April 22, 2009
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Alabama-Birmingham scored two early runs and held on to defeat Kennesaw State, 2-1, in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday evening at Bailey Park.
The Blazers (16-29) got to Kennesaw State starter April Harper for solo runs in the first and second innings before the right-hander settled down and held UAB in check over the final five innings.
Alabama-Birmingham scored an unearned run in the first inning as Amanda Allen delivered a two-out single to right field scoring Martina Landrum, who reached on an error by KSU shortstop Jessica Symanski to lead off the game. Landrum stole second and was sacrificed to third base before Allen lined a single between first and second base for the first run of the night.
UAB scored again in the second inning when Mandy Loman walked to lead off the inning. Tiffany Smith pinch ran and Cameron Skates doubled to the gap in right center field to make the score, 2-0. Harper (9-8) allowed the leadoff batter to reach just twice in the game with both times resulting in runs for UAB.
The Owls (19-27) would answer back with a run in the bottom of the third inning when Symanski reached on an infield hit and later scored when Lyndsay McCurry singled to left field to bring the Owls within a run.
The Black and Gold would threaten twice more in the game, leaving a runner at second base with two outs in both the fifth and seventh innings. In the game, KSU left just three runners on base.
Harper pitched a solid game for the Black and Gold as she went the distance, allowing just one earned run on five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. Amber Torres (7-5) earned the win with a complete-game, four-hitter.
