University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
19-26, 5-11
@ UAB
25-20, 7-9
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 2 |
| UAB | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | X | 9 | 10 | 3 |
UAB Slips Past Memphis, 9-8
May 01, 2009 | Baseball
May 1, 2009
Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -
Memphis (19-26, 5-11 C-USA) 002 040 110 - 8 11 2 UAB (25-20, 7-9 C-USA) 001 500 03x - 9 10 3
Adam McClain went 3-for-5 and Shawn Ablett drove in three runs, but UAB erased a two-run deficit with three runs in the eighth inning to outlast Memphis, 9-8, in the series-opener at Young Memorial Field Friday evening.
After scoring single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to take an 8-6 lead, the Tigers were unable to hold off a furious rally by the speed UAB offense. The Blazers got triples from Jonathan Merritt and Brint Hardy in the three-run frame to go ahead 9-8.
In relief of reliever Blake Huddleston, Blazers closer Nick Graffeo then worked a scoreless ninth to pick up his fourth save of the season. Huddleston and Graffeo teamed up with starter Beau Pender to strikeout 11 Tigers. Pender fanned six in 4.1 innings. He surrendered six runs on six hits. Huddleston allowed two runs on four hits in 3.2 frames of relief.
Memphis jumped on the scoreboard first, after Jacob Wilson drew a walk and Robby Graham followed with a single to right. With runners on first and second, Brett Bowen banged a two-run double to the right centerfield gap.
UAB answered with a run of its own. Nine-hole hitter Andrew Manning drew a leadoff walk. Jamal Austin reached on a bunt single and Merrit loaded the bases with a single. However, Memphis starter Brennon Martin was able to work out of a bases-loaded, no-outs jam, giving up just a fielder's choice RBI by Nick Crawford.
The Blazers took advantage of a walk and two hit batsmen to ignite a five-run fourth to surge ahead 6-2. After the three free passes, UAB got consecutive extra base hits from Crawford, Hardy and Cody McMurry. Crawford brought two runs in with a double. Hardy plated Crawford with an RBI-double, and McMurry followed with an RBI-triple. Crawford drove in four runs on the night.
With one swing, Ablett knotted the game at 6-6. The junior catcher's three-run blast to right centerfield highlighted a four-run fifth inning. The homer was Ablett's fourth of the year.
Martin was not sharp, walking a season-high five batters. However, he kept Memphis in position to win the game, scattering seven hits and fanning three in five innings. Jonathan Jones came on in relief to strike out three in three innings.
The two clubs will play game two of the three-game set on Sat., May 2. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Young Memorial Field.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Blake Huddleston (3-0)
L: Jones, Jonathan (1-2)
S: Nick Graffeo (4)
Batting:
2B: Bowen, Brett 1 ; McClain, Adam 1
HR: Ablett, Shawn 1
RBI: Bowen, Brett 2 ; McClain, Adam 1 ; Ablett, Shawn 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Martinez, Drew 1 ; Bowen, Brett 1 ; McClain, Adam 1 ; Ablett, Shawn 1 ; Wilson, Jacob 2 ; Graham, Robby 2
SB: Ablett, Shawn 1
Batting:
2B: Nick Crawford 1 ; Brint Hardy 1 ; Cody McMurry 1
3B: Jonathan Merritt 1 ; Brint Hardy 1 ; Cody McMurry 1
RBI: Jonathan Merritt 1 ; Nick Crawford 4 ; Brint Hardy 1 ; Cody McMurry 2 ; Jamal Austin 1
SH: Andrew Manning 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jonathan Merritt 2 ; Nick Crawford 1 ; Brint Hardy 2 ; Luke Steward 1 ; Allen Aubin 1 ; Andrew Manning 1 ; Jamal Austin 1
HBP: Jonathan Merritt 1 ; Allen Aubin 1
