Final Stats

Box Score: UAB 7, LA Tech 0

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - After Louisiana Tech found itself in a six-run deficit in the first inning, the Bulldogs could never recover as UAB took the series opener, 7-0, on Friday night at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

UAB plated six runs in the first inning on just two hits to jump out on top, while LA Tech struggled both defensively and at the plate with three errors in the first inning alone and three hits the entire game, which led to the Bulldogs being shut out for the first time this season. The Blazers added their seventh and final run of the game the very next inning and the score remained 7-0 in favor of UAB the rest of the way.

It was a tough night for LA Tech starter Tyler Clancy who was making his first start in a week and a half due to last week's games being canceled. Clancy (3-2) was charged with the loss after allowing seven runs -- five earned -- on five hits and four walks in just 2.1 innings on the mound.

The lone bright spot for Louisiana Tech was the performance of reliever Jorge Flores who came on with one out in the third and finished out the game by holding UAB hitless in 5.2 innings. The lefthander allowed just three baserunners in almost six innings of relief work, while he only walked one and hit a batter in the outing.

On the other side of the diamond, UAB starter Ryan Ruggles was dealing on the mound for the Blazers as the lefty held LA Tech to just two hits through 6.2 innings, while walking three and striking out three. Ruggles (2-1) was relieved in the seventh by fellow lefthander Adam Lamar who allowed one hit in the final 2.1 innings of the game.

The six-run first inning UAB put together began with Clancy issuing walks to three of the first four batters, but it was Blazer first baseman Carter Pharis who delivered the big blow with a bases-loaded double to clear the bases and put UAB up 4-0 before LA Tech recorded an out. UAB ended up scoring two more runs in the first inning due in part to three errors by the Bulldogs' defense to put LA Tech in a 6-0 hole to start the game. The Blazers added their seventh run with two outs in the second inning thanks to Pharis' fourth RBI of the day as the first baseman drove in a run on a single to left.

Down 7-0 through two innings, LA Tech hitters struggled to put together or capitalize on any sort of rally throughout the game as the Bulldogs left eight runners on base on the night. Garrett Dodd, Sean Ullrich and Chase Lunceford each had one hit apiece for the Bulldogs in the loss.

The series continues at 2 p.m. Saturday at Regions Field in Birmingham. LA Tech will start junior lefthander Phillip Diehl (2-1, 1.23 ERA) on the mound, while UAB will counter with freshman righthander Tanner Graham (1-2, 3.68 ERA).

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