The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Louisiana Tech
Blazers Fall in Game Two at Louisiana Tech
4/22/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Final Stats (PDF)
RUSTON, La. – The UAB baseball team fell 10-2 on Saturday afternoon despite 11 hits in the middle game at Louisiana Tech. The loss for UAB drops its record to 18-21 overall and 6-11 in Conference USA while the Bulldogs bumped their mark to 26-14 and 7-10 in conference.
The 11 hits for the Blazers was even to La Tech’s output at the plate but the Green & Gold finished just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
“I thought we did a pretty good job,” said UAB head coach Brian Shoop on having to face La Tech starter Nate Harris who entered the day second in the nation in WHIP. “Pretty good, competitive at-bats. We had chances but the five-run inning was tough to overcome when you’re facing a guy like that. One lopsided win for us, one for them. I think we got enough pitching tomorrow to have a really good chance so I’m hopeful and optimistic.”
Louisiana Tech scored runs in four straight innings from the third through the sixth frames with five runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Bulldogs loaded the bases and added runs in the next two at-bats before a triple by Raphael Gladu plated two. Gladu then advanced home after a throwing error to cap off the big inning.
The Blazers only got one run on starter Harris coming in the seventh inning. Antonio Ralat singled to lead off the frame and was followed by a walked by Riley McCown. Thomas Johns then singled to load the bases and Ralat scored on a fielder’s choice by Luke Eigsti.
Harris came out after the seventh as he improved to 5-0 this season. He allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out five.
UAB would score once more in the next inning on a sacrifice fly by Carter Pharis as Pierce Ressmeyer came home to push it to the final score of 10-2.
It was the third time this season the Blazers had back-to-back games with double-digit hits after totaling a season-high 19 hits yesterday.
Thomas Johns had a career-high three hits in four at-bats with one double.
Ressmeyer, Brewer Hicklen, and Ralat each had two hits in the game. Hicklen added one walk and a double as he reached all three times up to extend his on-base streak to 25 straight games.
Tanner Graham was charged with the loss after tossing 3.1 innings. He allowed four hits, five runs, four walks as he dropped to 1-2.
Kyle Davis was strong in relief. Davis retired seven of the nine batters he faced as he pitched the final 2.1 innings for UAB and walked none.
The finale will feature Carson Jones on the mound for UAB as he gets his first career start versus Cam Linck for La Tech. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at “The Love Shack.”
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 (@UAB_Athletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uab_athletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
