South Florida Shuts Out UAB, 5-0
May 10, 2001 | Softball
May 10, 2001
LOUISVILLE - The first two games of the Conference USA Tournament have featured a pair of complete game, two hit shutouts, as South Florida's Jessi Kowal followed Southern Miss pitcher Melissa Cundiff's fine effort in the opener with a stellar performance of her own in the Bulls' 5-0 victory over UAB on Thursday afternoon at Ulmer Stadium. . Kowal allowed just two hits, while striking out eight and walking none. South Florida, the tournament's third seed, improves to 40-30 as it heads to tomorrow's second round game with second-seeded Southern Miss. The sixth-seeded Blazers fall to 26-34 as they will meet Saint Louis tonight at 6:30 p.m.
South Florida coach Ken Eriksen credited his senior catcher, Priscilla Smith, for much of Kowal's success in the circle.
"Kowal and Smith made an outstanding battery today," he said. "Priscilla doing her homework makes Jessi a better pitcher, then all she has to do is execute."
The Bulls came out swinging in the bottom of the first inning. Courtney Lewellen's two-out triple, scored leadoff hitter Shelly Riker, who had singled. UAB first baseman Jessica Smith's throw home was wild, allowing Lewellen to score as well. USF added one insurance run each in the third, fourth and sixth innings, highlighted by second baseman Cindy Turek's sixth home run of the season in the sixth inning.
UAB coach Marla Townsend hopes her young team can rebound tonight against Saint Louis.
"We made a few mistakes early that hurt us," she said. "It's hard to come from behind against a good team like South Florida. We must play every game now like it is our last."
Kerri Foster took the loss for the Blazers, surrendering seven hits and five runs (four unearned) while striking out seven.
R H EUAB 000 000 0 0 2 2USF 201 101 5 7 1
WP: Kowal (22-11)LP: Foster (13-15)2B: Thompson3B: LewellenHR: C. Turek (6), Smith (3)SB: Engram, Riker 2, Phillips, Hazzard
