The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Samford
UAB Splits at Magic City Classic
3/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 7, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.---UAB (11-7) split opening day action at the Magic City Classic losing to Samford, 1-0 and defeating Birmingham-Southern, 11-0 as Head Coach Marla Townsed picked up her 100th career victory.
"It's an amazing feeling to pick up 100 victories," said Townsend. "I looked at the seniors and thought to myself, they've been with me every step of the way."
Townsend's 100th victory didn't come as early as she expected it to. "I hoped to pick it up somewhere between Waco, Texas and St. George, Utah, but that didn't happen due to inclement weather," said Townsend. "It was nice to pick up the landmark victory close to home."
In UAB's first game of the day against Samford (7-5), Deanna Resmondo hit what turned out to be a game-winning homerun during fifth inning in the 1-0 victory over the Blazers here Friday.
Kerri Foster (8-3) took the loss for the Blazers. Foster didn't make the win easy for the Bulldogs as she allowed three hits and struck out nine batters.
Samford's Amber Fuller pitched a no hitter until the seventh inning when Kris Lara notched the only Blazer hit with a double to right-center field.
In UAB's second game of the day against Birmingham-Southern (10-12), Kristin Stanfill started the third inning rally for the Blazers after drawing a walk. Stanfill scored on an error on the next play when Candice Hithe bunted, reached on an error and rounded the bases, giving the Blazers the 2-0 lead. Sara Christophel singled to right field followed by a Beth Mullins double. Cliffanie Engram singled, driving in Christophel. Engram stole second base and both she and Mullins scored on a double by Amanda Ellis. Ellis was driven home on a single by Amanda Byrne giving the Blazers the 6-0 lead.
UAB added another run in the fifth inning when Engram doubled and scored on a wild pitch by Birmingham-Southern pitcher Erin Haggard, bringing the Blazer lead to 7-0.
The Blazers notched three more runs in the sixth inning after Christophel singled for her fourth hit of the game and Mullins reached on a fielder's choice. Kris Lara singled to shortstop followed by an Engram triple that drove in Christophel, Mullins and Lara. The final run of the inning came when Ellis singled to third base and drove in Engram, giving the Blazers the 11-0 lead.
Sara Christophel went 4-4 and Cliffanie Engram went 3-4 for the Blazers during the second game of the night.
The Blazers will be back in action Saturday at 1:00 p.m. to take on Samford, followed by Birmingham-Southern at 3:00 p.m.
