The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
South Florida*
UAB Softball Splits C-USA Opener
3/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 15, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.---The UAB softball team split a Conference USA doubleheader against the South Florida Bulls, losing the first game, 2-1 and winning the second, 3-1 here Saturday.
"Coming out with a split on the first day of conference play is pretty good, especially against a good team like South Florida, but tomorrow we need to come out strong and pick up a win," said UAB head coach Marla Townsend.
UAB (15-11, 1-1 C-USA) put the first run on the scoreboard in game one against South Florida (30-8, 4-1 C-USA) in the third inning when Candice Hithe singled and scored on a Cliffanie Engram double, giving the Blazers the 1-0 lead.
The Bulls rallied in the fifth inning when Christie Chapman walked and Renee Oursler reached on an error. Krista Holle singled and drove both Chapman and Oursler across the plate, giving South Florida the 2-1 lead.
The Blazers were shut down the remainder of the game by the Bulls, as South Florida allowed no hits and only two walks in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
Kerri Foster took the loss for the Blazers after pitching a complete game, giving up three this, two runs (one earned) and striking out four.
In the second game of the day, UAB rallied early in the first inning when Hithe was hit by a pitch and stole second base. Sarah Christophel walked and both Hithe and Christophel scored on a Beth Mullins single, giving the Blazers the early 2-0 lead.
UAB added to its lead in the second inning when third baseman Alexis Kreske smashed her second home run of the season over the left field wall, adding to the 3-0 Blazer lead.
For the second time in the game, South Florida loaded the bases in the third inning when Courtney Lewellen was hit by a pitch and Holly Groves singled. Chapman followed with a walk to load the bases. UAB managed to get out of trouble when Oursler flied out to right field for the final out of the inning.
South Florida scored a run in the fifth inning when Stephanie Roberts reached base after she was hit by a pitch. Roberts tagged-up when Groves hit a fly ball to left field, putting the first run on the scoreboard for the Bulls.
UAB held off South Florida for the next two innings, securing the 3-1 victory over the Bulls, its first C-USA victory of the season.
UAB's Kelli Thompson (5-3) pick up her fifth win of the season, pitching all seven innings, giving up one run and striking out eight batters.
The Blazers will be back in action on Sunday, March 16 at George Ward Park to conclude their three game series against the Bulls starting at 1 p.m.
