TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 25, 2007) ? Looking for its first tournament title of the season, the University of South Florida softball team lost its second championship game of the season, dropping a 2-1 decision to Alabama-Birmingham on Sunday afternoon in “The Game” Tournament held at the USF Softball Field.
The Bulls (11-6) had their chances to at least tie the game or take the lead, but couldn't capitalize. USF loaded up the bases in the first and the fifth inning and stranded all three runners each time when UAB pitcher Jennifer Nelson shut down USF's batters.
Nelson, a southpaw, pitched a complete game for the Blazers (9-6) and improved her record to 7-2. After she gave up a run on two hits to the Bulls in the first inning, Nelson closed out the game allowing only three hits. USF took advantage of her mistakes and showed its patience at the plate drawing three walks, but couldn't make the most of the opportunity.
Sophomore Cristi Ecks (4-2) was credited with the USF loss despite her solid outing in the circle. Although she gave up two runs, Ecks posted nine strikeouts and only gave up four hits in seven innings.
The Bulls opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first, taking a 1-0 lead. Aya Nakajima drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second base off of a Britta Giddens sacrifice bunt. Danielle Urbanik drove in Nakajima from second base after she singled up the middle. JoJo Medina recorded a base hit and Cat Olnick drew a walk to load up the bases with two outs, but UAB got out of the inning only down by one.
In the top of the fourth, UAB got its offense going and jumped out to a 2-1 lead. Consecutive base hits to open up the top of the order came back to score, as Nicole Tumlin cleared the bases with a single to right field.
USF's last scoring chance came in the bottom of the fifth inning when it loaded up the base for the second time. After Nakajima was hit by a pitch and Urbanik walked, Medina filled the bases with a single to left field. With two outs to work with, the Bulls couldn't get anyone home as Nelson shut down the final two batters on a strikeout and groundout.
The Bulls will look to get back on the winning track on Tuesday when they host Eastern Michigan in a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.
