BIRMINGHAM – The UAB baseball team used a seven-run rally in the bottom of the eighth to speed past Toledo for a 9-5 win on Sunday. The Blazers trailed until that point with just two runs on six hits, but tallied seven more hits for same number of runs in the inning alone to blow by the Rockets for the win.
UAB (7-7) had a solid day at the dish overall as five Blazers came away with multiple hits and six finished with at least one RBI. Senior catcher J Paul Fullerton led the way at 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, but fellow seniors Colton Schultz and Zack Davis each launched crucial homeruns as Schultz finished with three RBI and Zack Davis picked up two. Other Blazers with multiple hits and an RBI included redshirt sophomore outfielder Jess Davis, redshirt junior designated hitter Thomas Johns and freshman infielder Chandler Simpson.
On the hill, sophomore righty Tyler O’Clair got the start and tossed five innings with three strikeouts. Four more Blazers spent time on the mound, but senior right-hander Sylvester Toe earned the win after a one hit, one strikeout eighth inning.
“It was great. It was actually a really well-played, clean game the whole way until that inning,” said coach Brian Shoop. “We were just on the short end of it in a well-played game, then Zack hits a two-run homerun, Thomas walks behind it, Caleb (Floyd) came off the bench and doubled again – he’s having such a good year for us – a big walk, then we get a bloop to fall for us, which you’re going to take after having some line drive outs too. It was great for the kids to hang in there, keep battling and keep fighting. We look forward to the rubber game tomorrow.”
Toledo (2-11) struck first, putting a pair on the board in the opening half. With two down, the Rockets drew a walk followed by a double and single that both resulted in RBI.
UAB clapped back in the bottom of the frame as senior utility man Colton Schultz laced a solo shot over the right-field wall for his third homerun of the season.
Leading 2-1 heading into the third, Toledo added two more scores. After the leadoff man was hit by a pitch, he was driven in on a double. The next batter singled to put runners on the corners, allowing a double play ball to score the man on third for a 4-1 Rocket lead.
UAB inched closer again in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the lead to 4-2. Senior catcher J Paul Fullerton led off the inning with a single, being driven around the base path on a double to deep right center by Johns.
After a few quiet innings, Toledo increased its lead to three in the top of the eighth. The Rockets put runners on the corners with a walk and a following single, going ahead 5-2 after a throw to catch the man stealing second ended up in the outfield and allowed the runner on third to score.
The Blazers rallied in the bottom of the frame, piling up seven runs. J Paul Fullerton singled once again to get things started before redshirt senior outfielder Zack Davis belted a two-run bomb out of right field. Next, UAB loaded the bases as Johns walked, junior pinch hitter Caleb Floyd cracked a double and sophomore infielder Pate Fullerton walked. Simpson next singled to even the tally. Jess Davis then put the Blazers on top with another RBI single, and two more singles scored three runs to put the Blazers up, 9-5. Schultz earned two of those RBI with his single while J Paul Fullerton picked up the third with his second single of the inning.
With a four-run lead and Toledo down to its final three outs, grad transfer senior Mac McCarty resumed his closing duties and allowed only a walk to cap off UAB’s comeback win, 9-5.
The rubber match will be held on Sunday 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-
