do with that. They played solid defense and took several big hits away from us. We've got to find ways to produce the runs and take away the pressure off our pitchers. We'll get back to work."

GAME ONE: UAB (0) FAU (2)
The Blazers and Owls pitchers battled in the circle, going most of the game without a run scored. The current and previous C-USA Pitchers of the Week, Gabby Sacco and Olivia Valbak went for blows at pitcher, with Valbak delivering six strikeouts throughout the game.

The defensive efforts in the first inning were felt by FAU, with the second play of a game stemming from a double play from Valbak to Alyssa Aguilar. The Blazers and Owls continued to show their pitching and defensive prowess on both sides, with only five runners left on base until the seventh inning.

Entering the top of the seventh, FAU's Ennis would reach first on a fielding error from Bella Wiggins, which allowed Peterson, who was on second to get a run. FAU's Baker approached the plate, hitting a double to center field to allow Ennis a run.

In the bottom of the seventh, Cassady Greenwood entered for Sierra Frazier, gaining a walk to put her on first. Immediately following with Valbak at bat, Reese Lowery entered as a pinch runner, but would be grounded out in a double play from shortstop to first base. With two outs on the board, Lilly Crowe came to bat, but delivered a flyball out to left field to end the first game.

GAME TWO: UAB (7) FAU (0)
Entering game two, UAB and FAU had a similar start like the first. At the top of the third, FAU threatened to score after a single to right center and another single to third base to put two Owls on base. FAU's Berthiaume came up to bat, but grounded out to Lauren Brock to bring the game to the bottom of the third.

The bottom of the third started with Miles being hit by a pitch to put her on base. Going to the top of the order, Brock delivered a single, and Miles advanced to third on the throw to give the Blazers the threat to score. Brock followed up with a stolen base to put UAB in position to shift the game in its favor.

With Valbak to bat, she delivered a single to give Miles a run. Droddy then gave an RBI double to give Valbak, Wiggins (who reached on a walk), and Brock runs to extend the lead to four.

In the bottom of the fifth, Wiggins and Valbak both reached on a single. Droddy then came to bat and reached on a fielding error before advancing on the throw. Valbak and Wiggins crossed home plate to extend the lead to 6-0. The final run would come from a run from Arden Plugge, who pinch ran for Alyssa Aguilar.

IN THE BOX

The Blazers totaled eight hits in the doubleheader series
Both Leigha Kirby and Olivia Valbak finished the weekend with eight batters struck out between the two
UAB snapped a seven-game losing streak and tallied their second highest amount of runs at home with seven

UP NEXT
The Blazers return to action next Wednesday March 15, where they travel to Tennessee next week to take on the Tennessee State University Lady Tigers. They then resume conference play on Friday, March 17 competing against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders.