The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Three-Run Fifth Inning Gives UAB Softball a 3-1 Win Over Eastern Illinois
2/26/2021 10:12:00β―PM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM β After a three-run offensive explosion in fifth inning, the UAB softball team defeated Eastern Illinois 3-1 on Friday night in their first game of the UAB Softball Invite.
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Parker Conrad (1-0) earned her first Blazer victory in the circle, pitching three scoreless innings in relief with five strikeouts.
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After both teams traded zeros in the first three innings, the Panthers were able get on the board first, plating one run and going up 1-0 in the top of the fourth.
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Faith Hegh got the Blazers (5-5) off to a hot start in the bottom of the fifth, hitting a double into center field. Olivia Valbak followed it up with a RBI double of her own, with Hegh scoring the first UAB run of the game.
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The next batter, Brooke Burback, grounded out and Valbak advanced to third before a Jolie Readeaux single to center field put the freshman on third.
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Jenna Olszewski then layed down a bunt, but an Eastern Illinois fielding error advanced her to third, scoring Readeaux.
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Hegh ended the game with a team-high two hits and one run, while Valbak and Readeaux each had one RBI.
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Amy Woodham, who started the game for the Blazers, pitched four innings, giving up three hits and striking out four.
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"It was good to see our team fight and win a two-run game," head coach Joe Guthrie said. "We have to win most of our one run and two run games to win championships. We have to keep grinding tomorrow."
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UP NEXT
The Blazers return to Mary Bowers Field tomorrow for the second day of the UAB Softball Invite. UAB will open with a 1:30 p.m. rematch against Eastern Illinois (6-2) before taking on Nicholls State (4-4) at 6:30 p.m.
Β
Parker Conrad (1-0) earned her first Blazer victory in the circle, pitching three scoreless innings in relief with five strikeouts.
Β
After both teams traded zeros in the first three innings, the Panthers were able get on the board first, plating one run and going up 1-0 in the top of the fourth.
Β
Faith Hegh got the Blazers (5-5) off to a hot start in the bottom of the fifth, hitting a double into center field. Olivia Valbak followed it up with a RBI double of her own, with Hegh scoring the first UAB run of the game.
Β
The next batter, Brooke Burback, grounded out and Valbak advanced to third before a Jolie Readeaux single to center field put the freshman on third.
Β
Jenna Olszewski then layed down a bunt, but an Eastern Illinois fielding error advanced her to third, scoring Readeaux.
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Hegh ended the game with a team-high two hits and one run, while Valbak and Readeaux each had one RBI.
Β
Amy Woodham, who started the game for the Blazers, pitched four innings, giving up three hits and striking out four.
Β
"It was good to see our team fight and win a two-run game," head coach Joe Guthrie said. "We have to win most of our one run and two run games to win championships. We have to keep grinding tomorrow."
Β
UP NEXT
The Blazers return to Mary Bowers Field tomorrow for the second day of the UAB Softball Invite. UAB will open with a 1:30 p.m. rematch against Eastern Illinois (6-2) before taking on Nicholls State (4-4) at 6:30 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Conrad, Parker (1-0)
L: MONTGOMERY, Jade (3-2)
Batting:
2B: CIEPLINSKI, Amber 1
RBI: CIEPLINSKI, Amber 1
Base Running:
RUNS: CRAVENS, Hannah 1
CS: LEWIS, Morgan 1

Batting:
2B: Hegh, Faith 1 ; Valbak, Olivia 1
RBI: Valbak, Olivia 1 ; Readeaux, Jolie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hegh, Faith 1 ; Valbak, Olivia 1 ; Readeaux, Jolie 1
SB: Hegh, Faith 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, June 10
Tuesday, June 09
Tuesday, June 09
Monday, June 08















