UTEP�s Harrawood Records Career-High 7 Ks in Game 2

BIRMINGHAM, Al. – Senior Erika Harrawood registered a career-high seven strikeouts in a 3-0 game two loss as UAB pulled away late from UTEP. The Blazers (18-29, 9-9 Conference USA) also defeated the Miners (11-33, 5-15 C-USA) 3-1 in game one Saturday afternoon at Mary Bowers Field.

The series finale will be played on UAB’s Senior Day at noon MT. With the two losses, UTEP is officially eliminated from postseason participation.

UTEP 1, UAB 3

Courtney Clayton knocked in Cortney Smith in the sixth inning to bring the Miners within two runs. Smith led the sixth with a double to left center and would advance to third on a passed ball. With one out, Clayton singled to left field that plated Smith for her 19th RBI of the season. But the UAB defense turned a double play to end the rally.

The Blazers’ leadoff hitter Destini England led the game off with a double to right center. England advanced to third on a sac-bunt by Danii Fernandez and Joanna Fallen reached on a fielder’s choice as England crossed the dish for an early 1-0 lead.

UAB would go on to score two more runs in the third on another Fallen RBI and a Madison Millsaps’ RBI single to make the score 3-0. The Miners, however, turned their 28th double play of the season that left two runners on base to keep the score within striking distance.

Ryder finished 2-for-4, while Lindsey Sokoloski (1-for-3), Smith (1-for-2), Sargent (1-for-3) and Clayton (1-for-2) each tallied knocks. Kaitlin Fifield (2-8) made the start, throwing 3.0 frames with one K. Taylor Grohmann also tossed 3.0 innings, allowing zero hits and striking out one. The two senior hurlers combined for no walks.

UTEP 0, UAB 3

After five scoreless innings and a solid performance from Harrawood, the Blazers scored three runs in the sixth to pull away from the Miners. Pinch hitter Rachel Dunsford singled to lead off the sixth. Pinch runner Katlyn Sides would go one to score the game’s first run with bases loaded.

Another pinch hitter Rian Brown drew a bases-loaded walk to earn the easy RBI. England, who had a hot bat on Saturday, knocked in a pair of runners on a 2-2 pitch. Harrawood would go on to record her seventh K and forced a Fallen groundout to end the frame.

In the seventh with two outs, Cross reached on an error, but Claire Blount would strikeout the last batter to end the contest.

Harrawood (3-12) allowed six hits in 6.0 frames of work and walked four with her career-high seven punch outs. Smith went 2-for-3, while Clayton (1-for-3) and Sargent (1-for-3) each registered hits.