Spartans fall to UAB on walk-off single, 8-7

Jordan Jewett

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
UNCG (8-10)	0	0	2	3	2	0	0	7	12	0
UAB (13-6)	0	5	0	0	0	1	2	8	10	5
@ Woodstock, Ga. | Twin Creeks SB Comp.

Pitching
Win: Alisha Smith (3-1) - UAB
Loss: Cory Mattson (3-7) - UNCG

UNCG Batting
2B: Jordan Jewett
3B: none
HR: none

UAB Batting
2B: Catherine Douglass
3B: Sallie Van Kirk
HR: Donna Plath

full stats

WOODSTOCK, Ga. – UAB used a bases-loaded infield single in the bottom of the seventh inning to take an 8-7 walk-off win over UNCG in a weather-delayed game at the Buzz Classic.

The Spartans (8-10) took a 7-6 lead into the seventh, but the Blazers (13-6) pushed across a pair of runs to rally for the win. After a leadoff single, a hit batter and a walk loaded the bases, pinch-hitter Kristen McGrath drew a walk to tie the game at 7. One out later, Sallie Van Kirk singled to shortstop to knock in Lauren Webster with the winning run.

UNCG took the loss despite outhitting UAB 12-10 and rallying from a 5-0 deficit. The Blazers also committed five errors on the game, leading to five of UNCG's seven runs being unearned.

Down 5-0 after a five-second inning for the Blazers, UNCG got on the scoreboard with some timely two-out hitting in the third. Alex Emeterio and Kaitlin Merkt hit consecutive singles to left field, and Jordan Jewett followed with a two-run double to make it 5-2.

A pair of UAB errors led to three more runs for the Spartans in the fourth. Singles by Toni MacReynolds and Kristen Gabel put runners at first and second with one out and knocked starter Amber Torres from the game. An illegal pitch from reliever Alisha Smith advanced Gabel and pinch-runner Cory Mattson, and both runners came in on an error on the next batter. Another error allowed April Langley to reach and Emeterio followed with an RBI groundout to tie the game.

The Spartans took their first lead of the day the following inning, plating two more unearned runs. With the bases loaded and two out, Aisha Figueroa reached on an error, allowing MacReynolds to score from third. Langley followed with an infield single that allowed allowed Eileen Horsmon to score, making it a 7-5 contest.

The Blazers got back within a run in the bottom of the sixth, with Catherine Douglass' RBI double bringing in Caley Walden.

UAB got the scoring started by banging out five hits in the second inning, with the big blow coming in the form of Donna Plath's three-run home run.

Mattson (3-7) took the loss for the Spartans, allowing four runs in 5 innings of relief for starter Josie Felix. Felix allowed four runs in an inning and a third.

Smith improved to 3-1 for the Blazers with 3 2/3 innings of relief, allowing three runs, none of the earned. Torres was tagged for four runs (two earned) on seven hits in 3 1/3.

Jewett went 3-for-4 for the Spartans with two RBI, while MacReynolds went 3-for-4 for her second multi-hit game in as many tries. Emeterio and Gabel had two hits each.

For the Blazers, Walden and Van Kirk had two hits apiece. Plath had three RBI.

The contest finally got under way at 3 p.m. after being delayed twice by weather. Originally slated to start at 11 a.m., the game was moved to 1:30 when all of Saturday's action at the Buzz Classic was washed out. With rain still in the area Sunday morning, UNCG's scheduled 9 a.m. game against Massachusetts was canceled and the UAB contest pushed back again.

UNCG returns to action Wednesday when it hosts Charlotte for a doubleheader at the UNCG Softball Stadium. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

AGATE
UAB 8, UNCG 7 (Mar 06, 2011 at Woodstock, Ga.)
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UNCG................ 002 320 0 -  7 12  0      (8-10)
UAB................. 050 001 2 -  8 10  5      (13-6)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Josie Felix; Cory Mattson(2). UAB - Amber Torres; Alisha Smith(4).
Win-Alisha Smith(3-1)  Loss-Cory Mattson(3-7)  T-2:15  A-79
HR UAB - Donna Plath.
Weather: Overcast, Cold

- UNCG -