UAB Softball Clinches Series With 6-3 Win Over UNT

Saturday, April 1

Denton, TX

2 PM

UAB

18-17, 0

University of North Texas

20-15, 0

UAB

North Texas

UAB Softball Clinches Series With 6-3 Win Over UNT

4/1/2023 8:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score (PDF)

DENTON – UAB Softball concluded the final day of the UNT Series with a split result, losing game one of the doubleheader 4-0 and winning game two 6-3. The Blazers' record now sits at 19-17 overall and 7-5 in conference play.

"Another big series win for our team. When we play UAB Softball, we always have a chance to win," said head coach AJ Daugherty. "When you're able to go on the road and take a series against a solid team, it's big. We need to go back to work and continue to improve as we head into the home stretch."

GAME ONE: UAB (0) UNT (4)
The game started similar to Friday's meeting, with a single from Lauren Brock to begin the game. The Blazers were unable to capitalize, leaving Brock stranded. UAB then went into the bottom of the first, halting the advance from the Mean Green with a 2-6 putout to halt Cobb from stealing second.

UNT had two quick strikeouts and a groundout, holding the Blazers to no runs. The Mean Green then tallied two hits and two fielder's choices which proved to put the first two runs on the board for UNT. The Blazers looked to respond but were unsuccessful in the third, and the Mean Green added run number three after a double down the left field line to allow a runner across home plate.

The Blazers saw life after a double from Sierra Frazier and an opportunity to advance on a wild pitch, but the Green and Gold were unsuccessful. UAB tried once again in the top of the sixth after a walk for Frazier and a single up the middle from Makenzie Droddy to put two Blazers on base, but a groundout ended the opportunity.

The final run for UNT came after back-to-back fielder's choices and a single to let a Mean Green runner across home. North Texas shut out the Blazers to split the series at one apiece going into the final game.

GAME TWO: UAB (6) UNT (3)
The Green and Gold were first to strike, with a homer from Bella Wiggins to kickstart the game. The Blazers had an early lead to start the game in the first inning, which proved to be a catalyst for scoring as Hannah Miles followed in the second inning with a double to send Alyssa Aguilar and herself across home plate. North Texas responded with a run of their own on a fielder's choice to send UNT's Simon in for a score.

After a quick three-up-three-down in the bottom of the third, UAB landed two runners on base with a walk for Droddy and Lindsey Smith. Makenna Cortez entered as a pinch runner for Droddy, and Alyssa Aguilar reached first, pushing Lindsey Smith and Cortez deeper into scoring position. Hannah Miles provided the RBI to allow Cortez to cross home to put UAB up 4-1.

UNT tallied back-to-back runs in the bottom of the fifth after a double to left center and a throwing error granted the first run followed by a single to allow another UNT runner across home to put the game at 4-3. The Blazers entered inning six putting up three hits with a single from Miles, an RBI double from Lauren Brock, and an RBI single from Olivia Valbak to give UAB a sizable lead once again. The Blazers continued the efforts on defense, outing three batters immediately to bring the game to the seventh.

The Green and Gold would not score again, being held at six and having one more defensive run to secure the series win. The Blazers gained the first two outs at the bottom of the seventh, but a late error allowed a runner to reach first. The final out came from a groundout into the glove of Lindsey Smith to give UAB the 6-3 win and clinch the series.

IN THE BOX

Lauren Brock was the sole multi-hit player in game one.
UAB and UNT both tallied 26 at-bats in the first game of the doubleheader.
Sarah Cespedes secured her fourth save of the season with three strikeouts.
Caitlin Russell remains undefeated in the circle.

UP NEXT
The Blazers return to Mary Bowers Field on Thursday, April 6, taking on the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters for an Easter Weekend Series. The first game is to begin at 5 PM.

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2022-23 GOLD CARD
Softball season tickets are available by purchasing the 2022-23 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card will allow you access to all home events for Women's Basketball, 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.