Saturday, April 25, 2009
Blazers bounce back to take down Knights
With lead off hitter Jonathan Merritt out with a minor concussion, UAB would have to lean on their pitching to bounce back against UCF. Not a happy thought, considering the Knights broke school records in a 29-9 Friday night romp at Jerry D. Young Memorial Stadium. The pitching was good enough, and the bats rebounded as the Blazers beat UCF 12-8 in game 2 of their 3 game series Saturday afternoon.
Merritt, who is day-to-day, missed the game after being beaned in the late innings last night, and was replaced in the lineup by occasional player Keith DePew. He came up huge for UAB, going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a walk, also scoring 2 runs.
The game looked like it might have a similar outcome after the Knights exploded for 3 runs in the top of the first inning again, but UAB's pitching responded to Coach Shoop's advice after yesterday's game. “These aren't the Yankees... they're a .288 team. They're like every other team. They can be pitched to,” said Shoop.
Blazers starter Shay Crawford held UCF scoreless from the 2nd inning until the 5th, when he was pulled. Crawford gave up 4 earned runs and walked 3 while striking out 2 in his 4 and 1/3 innings of work.
Blake Huddleston was excellent in relief for the Blazers, giving up only 1 run in 4 and 2/3 innings.
The Blazer bats were fairly dormant until the 4th, when 3 Knight errors combined with 2 Blazer singles to give UAB a 5-3 lead.
UCF answered back immediately in the 5th, giving Blazer fans a sense of deja-vu as they scored 4 runs on 3 singles and a throwing error by Blazer center fielder Jamal Austin. It was unfortunate for Austin though, as the bouncing throw from center escaped third baseman Andrew Manning when the runner knocked him down as he slid into the base.
The Blazer bats were energized, however, and scored in every inning afterwards. The 5th saw two solo home runs by Digger Towe and Andrew Manning.
In the 6th, UAB scored three runs playing small ball. Singles by Shay Crawford, Cody McMurray and Luke Stewart built the Blazer lead to 10-8.
The leaders for the Blazers at the plate were Nick Crawford, who went 4 for 6 with 2 RBI's and a Run, and Luke Stewart, who was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI's. Also for the Blazers, Andrew Manning went , 2 for 3 with 2 Runs and 2 RBI's, all alongside the substituting Keith DePew.
The win moves UAB to 6-8 in conference and a tie for 5th place in C-USA with Tulane. The Knights drop back into 9th place with the loss. The teams will decide the series Sunday at Noon.
Merritt, who is day-to-day, missed the game after being beaned in the late innings last night, and was replaced in the lineup by occasional player Keith DePew. He came up huge for UAB, going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a walk, also scoring 2 runs.
The game looked like it might have a similar outcome after the Knights exploded for 3 runs in the top of the first inning again, but UAB's pitching responded to Coach Shoop's advice after yesterday's game. “These aren't the Yankees... they're a .288 team. They're like every other team. They can be pitched to,” said Shoop.
Blazers starter Shay Crawford held UCF scoreless from the 2nd inning until the 5th, when he was pulled. Crawford gave up 4 earned runs and walked 3 while striking out 2 in his 4 and 1/3 innings of work.
Blake Huddleston was excellent in relief for the Blazers, giving up only 1 run in 4 and 2/3 innings.
The Blazer bats were fairly dormant until the 4th, when 3 Knight errors combined with 2 Blazer singles to give UAB a 5-3 lead.
UCF answered back immediately in the 5th, giving Blazer fans a sense of deja-vu as they scored 4 runs on 3 singles and a throwing error by Blazer center fielder Jamal Austin. It was unfortunate for Austin though, as the bouncing throw from center escaped third baseman Andrew Manning when the runner knocked him down as he slid into the base.
The Blazer bats were energized, however, and scored in every inning afterwards. The 5th saw two solo home runs by Digger Towe and Andrew Manning.
In the 6th, UAB scored three runs playing small ball. Singles by Shay Crawford, Cody McMurray and Luke Stewart built the Blazer lead to 10-8.
The leaders for the Blazers at the plate were Nick Crawford, who went 4 for 6 with 2 RBI's and a Run, and Luke Stewart, who was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI's. Also for the Blazers, Andrew Manning went , 2 for 3 with 2 Runs and 2 RBI's, all alongside the substituting Keith DePew.
The win moves UAB to 6-8 in conference and a tie for 5th place in C-USA with Tulane. The Knights drop back into 9th place with the loss. The teams will decide the series Sunday at Noon.
# posted by Chris Rodgers @ 4/25/2009 07:33:00 PM 
