Blazers Sweep Memphis in Shutout Victory

Sunday, April 14

Birmingham, AL

12 p.m.

UAB

20-22, 11-7

Memphis

4-33, 1-17

Memphis

UAB

Blazers Sweep Memphis in Shutout Victory

4/14/2024 4:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM – UAB Softball collected its second consecutive sweep with a 1-0 shutout win over Memphis. The Blazer defense held eight runners on base and struck out five, courtesy of pitcher Leigha Kirby.

The Blazers improve to 11-7 on the season in AAC play and 20-22 overall.

IN THE INNINGS
The Blazers started the game forcing an early out in the top of the inning, Kirby would walk one batter but the defense kept her stranded with back-to-back groundouts. The Green and Gold went on to go three up and three down to keep the score at zero.

Memphis responded with a single following a hit by a pitch in the second to put two runners on base. A sac bunt advanced the runners, giving the Tigers a chance to score but it would be a fielder's choice that drew the final out in the second. The Blazers found an opportunity with a single from Hannah Miles and a fielder's choice from Auburn Dupree, but the Tigers kept the Blazers at bay.

The score remained at zero up until the fourth inning, where UAB had two early walks to put Olivia Valbak and Ant Henderson on base. Alyssa Aguilar followed after a Blazer substitution, delivering a single to load the bases. Ja'Nae Wray followed, striking out swinging before Bella Wiggins entered, drawing the sole run of the game off a walk.

The Green and Gold maintained the 1-0 lead throughout the game. But Memphis would continue to draw hits, unable to follow through with any runs. The sixth inning came, with Memphis singling and reaching on a fielder's choice before Lindsey Smith halted the run and closed out the inning with a double play to Aguilar.

With an inning left, the Blazers had one more chance to score. Carlie Wilkins entered the game as a pinch hitter, singling up the right before Lilly Crowe singled right after. With two runners on base, UAB continued to push forward, advancing on a wild pitch before getting caught stealing at home. The Blazers lined out, drawing out three.

Memphis entered the seventh with a leadoff single before adding a sac bunt to the mix. However, they would not capitalize and the Blazers collected the win and shutout sweep.

IN THE BOX

The Blazers tallied four hits on one run. The sole run batted in came from Bella Wiggins.
Leigha Kirby tallied five strikeouts and improved to a record of 7-9.
The record between UAB and Memphis sits at 21-8. The Blazers have gone 10-0 in the last ten meetings versus the Tigers.

UP NEXT
UAB hosts Auburn for a makeup game on Wednesday, April 17 at 5 PM before traveling to Kansas for an AAC matchup versus Wichita State.

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