The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Memphis
Blazers Lose Game Two At Memphis, 5-2
3/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 22, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The UAB Blazers left a total of 14 baserunners on base against Memphis Saturday afternoon as the Blazers fell to the Tigers, 5-2, at Nat Buring Stadium. UAB first baseman Ryan Keedy extended his hit streak to 12 games with his one hit on Saturday.
UAB is now 6-12 (0-2 C-USA) with the loss, while Memphis improves to 10-10 (2-0 C-USA).
Will Hudgens (1-2), a quarterback on the Memphis football team, earned the win on the mound against the Blazers. Hudgins threw five innings in his second start of the season, giving up just one run on five hits.
Memphis closer Matt Yokley got his third save of the season after closing out the final 1.2 innings.
Brandon Wallace (1-1) was awarded the loss having given up five runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings.
Right fielder Brint Hardy led the Blazers offensively by going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. Keedy was 1-for-4 with an RBI in the game, while shortstop Jonathan Merritt was 1-for-3 with a run scored.
The Tigers had four players finish with two hits in the game as designated hitter Cole Shelton led way with his 2-for-4 effort with two RBI.
Memphis went ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the third when first baseman Trey Wiedman singled home left fielder Tyler Huelsing and then Shelton singled home third baseman Brett Bowen before being gunned out by left fielder Phil Bell at second base on the play.
Bell's play wasn't the only defensive play by UAB that limited Memphis' output in the inning as first baseman Ryan Keedy threw out Bowen at home plate to record the second out of the inning.
After the Blazers stranded the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, the Tigers came around in the bottom of the inning and opened up a 5-0 lead. The first three Memphis batters singled in the frame to set up the scoring.
UAB got on the board in the sixth when center fielder Cody McMurry hit a fielder's choice ground ball to third base that scored Keedy to end Hudgens' day on the mound.
The Blazers then cut the deficit to 5-2 in the sixth when Merritt drew a leadoff walk and then scored on a single to center field by Keedy.
In the top of the eighth, the Blazers loaded the bases with just one out for the second time in the game, but the Tigers turned to their closer Yokley who closed out the side without letting the Blazers cut into their lead.
The third and final game of the series will get underway at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at Nat Buring Stadium.
