The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Oklahoma
UAB Softball Splits with No. 8 Oklahoma
2/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
"The second game was a huge landmark victory for the team, not only is it the first top 25 team that we have beaten, but it's the first national championship team that we have beaten," said UAB head coach Marla Townsend.
Sooners swung the bats early and left a damaging impact during the first inning of play recording five runs and five hits against UAB pitcher Tara Higashino.
In the sixth inning the Sooners added two more runs to the scoreboard after Tiffany Weight walked and eventually scored on Kelli Braitsch's single. Oklahoma then scored another run when Dana Askins doubled to left field, giving the Sooners the 7-0 lead.
The Blazers (2-3, 0-0 C-USA) couldn't seem to get the bats going as Sara Christophel and Kris Lara notched the only two UAB hits during the first game.
During game two, UAB came out fired up and ready to play. In the first inning, Candice Hithe singled and advanced to second when Sara Christophel was hit by a pitch. Cliffanie Engram then reached on a fielder's choice and Beth Mullins singled to center field. Kelli Thompson added a single through the left side and Amanda Ellis reached on an error. In the first inning, the Blazers recorded four runs and three hits.
Oklahoma battled back in the third inning when April Valdez reached on an error and Kristin Vesely tripled to bring in a run. Vesley then scored on a fielder's choice by Braitsch making the score 4-2.
The Sooners added another run in the sixth inning when Leah Gulla doubled to centerfield and eventually scored off a single by Jennifer Stump bringing the score to 4-3.
In the seventh inning, Valdez reached on an error and moved to second on a fielder's choice. Braitsch then stepped up to the plate and hit what almost turned out to be a game-winning, two- run homerun, bringing the score to 5-4.
The Blazers took advantage of their last chance to get back into the game when Sara Christophel doubled to right centerfield and Engram was hit by a pitch and advanced Mullins reached on a fielder's choice. Thompson reached on an error. Kris Lara then singled, driving Engram home, tying the game at 4-4. During that same play, Mullins attempted to score and was originally called out by the home plate umpire. Seconds after, he retracted his call and Mullins was safe due to interference on the pitcher, giving the Blazers the 6-5 victory.
"It took a lot for the team to come back in the seventh inning after giving up two runs including the go ahead run, but we stuck with it and proved to ourselves that without a doubt, we can compete with nationally ranked-teams," said Townsend.
The Blazers will be back in action tomorrow against the Creighton Bluejays in a doubleheader at the OU/NIIKE Classic starting at 10:00 a.m.
