Marshall University Athletics
Blazers Top Herd, 7-1
2/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Blazers Top Herd, 7-1
2/27/2004
- Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Thundering Herd baseball team was able to tally only two hits as they were defeated by the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers, 7-1, on Friday night at Young Memorial Field.
Both starting pitchers cruised through the first 1 ? innings without allowing a hit, but with two outs in the bottom of the second, the Blazers hit two straight doubles off of Herd starter Scott Henning (Wilmington, DE) to take a 1-0 lead. A single to left field by Blazer Zac Ward brought in another run, giving the Blazers a 2-0 lead at the end of two.
Marshall came back in the top of the third when Mike Koitsopoulos (Markham, Ont.) reached base on a fielder?s choice. After stealing second, Koitsopoulos was brought in by a Chris Monaco (Tucson, AZ) single to cut UAB?s lead to 2-1. The next two batters were hit by pitches to load the bases with one out, but Adam Frederick (Franklin, PA) hit a bullet caught by third baseman Zac Ward. Ward tagged out Monaco to complete the double play and end the inning.
The momentum for the Herd was shortlived, however, as UAB added another run in the bottom of the third. After doubling to right field to lead off the inning, Josh Miljavac advanced to third on a double play ball hit by first baseman Daniel Hill. Left fielder Matt Womble laid down a perfect bunt to bring in Miljavac on the suicide squeeze play and give UAB a 3-1 lead. Scott Henning proceeded to strike out the final batter of the inning.
In the fourth, the Blazers added two more runs to extend their lead to 5-1. Scott Henning allowed a double and walk to have two on with one out. He was replaced by freshman right hander Troy Wilson (Saegertown, PA) who allowed a single to Miljavac, which brought in the one run. The other Blazer run in the inning was scored on a wild pitch. Wilson got out of the inning without any further damage after striking out the final two batters. The Blazers continued their scoring in the fifth, scoring two runs on two doubles and a walk. Freshman leftie Brian Chrisman (Pittsburgh, PA) was brought in with two outs in the inning and struck out Blazer Sam Clark to end the inning.
UAB threatened again in the bottom of the sixth. After retiring the first two batters of the inning, Brian Chrisman walked the next two batters. Sophomore Andrew Davis (Charleston, WV) was brought in and got Blazer Matt Womble to fly out to deep left to end the inning. Davis pitched out of another jam in the seventh after Blazer pinch hitter Rush Knight hit a leadoff double. He reached third on a fielder?s choice with one out, but Davis was able to get the final two outs on consecutive ground outs.
Sophomore pitcher Mike Marchyshyn (Markham, Ont.) saw his first action of the year when he came into the game to pitch the eighth inning. He retired the Blazers in order to record the only 1-2-3 inning of the day for the Herd. In the top of the ninth, the Herd was retired in order for the second straight inning to end the game.
While the Blazer hitters tallied ten hits, their pitching staff limited the Herd offense to only two hits. They also retired the final 11 Marshall batters in order, protecting their lead. Corie O?Bryan and Chris Monaco notched the only two hits of the game for MU.
Scott Henning took the loss for Marshall. His record drops to 0-3. He pitched 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on six hits. Brian Chrisman and Mike Marchyshyn each pitched hitless innings. Andrew Davis pitched 1.1 innings, allowing one hit.
The loss drops the Herd to a record of 1-6 while the win improves UAB to a record of 6-0, extending their unbeaten streak to nine dating back to last season.
In the two times UAB and Marshall have met, the Blazers have outscored the Herd by a total of 19-2.
Marshall will look to rebound when the two teams face each other on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Young Memorial Field. MU starting pitcher Chris Koutsavlis (Pittsburgh, PA) will try and notch his first win of the season and end the unbeaten streak of the Blazers. HerdZone.com will have an update directly after the game.
