BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Wichita State scored four runs in the seventh and three more in the ninth to turn a close game into a comfortable 9-2 win over UAB on Saturday afternoon at Young Memorial Field.
The Shockers (14-8, 1-1) led just 2-1 into the top of the seventh when the Blazers went to their bullpen for the first time, bringing on right-hander Ben Abernathy. A single and an error put runners at first and third for
Dayvin Johnson, who followed with a slicing three-run homer to left for a 5-1 lead. Later in the inning,
Jordan Rogers was hit by a pitch, moved to third on a walk and a fly out, then scored when
Mauricio Millan laid down a successful squeeze bunt that extended the advantage to 6-1.
UAB (11-11, 1-1) got a run back in the eighth on an RBI ground out, but the Shockers put the game out of reach with another big crooked number in the top of the ninth. Johnson led off with a single, Rogers moved him to third with double and
Jaden Gustafson plated them both with a two-run double of his own down the left field line. Millan produced the final run of the day with an RBI single, matching his career high with three runs driven in.
Nate Adler worked around two walks and a single to toss a scoreless ninth that closed out the victory.
Millan helped Wichita State take an early lead in the second, crushing his second career home run in the top of the second for a quick 1-0 advantage. Back-to-back two-out doubles from
Lane Haworth and
Camden Johnson added another run in the frame for a 2-0 edge.
Freshman righty
Brady Hamilton (1-2) made that early run support stand up with five solid innings in his first weekend start, allowing seven hits and one run while striking out three and walking one.
Tyler Dobbs,
Caleb Anderson,
Hunter Holmes and Adler allowed just two hits and one run over the final four innings out of the WSU bullpen.
Braxton Shelton (1-2) took the tough-luck loss for UAB, surrendering just two runs over six innings of work while striking out six.
Rogers was the offensive star for Wichita State, matching his career best with four hits in four at-bats. Millan, Haworth and both Johnsons joined Rogers with multi-hit games, each recording a pair of knocks.
The Shockers and Blazers wrap up the series with the rubber match on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm.
