May. 1, 2005

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- Zac Ward's three-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning was all the offense UAB needed as the Blazers clinched a series victory over Charlotte with a 5-2 win on Sunday afternoon at Young Memorial Field. UAB improves to 28-16 overall and 12-9 in Conference USA while the 49ers are now 25-17, 8-13 in the league.

Ryan Huffman improved his record to a perfect 6-0 after shutting down the 49er offense over the final 4.1 innings. Huffman allowed just two hits while striking out five Charlotte batters. UAB starting pitcher Brandon Flaherty worked 4.2 innings and allowed just two earned runs while striking out four, but did not figure in the decision.

The 49ers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Two walks and a hit batsman loaded the bases with just one out. Alex Bryant then pushed a squeeze bunt up the first base line which scored Mike Ambrose with the game's first run.

O'Brien Taylor came around with Charlotte's second run in the top of the fifth inning. After reaching on a bunt single, Taylor moved to second on a groundout by Adam Willard then scored when Kris Rochelle singled through the left side of the infield.

The Blazers loaded the bases with just one out in the bottom of the fifth. Ryan Metcalf lined a one-out single into center field, and Clint Toomey and Dan Stucky followed with walks. Zac Ward then stepped to the plate and hit a three-run, bases-clearing double down the left field line, giving UAB a 3-2 advantage. Ward plated the Blazers' fourth run when Cole Helms bounced into a fielder's choice two batters later.

J.R. Bond gave the Blazers an extra run to work with when he lined a two-out, RBI single through the left side of the infield, scoring Nathan McCorkle in the bottom of the eighth. McCorkle finished the day a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate for UAB.

UAB returns to action Wednesday when they travel to Tuscaloosa for a showdown with nationally-ranked Alabama at 6:30 p.m. The Blazers defeated the Crimson Tide, 7-1 when they met in Birmingham back in February.