The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Samford
Softball Defeated By Squeeze Play In 10th Inning
4/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 29, 2003
Birmingham, Ala.---The UAB softball team was defeated by Samford, 1-0, on a 10th inning, one out squeeze bunt by Samford's Erin Lansburg that gave the Bulldogs the narrow victory here Tuesday.
"We had several opportunities to win the game and we didn't come through," said UAB head coach Marla Townsend.
"This could be the eye opener that we need before we head into the final Conference USA series this weekend and I believe we can turn this loss into something good."
Tuesday's game marks the second time this season that UAB's Thompson and Samford's Landsburg went head-to-head. On March 18, the two fought it out at the Magic City Classic in which Thompson came away with the 1-0 win.
The Blazers (27-24) and Bulldogs (27-17)remained scoreless through the first six innings of play. In the top of the sixth UAB broke up a no-hitter being thrown by Landsburg when Kelli Thompson singled to short left field.
UAB rallied in the top of the seventh when Amanda Ellis singled to left field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Byrne. Kristin Stanfill then reached on a single down the left field line to put runners at first and third base. Chelsea McCall followed with a squeeze bunt that was hit to Landsburg, she fielded the ball and threw it home to catch Ellis in a run down. After the out was made at home plate, Stanfill was caught in between second and third base and the Bulldogs turned a double play to get out of the inning.
The Bulldogs looked to score in the bottom of the seventh with two outs when Erin Hall reached on a fielder's choice and Angela Bednark doubled to left field to put runners at second and third base. UAB pitcher Kelli Thompson struck out Abigail Casillo for the final out of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.
In the 10th inning the international tie-breaker rule was put into effect and Samford placed Abi Casillo on second base. Trisha Holman followed with a sacrifice bunt to advance Casillo to third base. Landsburg then laid down the game-winning bunt to bring Casillo across the plate as UAB's Amanda Byrne fielded the ball and instinctively threw it to first base.
Thompson took the loss for the Blazers bringing her season record to 12-8. The senior right-hander pitched 9.2 innings and gave up only four hits and struck out five batters.
UAB finishes regular season play this weekend as it plays host to the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. and wrapping-up the three-game series on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.
