Blazers Hold the Lead to Secure 6-4 Win over TSU

Wednesday, March 29

Mary Bowers Field

4:30 PM

UAB

17-16

Tennessee State University

14-15-1

Tennessee St.

UAB

Blazers Hold the Lead to Secure 6-4 Win over TSU

3/29/2023 8:56:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM – UAB Softball concluded their mid-week meeting revisiting Tennessee State, this time at Mary Bowers Field. The Blazers had a nailbiter in their 6-4 victory over the Tigers, where the Blazers tallied seven hits with no errors.

"Good midweek win. Great outing from Valbak with ten strikeouts and only one hit allowed. Our offense came out swinging in the first two innings," said head coach AJ Daugherty. "The early six-run lead allowed us to use 15 different players and that's always good."

The Green and Gold improve to 17-16 overall and 13-9 at home as they progress to their weekend series on the road in Denton.

UAB (6) TSU (4)
The Blazers started early with an impressive defensive run, outing the first three batters. They displayed offensive prowess with three quick runs after a bunt single from Bella Wiggins put the first Blazer on base for the game. The scores came from a fielding error on the Tigers' left field to let Wiggins score, and Lauren Brock reached third base.

After a walk and stolen base for Olivia Valbak, Sierra Frazier plated two runners after a single to left field to put the Green and Gold up 3-0. The Green and Gold tallied a single from Makenzie Droddy to advance Frazier to second. Valbak added three strikeouts in the top of the second inning to bring the Green and Gold to the bottom of the second. After a walk and stolen base from Hannah Miles, Wiggins struck out to bring Brock to the plate. She reached on an error from TSU's left fielder to put another Blazer on base.

After a sacrifice bunt from Olivia Valbak put the Blazers in scoring position, Frazier delivered another 2 RBI single to put the Green and Gold up by six. In the fourth, UAB made some defensive adjustments, giving Chloe Bahruth, Kaily Collett, and Carlie Wilkins opportunities for reps for the Green and Gold. Valbak continued her run in the circle, keeping the TSU batters hitless throughout the next four innings.

Entering the sixth, the Tigers broke their hitting drought with a double to right field to put a Tiger on base. Following a batter being hit by a pitch, Valbak retired to let Bailey Tindell in the circle to pitch for UAB. The Blazers gave up two more runs in the sixth and another two in the top of the seventh, closing the scoring gap to two runs. The Blazers stopped the scoring run and held onto the lead to secure their twelfth win of the season at home.

IN THE BOX

The Blazers tallied seven hits but gave up five hits in the final two innings
Olivia Valbak tallied nine of ten strikeouts swinging
The Green and Gold stepped to the plate 26 times
Makenzie Droddy, Sierra Frazier, and Bella Wiggins finished with two hits apiece

UP NEXT
The Blazers conclude their week in Denton, to take on the UNT Mean Green from March 31 to April 2. UAB and UNT are set to play their first game of the series Friday at 6 PM.

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