Alex Bryant's squeeze bunt in the second gave the Niners a 1-0 lead. |
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UAB Again Scores Four in 5th, Wins 5-2
May. 1, 2005
Birmingham, Ala. - UAB scored four runs in the fifth inning for the second straight day to change the complexion of the game and take a 5-2 Conference USA win over Charlotte at Young Memorial Field in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday. The 49ers won the first game on Friday night, 9-7, before falling 7-2 on Saturday.
Charlotte (25-19, 8-13 C-USA) loaded the bases in the top of the second with one out, drawing a hit by pitch and two walks. No. 9 hitter Alex Bryant, who leads Conference USA in sacrifice hits this season, pushed a bunt down between the pitcher and first base to drive in the first run of the day. UAB pitcher Brandon Flaherty had no option but to concede the run, throwing to first to force out Bryant.
The 49ers added another run in the top of the fifth when Kris Rochelle singled through the left side of the infield. O'Brien Taylor, who reached on a bunt down the first base line and moved to second on a groundout, scored from second to give the Niners a 2-0 lead.
But just as they had on Saturday afternoon, UAB (28-16, 12-9 C-USA) loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth to turn the tide.
Charlotte starter Matt Landphair got a strikeout and allowed a single to center, but left with a 1-0 count against the third batter of the inning after feeling some discomfort in his foot or leg. He threw two warmup pitches under the watch of the 49er pitching staff and the team trainer, but they elected to bring on freshman reliever Keith Moreland. Landphair allowed just five hits through 4.1 innings, exiting with a man on first and a 2-0 lead.
Moreland walked the first two batters he faced to load the bases with just one away. Following a conversation at the mound, things didn't get any better, as Zac Ward doubled into left field to clear the bases for a 3-2 Blazer lead. He went to third as the relay home was errant and reached the backstop.
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The 49ers then issued an intentional walk to Nathan McCorkle in hopes of a turning a double play, and got the ground ball they wanted. But after getting the lead runner, the turn throw was wide of first and allowed the run to score. The runner, Cole Helms, advanced to second.
Down 4-2 now with two outs, the 49ers turned to closer Erik Walker, who struck out Seth Rollin swinging to end the four-run inning.
Walker finished the final 3.1 innings of the game for Charlotte, getting five of 10 outs via strikeout. He allowed one run in the bottom of the eighth on a single through the left side.
In the eighth, Mike Ambrose singled to center with one out, but was left on base after a flyout and a strikeout. In the ninth, pinch hitter Garrett Hanselman drew a one-out walk before O'Brien Taylor grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.
The 49ers stranded nine runners for the second day in a row. They had two runners aboard in the second and fourth innings, but struck out swinging for the third out on both occasions.
With the win, UAB moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Conference USA standings, while the 49ers fell 2.5 games back of both Louisville and Houston for the final spot in the league's tournament.
In the top of the seventh with the score 4-2, Adam Willard's high fly ball looked like it had a chance to get out but was held up in the wind and caught at the fence in right center.
The 49ers now return home for two consecutive Conference USA series at Tom & Lib Phillips Field. Charlotte hosts Louisville next weekend, before hosting Houston in the final homestand of the season (May 13-15).
