The UAB Blazers women’s softball team lost 3-1 to South Florida on April 25, dropping the series and moving to a record of 7-16 in American Conference play. South Florida scored two runs in the first inning and added another in the fourth before UAB’s Ashlyn Shirah hit a solo home run for the Blazers’ only run.
This loss impacts UAB’s standing in conference play as they continue their season. Early scoring by South Florida set the tone for the game, with a triple followed by an RBI groundout and then a home run giving them an early lead.
South Florida extended its advantage with another run in the fourth inning after two singles and sacrifices. The Blazers struggled offensively, going three-up-three-down through each of the first three innings. Shirah broke through with her eighth home run of the year at the start of the fourth inning, but UAB could not capitalize further despite getting additional baserunners that inning.
After Shirah’s homerun, UAB did not generate more offense and went three-up-three-down over their final three innings. Olivia Cummings took the loss for UAB, allowing three earned runs on seven hits over three innings pitched. Davidson relieved Cummings in the fourth inning and finished out four scoreless innings while allowing only three hits and one walk.
Shirah now leads her team with eight home runs this season—just two away from making it onto UAB’s single-season list—and has collected 36 runs batted in so far this year. She needs four more RBI to enter into UAB’s single-season top ten list.
The Blazers will conclude their regular season home schedule against South Florida tomorrow at Mary Bowers Field at 11 a.m., followed by Senior Day celebrations.
