The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Kennesaw State
Blazers Fall to Kennesaw State on Friday Despite Rally
3/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB baseball team struggled defensively Friday afternoon and fell victim to big ninth inning in a 10-6 loss to Kennesaw State at Regions Field.
"I thought it was a poorly played game," head coach Brian Shoop said. "We have to be able to give a consistent effort, and I have to prepare our team to be able to do that. The pitching was all right until our five-run inning, and our bats were bad until our big inning. Historically, our hallmark is playing cleanly and not beating ourselves. We beat ourselves tonight."
Kennesaw State (6-3) scored two runs in the second inning and four in the sixth on just three hits. None of the Owls' runs were earned, as the Blazers committed five errors in the frame.
UAB (4-6) rallied, though, as Evan Peterson, Esteban Tresgallo and Griffin Gum walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases for Carter Pharis. The freshman first baseman scorched a single up the middle to score a pair to cut Kennesaw State's lead to 6-2.
Zakez Jones drew a walk to load the bases once again later in the frame. Pinch hitter Kyle Davis dug in and ripped a double into the gap in right field. All three runners scored thanks to a throwing error to put a bow on the five-run outburst.
The Blazers drew two more walks, and a Blake Johnson groundout put a pair of runners in scoring position with one out in the eighth inning. Brewer Hicklen was subsequently walked to load the bases to bring up Peterson.
Peterson drew his fourth walk of the game to bring in the tying run, sending the game to the ninth at a 6-6 deadlock. Peterson finished the contest with a hit and four walks, reaching base all five times he stepped to the dish.
Ryan Ruggles got the start on the mound for UAB and was solid through his five innings of work. He allowed just two hits and two walks, and struck out five despite surrendering five unearned runs.
A nice play by the Owls prevented the Blazers from scoring in the third inning. Tresgallo hit a ground ball deep in the hole at shortstop with runners on first and second. Hicklen, who was at second, never hesitated rounding third base and heading home; but a strong throw from Trevor Brown gunned Hicklen down at the plate.
Freshman Garrett Whitlock (1-2) received the loss in relief, while Kennesaw State reliever Richard Lovelady (2-0) earned the win.
"We have to play cleanly, and our bats have to wake up to bounce back after tonight," Shoop said following the game.
The two teams return to Regions Field on Saturday and Sunday. Both matchups are slated for a 1 p.m. start.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball). 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).
