USA Softball Downs UAB 2-1 In 11 Innings
The #19 ranked South Alabama Jaguar softball team needed 11 innings to eventually defeat UAB 2-1 in Birmingham yesterday.
UAB took the lead 1-0 in the fourth inning but freshman right fielder Amanda Minahan came through in the clutch by delivering a two-out game-tying RBI in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the game into extra innings.
The Jaguars junior catcher Alex Breeden would later hit a routine grounder to shortstop, but the throw would sail wide of first base and allowing Kaitlyn Griffith to score the go-ahead, and eventual game-winning, run in the top of the 11th inning.
Senior Hannah Campbell got a no decision as she pitched 7 1/3 innings with five strikeouts, one earned run and no walks. Farish Beard earned the win by pitching 3 2/3 innings of relief with seven strikeouts. She retired the last three batters in order.
UAB’s Lannah Campbell, Hannah’s sister, suffered the loss for the Blazers and falls to 0-3 on the season. She struck out two and allowed the game-winning run, though it was unearned. Leigh Streetman was the starter for the Blazers and pitched 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and no walks.
Though the Blazers outhit the Jags 9-8, but they committed two errors to the Jaguars one.
This was the longest game for the Jags since an 11 inning game against Troy in 2010 at Jaguar Field. The team is now 16-1 in their last 17 road games dating back to the 2013 season and have now won the last six meetings against the Blazers to improve their record against them to 9-2 all-time.
“This was the matchup people were looking for in opening night – a pitcher’s night,” Jaguar head coach Becky Clark said. “All four pitchers were sharp. There wasn’t a lot of offense, because there was good pitching and good defense. It was a great game.”
“I was proud of our freshmen tonight,” Clark continued. “They stepped up. Taylor Rodgers had some great at-bats. Minahan, Chloe [Rathburn] and those guys stepped up. They’ve been working really hard, and I’m proud of them.”
The 7-1 Jaguars will travel to Orlando this weekend for the Diamond 9 Classic at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports.