BIRMINGHAM – The UAB baseball team picked up another near wire-to-wire victory as it downed Troy, 5-2, on Tuesday night. The Blazers slid in front early and held the lead until the Trojans tied things up in the top of the seventh, but three more runs for the Green and Gold in the bottom half would prove to ice the game.
Senior utility man Colton Schultz had the biggest swing of the UAB bats, belting a solo shot out of right field for the first-inning lead. Freshman infielder Chandler Simpson had the most consistent day at the dish from the nine hole, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
On the hill, senior right-hander Austin Bohannon got the start, tossing 4.2 innings and allowing one earned run with a strikeout. Junior righty Jordan Bonk picked up his first win as a Blazer in relief after a no run, one hit inning with a strikeout. Grad transfer right hander Mac McCarty came into the game as the nation’s WHIP leader at 0.18 and showed why as he earned his fifth save of the season in as many opportunities. The Port Orchard, Wash., native put forth another near flawless display, allowing just one hit in two innings of work.
“Well, it wasn’t pretty, but our pitchers gutted it out, hung in there and held a very good hitting team to two runs,” said coach Brian Shoop. “This team scored a lot of runs at Florida, the No. 1 team in the country. Our guys hung in there and battled really well. We were able to use our formula and get the ball to McCarty. That’s been a pretty good formula so far. He’s been really special. You feel good if you get him the lead.”
Schultz got the Blazers going at the plate early, smashing his one-run dinger in the bottom of the first. The Huntsville, Ala., native crossed the plate once again the fourth, being driven in on a double by junior infielder Ian Ladner after getting in scoring position by way of a walk and wild pitch.
The Trojans found a spark in the top of the fifth, getting their first run on the board after three singles. An inning would pass before Troy managed to even things up as a single and pair of hit batters loaded the bases to set up a score on a fielder’s choice, knotting things up at two apiece.
UAB put the game to bed in the bottom of the frame, adding three runs. The Blazers loaded the bases on singles by redshirt senior outfielder Zack Davis and Simpson with a walk by senior infielder Austin Triplett in between. After a fielder’s choice put out the lead runner, junior outfielder Caleb Floyd picked up an effortless RBI as the go-ahead run was walked home. The Trojan shortstop later whiffed on a grounder, allowing Simpson and redshirt sophomore Jess Davis to cross the plate.
From the beginning of the eighth on, the ball was in McCarty’s hands. As has been the case all season, the sidewinder took care of business to shut down Troy and sustain the 5-2 UAB lead for the win.
UAB is currently scheduled to host Jacksonville State at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Regions Field. Game time, venue and status for the Blazers’ next midweek tilt is subject to change based on field conditions. Fans are highly encouraged to keep a close check on game updates. Once a final decision is made, updates will be provided on uabsports.com and through the UAB baseball social channels. 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-
