The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
East Carolina
Blazers Dominate Doubleheader Against Pirates
4/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 6, 2007
Box Score | Box Score (Game Two)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Pitcher Jennifer Nelson tossed her sixth shutout of the season, a 2-0 decision over the East Carolina Pirates (28-14, 6-5 C-USA), en route to breaking UAB's single-season win record with her 17th victory of the season. The Blazers (26-19, 7-6 C-USA) completed the Conference USA doubleheader sweep with a 5-2 win in game two of the day at George Ward Park.
Nelson (17-8) fanned eight batters while walking just two through seven innings of work in game one.
Kayla Harris (7-8) picked up the win in game two, going six innings and giving up no earned runs while striking out six. Brittany Hodge finished off the Pirates in the seventh with her first save of the season.
Centerfielder Lindsay Stanley extended her hitting streak to 10 games, going 2-for-4 with three RBI in game two.
Game one was a pitcher's duel through the first four innings, as Nelson and Pirate pitcher Keli Harrell (15-8) gave up a combined four hits while the pair fanned nine batters.
The Blazers scored the game's only two runs in the bottom of the fifth. First baseman Amanda Antonovich slapped a single and moved to second when Nelson singled. Rightfielder Allison Davis continued the two-out rally as she walked to load the bases. Stanley followed with a sharp grounder to the shortstop, who misplayed the ball, allowing one run to score. Shortstop Holly Krzan was hit by a pitch to force another run in and give UAB the 2-0 lead.
The Pirates got another hit off Nelson in the sixth, but she sat ECU down in order in the seventh to seal the win for the Blazers.
The win marked the third time that UAB has won the first game of a conference doubleheader at home this season.
In game two, ECU scored a pair of runs on a single in the bottom of the third to take a 2-0 lead.
UAB responded in the bottom of the fourth, putting up a three-spot to go on top by a run. Second baseman Leigh Walker got the offense rolling with a double. After Harris walked, Davis knocked a single that fell just in front of the diving shortstop, allowing Walker to dart home for the Blazers' first run. Stanley singled up the middle to drive in another run and Krzan made it three consecutive hits for UAB with an RBI-double to centerfield.
The Blazers added to their lead in the fifth thanks to a couple of walks and a basehit. Walker and Antonovich both walked to open the inning. Harris laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to put both runners in scoring position. Three batters later, Stanley singled to the edge of the leftfield grass, plating two runs for the 5-2 lead.
The doubleheader sweep marks the second in conference play this season. UAB improves to 14-6 over when playing at George Ward Park and 7-1 in conference home games.
UAB will try to complete the series sweep of the Pirates on Saturday at noon.
