The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
#16/#13 Missouri
UAB Softball Splits Saturday Doubleheader
2/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Stetson Box | Missour Box
ORLANDO, Fla. - After topping Stetson 3-2, the UAB softball team dropped a slugfest with No.16/13 Missouri 12-5 to split Saturday's doubleheader at the ESPN Wide World of Sports as part of the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic.
Led by a complete game from junior pitcher Cara Goodwin, UAB (3-7) topped Stetson 3-2 before UAB took on its fifth ranked opponent of the 2016 season -- No. 16/13 Missouri.
The Tigers (3-0) and the Blazers put on a hitting clinic, but Missouri came out on top 12-5.
Senior Caitlin Attfield finished 4-for-8 on the day, scoring three runs to break UAB's career record for runs scored. Senior Kelly Britt went 2-for-5 Saturday with a team-leading three RBIs.
Senior Ashley Johnson finished Saturday 4-for-5 with two walks, scoring two runs and driving home two RBIs.
"We played a really tough game," said head coach Marla Townsend. "You can't spot six runs to a top-20 team, but we knew balls from strikes. We left 10 people on base; but on the flip side, we got 10 on. We had some hard shots that they had to field, and they did. I am very pleased with how we fought for seven innings. We proved that, as long as there is still an out left, we are going to give everything we've got. We were relentless, and overall, it was a very good day for UAB softball."
Game One | Stetson (W, 3-2)
Behind Goodwin's complete-game performance, UAB opened Saturday's doubleheader with a 3-2 victory over Stetson.
Goodwin (1-0) dealt a complete seven innings in the circle to notch her first of the season. The junior allowed just two hits, two runs and two walks while striking out seven Hatters.
The lone Goodwin walks came to the first two Stetson (5-3) batters to step to the plate in the first inning. The Hatters scored their lone first-inning run with a sacrifice bunt from catcher Jessica Griffin.
Stetson extended its lead to 2-0 in the third inning using three straight bunts to manufacture a run.
Britt tied the game at two with a two-out, two-RBI double to center field, scoring Attfield and JoJo Fallen. Both Attfield and Fallen both reached on singles ahead of Britt.
Johnson knocked the game-winning RBI as the catcher led off the fourth inning with a solo home run to left field.
Chelsea Hostetler (1-2) was tagged with the loss for the Hatters after allowing three runs and nine hits over four innings.
Four Blazers recorded multiple hits led by Britt's 2-for-3 outing with two RBIs. Attfield scored her career 118th run to tie former Blazer Holly Krzan for the program's runs-scored record.
Game Two | No. 16/13 Missouri (L, 12-5)
Tori Perkins earned her first collegiate start against No. 16/13 Missouri; but the Tigers broke the game open in the first inning, scoring six runs off six hits against the freshman pitcher, including a three-RBI home run from Chloe Rathburn.
Junior Mary Warren knocked an infield single to lead off the second inning. Pinch runner freshman Hannah Lee scored after a one-out double from Johnson to cut the Tiger lead to 6-1.
Shortstop Attfield and junior Danii Fernandez led off the third inning with back-to-back singles. Senior Sara Beth Williamson smacked an infield single to score Attfield and slice into Missouri's lead to 6-2, but the Tigers scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to put Missouri up 8-2.
Attfield scored the 119th run of her career in the third inning to take over sole ownership of UAB's career record for runs scored, taking down Krzan's (2004-08) previous record of 118. The senior now holds four UAB career records -- batting average, on-base percentage, hits and runs scored.
Three walks by Cheyenne Baxter loaded the bases in the top of the fourth with one out for the Blazers. A single, a Missouri error and a hit by pitch scored three Blazer runs to cut the Missouri lead to 8-5.
The back-and-forth scoring continued in the bottom of the fourth as Missouri led off with two walks before scoring four runs via three hits to take the Tiger lead to a decisive 12-5.
Johnson was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with two walks scoring two runs and picking up an RBI. Attfield finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Perkins picked up the loss after allowing six runs off six hits in 0.2 innings of work. Goodwin, junior Madison Hir and sophomore Megan Smith all made relief appearances.
Smith pitched a team-best 2.2 innings, allowing just three hits and no runs.
The Blazers close the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic against No. 10/12 Georgia on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. CT.
For more information on the UAB softball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UABSoftball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
