The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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UTEP
UAB Completes Series Sweep With 8-0 Win Over UTEP
4/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 3, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Centerfielder Caley Walden smacked a three-run double in the bottom of the fifth to seal the UAB softball team's 8-0 run-rule victory over the UTEP Miners on Sunday afternoon at UAB Softball Field. In addition to the three RBI, Walden finished the day 3-for-3 with three runs.
The Blazers (27-9, 11-1 C-USA) have claimed all four C-USA series so far this season, including three sweeps. The Miners fall to 16-22 and 1-8 in C-USA.
"We were really clicking at the plate today," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "We scattered some hits early on before we were able to string a few together in that final inning, and obviously Caley came through with a big hit. We had contributions from a lot of different players and I was proud of the way they showed patience at the plate."
UAB starter Lauren Webster (10-2) picked up the win after tossing four innings of six-hit shutout ball. Lannah Campbell also earned her first save, giving up one hit in one inning of work. UTEP's Megan Atchison (3-6) suffered the loss, allowing one run in just one-third of an inning, while Laura Ramos tossed 3.2 inning and allowed six runs on 10 hits.
UAB jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first, taking advantage of a pair of walks and two hit batters. Walden was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and UTEP starter Megan Atchison issued back-to-back walks to load the bases. Atchison then hit catcher Mandy Lowman to plate the game's first run.
The Blazers tacked on another run in the third thanks to designated player Kristen McGrath's RBI single. Third baseman Kate Armstrong singled to lead off the inning and pinch runner Kristi Morton worked her way to third on a sacrifice and wild pitch. McGrath lined a pitch that bounced off Ramos in the circle, enabling Morton to charge home and make it 2-0.
Campbell came on in relief of Webster in the fifth and worked her way out of a jam to preserve the shutout. UTEP leftfielder Courtney Ware reached on an error to open the inning and second baseman Kayla Oranger followed with a single. After a sacrifice moved both runners up, Campbell intentionaly walked designated player Chelsea Troupe to load the bases. Campbell induced back-to-back groundouts to end the threat.
McGrath struck again in the fifth, driving home Armstrong on a double to the leftfield corner and kicking off the Blazers' six-run inning. Webster followed with a blooper to shallow right-center that scored Lowman before pinch hitter Megan McGrath took a bases-loaded walk to make it 5-0. With the bases still juiced, Walden roped the walkoff double to center field, clearing the bases for the 8-0 victory.
UAB continues the homestand on Thursday, hosting Chattanooga for a doubleheader. The first game will begin at 4 p.m. CT, with the second immediately following.
