The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Kennesaw State
Peterson Delivers Walk-off Win Over Kennesaw State
3/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB baseball team scored a walk-off victory, 2-1, over Kennesaw State on Sunday at Regions Field. Senior Evan Peterson's RBI single in the bottom of the 11th sealed the series win over the Owls.
"Our focus and energy were good today," head coach Brian Shoop said. "We struggled to get any offense going, so we put tremendous pressure on our pitching staff. Kennesaw State had a lot of opportunities, but we made great pitches at key moments to keep them from capitalizing. Time after time today, our pitchers gave our batters opportunities. It's fun to see your guys get a walk-off win and run out onto the field to celebrate."
Despite being out-hit 11-3 by the Kennesaw State offense, the Blazers' pitching staff limited the Owls to just one run in the extra-inning affair. Adam Lamar and Austin Thomas combined to throw 7.1 innings and struck out four. Left-hander Dylan Munger (1-0) picked up the win in relief to earn his first victory of the season.
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when the Blazers struck for one run. Freshman Luke Eigsti reached base on an error and scored on a Mitch Williams single to left.
The Owls evened the score in the eighth following three consecutive singles with the third coming from Brennan Morgan to plate Austin Upshaw from second.
The 1-1 tie carried over into extras, taking the teams to the 11th inning. Red-shirt freshman Brewer Hicklen set up Peterson's heroics with a leadoff walk. The center fielder advanced to second on a wild pitch to move into scoring position, and Peterson roped the game-winning hit to left in the following at-bat.
Peterson's hit was just the third UAB hit of the game. Seniors Esteban Tresgallo and Williams accounted for the other two.
The Blazers travel to Omaha, Nebraska, for a three-game series next weekend. UAB takes on Creighton on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at TD Ameritrade Park -- home of the Men's College World Series.
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).
