Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Alabama in Huntsville baseball team split its Gulf South Conference doubleheader Friday against visiting No. 25 West Florida. The Argonauts dropped UAH by a score of 4-2 in game one at Charger Park before the Chargers took down UWF, 8-2, in the nightcap, marking the second UAH victory over a ranked opponent this season.
After the day, UAH moves to 22-17 overall and 11-6 in the conference while UWF moves to 23-12 on the season and 5-8 in league play.
The two teams return to the diamond Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. CDT.
GAME ONE
The Chargers struggled offensively in game one, recording just three hits to West Florida's 11 as UAH dropped a 4-2 decision.
Drew Eiland (4-3) was tagged with the loss after working the complete game. He allowed four runs on 11 hits while striking out three and walking two. UWF's Josh Tanski was impressive as he also worked the full contest, allowing just two runs on only three hits while fanning seven batters.
UWF got the scoring started in the contest with a run in each of the first two innings, taking an early 2-0 lead over the Chargers. In the first frame, Taye Larry drew a leadoff walk, then stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. Larry then scored on a single by Eric Sauls. Korey Domenik scored in the second after legging out a double and coming home on Blake Barber's single through the left side.
With the bases loaded in the top of the fourth and two outs, the Argonauts plated another run off a groundout to the shortstop to take a 3-0 lead.
The Chargers broke through in the bottom of the sixth, scoring a run off a Grant DeBruin single to cut into the UWF lead, 3-1. Justin Pearson had reached base earlier by drawing a walk, and moved over on the following sacrifice bunt by Justin Riddle before scoring on DeBruin's single.
UWF and UAH traded runs in the ninth frame as the Argos went on to a 4-2 victory in game one.
GAME TWO
UAH used a three-run fourth inning en route to an 8-2 victory over West Florida in the nightcap. The win marks the Chargers' second victory over a ranked opponent this season.
UAH struck first in the bottom of the third inning, plating one run in the frame to take an early 1-0 advantage. With two outs, Grant DeBruin laced a double over the right fielder's head in right centerfield. DeBruin then scored on Eric Deese's single back up the middle in the very next at-bat.
The lead didn't last long however, as a fielding error in the fourth by DeBruin allowed a run to score and tie the game at 1-1 with two outs. The next batter, Max St. Hilaire then skied a double over Mike Love's head in right field which scored another run from first base, giving UWF a 2-1 lead.
Chandler Brock led off the bottom of the fourth with a double down the right line, and the Chargers had the bases loaded three batters later as Jon McKinney and Justin Pearson were both plunked by pitches. Justin Riddle then drew a walk which tied the game at 2-2. Back-to-back infield singles by DeBruin and Deese scored plated two more runs for UAH and the Chargers would lead 4-2 through four innings.
The Chargers crossed four more runs in the bottom of the sixth off four errors, taking a commanding 8-2 advantage which it would not relinquish.
Picking up the victory for UAH was Johnny Shuttlesworth (2-1) who hurled 5.0 innings, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters. Dana Wright earned his first save of the year while working the final shutout 2.0 innings, fanning three batters.
