Valbak Delivers Walk-Off RBI to Secure Friday Night Win

Friday, March 24

Mary Bowers Field

5 PM

UAB

14-16, 0

Florida International University

15-16, 0

FIU

UAB

Valbak Delivers Walk-Off RBI to Secure Friday Night Win

3/24/2023 9:20:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM – UAB Softball (14-16, 3-4 C-USA) went the distance on Friday night against Florida International. Going a total of nine innings, the Blazers and Panthers left fans on the edge of their seats before a walk-off RBI from utility Olivia Valbak gave the Blazers the 4-3 win.

The Blazers secured win one of the FIU series with double-digit hits and held the Panthers to eight on the night.

UAB (4) FIU (3)
The Blazers started with Leigha Kirby striking out the first batter. Another two outs brought UAB to the bottom of the first. A quick hit from Bella Wiggins sent her to second for the Blazers. Following Wiggins' double and a foul out from Sierra Frazier, Valbak delivered an RBI single to send Wiggins across home.

UAB held FIU to zero until a single and a sacrifice bunt threatened a run for the Panthers. A wild pitch from Kirby allowed FIU's McCann, who entered as a pinch runner, to cross home plate. The score remained at one apiece until the sixth, where FIU took control after a sac fly to allow a runner to score.

The Green and Gold gathered three hits in the bottom of the sixth, with a single from Valbak and Lilly Crowe. Kaily Collett entered as a pinch runner for Valbak, allowing the opportunity for Lindsey Smith to give the Blazers a chance to score. After one ball, Smith rips an RBI single to tie the score at two.

The Blazers had miscues, giving FIU a chance to capitalize, with an error on Alyssa Aguilar to give the Panthers the upper hand with a score of 3-2. UAB responded in the seventh, where Hannah Miles sent a triple to right field. A single from Wiggins pushed Miles across home plate to tie at three. With no runs scored, the game went into extra innings.

In the eighth inning, no runs were scored; the Blazers had a defensive showing that proved favorable. The ninth saw cracks forming after back-to-back walks from Kirby with Caitlin Russell entering the circle as relief. The fate was sealed for FIU, after a single from Lauren Brock and fielder's choice from Wiggins putting UAB in scoring position.

Valbak approached to bat and delivered an RBI single after the first pitch to give the Blazers the walk-off win 4-3 in the ninth.

IN THE BOX

Valbak delivered her second walk-off RBI of the season, with her first coming against Samford.
The Blazers finished the night with double-digit hits, their second game in a row doing so.
Caitlin Russell collected another win under her belt after entering the circle in inning nine.
The Green and Gold had their second extra-inning game of the season.
UAB finished with 38 at-bats for the night to FIU's 34.

QUOTES FROM AJ DAUGHERTY
"We didn't play our very best game, but we did fight. Very proud of our resolve to get it done tonight. It was a team effort and we need to build off of this."

"Caitlin coming in and getting us out of a big jam was huge. I am very proud of her and her continued growth in the circle."

QUOTE FROM OLIVIA VALBAK
"I was so happy that I got to contribute to a great team win tonight! Leigha and Caitlin fought heard in the circle tonight, and I was so excited we could come through with the W in the end!"

UP NEXT
UAB returns to action on Saturday, March 25 at 1 PM, where the Blazers enter game two of the FIU series.

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