Saturday, April 04, 2009
Hitters arrive, UAB swept by ECU
The ECU hitters immediately served notice that today's doubleheader would be different than yesterday's game. They scored 7 runs in the top of the first inning, and never looked back. UAB continued to grind out runs, trailing 10-8 going into the ninth, but 3 walks and 4 singles, including one on a bunt, allowed ECU to solidify their hold on the game by putting 5 runs on the board and win th game 15-9.
Game 2 was much tighter. Even after the ECU pulled out to a 6-0 lead through 2 innings, the Blazers refused to go quietly, hitting a grand slam to make things interesting. Afterwards the teams continued to stay nearly even, but near the end of the game, UAB couldn't get anything going against the ECU bullpen. The Pirates went on to win 10-9 sweeping the doubleheader and the weekend series.
Inclement weather prompted officials to change the usual schedule, leading to the Saturday doubleheader. With the wins, ECU retained the lead in Conference USA moving to 8-1, 25-5 overall. UAB fell to 1-5, 16-13 overall.
After a disappointing Friday night in which pitchers strangely dominated, the numbers 1 and 3 run-scoring teams in Conference USA showed up on Saturday.
The Pirates got things going in their first inning with 4 singles, a double, and a UAB error to score the 7 runs.
Among the leading hitters for UAB were Andrew Manning, who hit the grand slam in game two which cut into the 6-0 Pirate lead, and Cody McMurry who went 4 for 9 with 2 RBI's on the day.
The Pirates were paced by Devin Harris who went 4 for 9 with 2 runs scored and 5 RBI's on the day.
Shining in relief for UAB was Nick Graffeo who pitched 4 innings in Game 2, giving up only 2 hits and 2 earned runs. Because of the lack of offense from the Blazers, Graffeo earned his second loss of the year, falling to 1-2 on the year.
Reliever Brad Mincey was the main component of ECU's game two victory, taking over for starter Kevin Brandt. Mincey pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up only 4 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 2. He earned the win to move to 7-1 on the season.
UAB moves on to play Mississippi State at Regions Park in Hoover on Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Their next in conference opportunity is next weekend in Huntington, West Virginia against Marshall.
Game 2 was much tighter. Even after the ECU pulled out to a 6-0 lead through 2 innings, the Blazers refused to go quietly, hitting a grand slam to make things interesting. Afterwards the teams continued to stay nearly even, but near the end of the game, UAB couldn't get anything going against the ECU bullpen. The Pirates went on to win 10-9 sweeping the doubleheader and the weekend series.
Inclement weather prompted officials to change the usual schedule, leading to the Saturday doubleheader. With the wins, ECU retained the lead in Conference USA moving to 8-1, 25-5 overall. UAB fell to 1-5, 16-13 overall.
After a disappointing Friday night in which pitchers strangely dominated, the numbers 1 and 3 run-scoring teams in Conference USA showed up on Saturday.
The Pirates got things going in their first inning with 4 singles, a double, and a UAB error to score the 7 runs.
Among the leading hitters for UAB were Andrew Manning, who hit the grand slam in game two which cut into the 6-0 Pirate lead, and Cody McMurry who went 4 for 9 with 2 RBI's on the day.
The Pirates were paced by Devin Harris who went 4 for 9 with 2 runs scored and 5 RBI's on the day.
Shining in relief for UAB was Nick Graffeo who pitched 4 innings in Game 2, giving up only 2 hits and 2 earned runs. Because of the lack of offense from the Blazers, Graffeo earned his second loss of the year, falling to 1-2 on the year.
Reliever Brad Mincey was the main component of ECU's game two victory, taking over for starter Kevin Brandt. Mincey pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up only 4 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 2. He earned the win to move to 7-1 on the season.
UAB moves on to play Mississippi State at Regions Park in Hoover on Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Their next in conference opportunity is next weekend in Huntington, West Virginia against Marshall.
# posted by Chris Rodgers @ 4/04/2009 11:30:00 PM 
