Baseball experiences growing pains vs. UAB

Box Score NORMAL – With a first coach year head coach and 23 out of 31 players in their first or second year of competition on "The Hill" the Alabama A&M (2-3) baseball team fell 10-3 Tuesday afternoon to the UAB Blazers.

"We didn't hit well today, we struggled at the plate compared to what we did against IPFW," said head coach Mitch Hill. "We did get some hits but we couldn't convert enough of those into runs."

"We made some mistakes that cost us some runs and gave up to many free 90's," Hill continued. "We are a young team and we are getting better."

First baseman Austin Hulsey led the Bulldogs with two hits and an RBI, while Justen Folger batted in a run for the game.

Bulldogs starter Dakota Smith went three innings, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out two. Alabama-Birmingham's Sam Kelley (1-0) earned the win for UAB, allowing no runs on just three hits while striking out four in five innings of work.

The UAB baseball team broke through in the top of the fifth inning, scoring three runs. With the bases loaded, the Blazers hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring in a run. Another run scored on a single through the infield.

The Blazers extended their lead in the sixth inning, when A&M's pitcher Payden Khun overthrew his third baseman, allowing a run to score.

In the bottom half of the sixth inning, A&M's Patrick Dodson was hit by a pitch advancing to first. Next to bat for the Bulldogs was Andrew Utterback, who then singled to right field advancing Dobson to third. Justen Folger grounded out to the short stop to plate Dodson, scoring the Bulldogs first run of the game. A&M's second score came when Utterback advanced to home off a Blazer wild pitch.

The Maroon & White would get one more run when Hulsey singled to bring in Julio Nunez.

Hulsey led the team with two hits, an RBI and a season high 11 putouts. Caleb Waddell collected 10 putouts at the catcher position.

Allen Belue was credited with the loss, as he pitched two innings, facing 10 batters allowing three runs on two hits, striking out one.

The teams will continue the two-game series on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Regions Field. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. in Birmingham.

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