By Patrick Stumpf
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay softball team concluded play at the Tennessee Invitational on Sunday morning, taking the diamond against UAB (7-15) for its fifth game in three days.
Trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning, the Phoenix (4-11) rallied for three runs in the frame to take its first lead, 3-1. However, the Blazers answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth, before junior Mary Warren led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk-off home run to give UAB the 4-3 victory.
UAB 4, Green Bay 3
Both teams played to a scoreless tie through the first two innings, before UAB got on the board first in the bottom of the third. After a one-out single by shortstop Caitlin Atfield, the reigning Conference USA Player of the Year stole second and third before a RBI-single by left fielder Kelly Britt made it 1-0.
The game remained 1-0 until the sixth, when Green Bay's No. 2 hitter Abby Brinkmeier led off the inning with a walk. After a sacrifice bunt by freshman Acacia Tupa moved Brinkmeier into scoring position, the Phoenix left fielder advanced to third on a wild pitch from UAB starter Megan Smith. Following the play, the Blazers elected to intentionally walk first baseman Allie Taylor, who was replaced by pinch runner Alexis Otto.
With one down, second baseman Alanna Beyer reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases, before Katelyn Huemmer connected on a RBI single to knot the game up at one. Freshman Brennan Engel followed Huemmer's at-bat by reaching on a fielding error to score Otto that made it 2-1 Green Bay, before Smith's second wild pitch of the inning allowed Beyer to score. After making a pitching change, Blazers junior Cara Goodwin struck out the final two Phoenix batters of the inning to keep it, 3-1.
In the very next frame, UAB received the tying runs on a fielding error and a RBI single, which ultimately set up Warren's game-ending home run.
Making her third appearance, freshman Sara Simonar (0-2) spent all six innings in the circle for Green Bay, allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits, with four walks and a pair of strikeouts.
Green Bay has two days off before returning to action on Tuesday, March 8 against Webber International in Babson, Fla. The Phoenix will play each of its next 13 games in the Sunshine State, before kicking off Horizon League action on March 25 at Wright State.
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