BIRMINGHAM – The UAB baseball team was unable to keep pace with Toledo, falling 13-4 in the series opener on Friday. The Blazers got on the board in the bottom of the first to take an early lead and answered Toledo’s three runs in the second with three more of their own to take back the lead, but didn’t score beyond that as the Rockets came out on top.
Senior catcher J Paul Fullerton had the best day at the plate for UAB, going 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles. Junior right-hander Riley Davis took his first loss of the season in 5.2 innings of work with three strikeouts as five other Blazers spent time on the bump.
“We just couldn’t get them out. We gave up 17 hits,” said coach Brian Shoop. “Good by them, we just couldn’t get them out tonight. If you give up 13 runs and 17 hits, you’re probably going to get beat. We’re happy to be back in spacious ol’ Regions Field tomorrow.”
UAB (6-7) jumped in front first, taking an early, 1-0 lead. Redshirt sophomore outfielder Jess Davis knocked a single through the left side to lead off the bottom half of the first, making his way to third before junior outfielder Caleb Floyd also singled to drive him home.
Toledo (2-10) took its first lead of the game in the top of the second, scoring a pair on a single aided by an error and a third run on a following single.
The Blazers took back the lead in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three more. The first three batters loaded up the bases before freshman infielder Chandler Simpson singled to drive home sophomore infielder Pate Fullerton. Trailing by just one, senior outfielder Colton Schultz sliced a grounder to send in Simpson and redshirt senior outfielder Zack Davis to push the Blazers in front, 4-3.
In their next chance at the dish, the Rockets slid back in front with a pair of scores. Toledo maintained the lead throughout beyond that point, hitting a grand slam in the following inning and adding four more in the top of the ninth for the 13-4 win.
UAB will have a chance to even the series with game two on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Regions Field. Live stat and streaming information for the game is available on the UAB baseball schedule page.
Fans may secure baseball season tickets by purchasing the 2020 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all baseball, softball and women’s basketball events for the remainder of the academic year. Mini plans and single game tickets are also available here. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow @UAB_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram.
-Go Blazers-
