Back-to-Back Homers Gives UAB First Conference Sweep

Sunday, March 26

Mary Bowers Field

12 PM

UAB

16-16, 5-4

Florida International University

15-18, 2-7

FIU

UAB

Back-to-Back Homers Gives UAB First Conference Sweep

3/26/2023 4:07:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM – UAB Softball concluded the weekend with their first series win this season over FIU Sunday afternoon. The Blazers rallied back to deliver back-to-back home runs, putting the Blazers in the lead and obtaining the sweep.

The Blazers sit at 16-16, and 5-4 in C-USA Play, placing them in the number five spot in conference standings.

"It's always a big deal to secure a sweep. Our conference has solid teams that are well-coached," said head coach AJ Daugherty. "When you're able to get three wins on a weekend it's a big accomplishment. I'm very proud of our team for stepping up on what we knew was a big weekend for us."

UAB (3) FIU (1)
The Blazers and Panthers started early with a pitching duel between freshman Caitlin Russell and Megan Kruger, who kept the score at 0-0 for three innings. The Blazers allowed two runners to reach a base in the first, but were unsuccessful in capitalizing. The Green and Gold were also coming up cold, with one hit but no runs to begin the first inning.

In the bottom of the second, the Blazers walked three times, loading the bases with two outs. Lauren Brock approached to bat in hopes of sending her teammates across the plate but struck out swinging.

In the top of the third, FIU's McCann sent a single to left field, followed by Izard reaching on an error from Brock. McCann and Izard stood at first and second base, with Navarro advancing her teammates to second and third off a sac bunt. Perez then sent a batter across home to give FIU a 1-0 lead.

After three quick innings, the Green and Gold entered the bottom of the sixth hot. Newly crowned All-Time RBI leader Sierra Frazier sent a homer to left center to tie the game up at one apiece. After a flyball out to left field from Crowe, Mackenzie Droddy sent a single down the left field line to reach first. Lindsey Smith followed with a two-run shot in the same spot Frazier sent her homer a batter prior to claim the 3-1 lead.

UAB entered the top of the seventh, entering Sarah Cespedes in the circle for Russell. She delivered a strikeout immediately, followed by a flyball out to Bella Wiggins to get the second out. The final out came from Lindsey Smith, who took a grab from third, giving the Blazers their first series win and conference sweep of the season.

IN THE BOX

The Blazers tallied six runs to the Panthers four.
Caitlin Russell remained undefeated in the circle, while Sarah Cespedes claimed her second consecutive save.
Sierra Frazier gained her second home run of the weekend and eighth of the season.
Lindsey Smith led the team in assists with four. Offensively, she finished with a hit and led the team in RBIs.

UP NEXT
The Blazers return to action on Wednesday, March 29 at 4:30 PM versus the Tennessee State University Tigers at Mary Bowers Field.

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