March 16, 2007
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - The University of Alabama at Birmingham scored all their runs in the final three innings to overcome a 2-0 deficit and defeat Kennesaw State, 10-3, in the first game of a three-game series at Stillwell Stadium on Friday night.
Sophomore Jacob Robbins singled on a bunt past the pitcher in the bottom of the third inning extending his hit streak to 34 games. Robbins is just seven away from Jason Jones' record of 41 games.
The Owls (12-8) dominated the game over the first six innings behind the pitching of Chad Jenkins. The Owls freshman pitched six shutouts frames before giving way to the Owls bullpen, which failed to keep the lead.
In three innings of work, the KSU bullpen allowed 10 runs, nine hits and three walks. The Owls defense didn't help much as they committed three errors over the final three innings which lead to five unearned runs.
Jenkins and the Blazers Mitch Kloskowski (3-1) exchanged scoreless innings until the Owls rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jenkins allowed just five hits and struck out eight batters over six innings.
Kennesaw State centerfielder Martin Baker led off with a bunt single past the mound. Jay Morrow followed with a walk and then, Jace Whitmer's bunt attempt was fielded by Kloskowski. However, his throw to third base was too late to get Baker and the Owls had the bases loaded with nobody out.
The Owls broke the scoreless tie when Matt Dallas singled up the middle bringing in Baker and Morrow to give Kennesaw State a 2-0 lead.
Blalock (0-4) entered the game in relief of Jenkins to start the top of the seventh inning and things quickly fell apart for the Owls. The right-hander got the first out of the inning and then walked Levi Patman, the first of three walks in the inning surrendered by Blalock. After a sacrifice moved Patman to second, Ryan Keedy walked and Ryne Lovedahl singled to make the score 2-1.
An error by Robbins loaded the bases and Blalock walked Danny Sawyer to tie the game at two apiece. Ben Sosebee relieved Blalock and allowed a two-run single to Brint Hardy. The Blazers would their fifth run of the inning when Robbins misplayed a grounder scoring Sawyer for a 5-2 lead for the Blazers.
UAB added four more runs in the eighth with the key hits coming on an RBI single by Lovedahl and a two-run double by Sawyer. The Blazers and the Owls would score solo runs in the ninth inning.
Kennesaw State did rally in its last at-bat, scoring a run and loading the bases on three hits and a walk before James Oliver pitched out of the jam, getting Jay Morrow to ground out to short.
The two teams will meet again at Stillwell Stadium tomorrow for game two of the three game series. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. with Micah Sales (2-2) taking the hill for KSU and Shay Crawford (1-1) going for the Blazers.
