Crimson Red Sports

The Alabama bats erupted for 11 hits and seven runs and Mike Oczypok surrendered one run in six strong innings as the Crimson Tide defeated the UAB Blazers, 7-4, on Tuesday night from Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Alabama's win boosts their record to 23-16 overall, and the Blazers drop to 16-21. Alabama is now 5-3 against in-state opponents and 9-3 in midweek games this season.

"Two things: one is we wanted to give Brett Booth a night off from behind the plate and so we moved him to first," Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard said. "Secondly we actually have been discussing putting Kenny Roberts in the leadoff hole and having Georgie [Salem] in the two-hole - a couple of things with that - one [is] if Kenny can get on it frees up the four hole and secondly I think Georgie is used to hitting more in the middle of the lineup and he has done a good job. I really think Kenny is maybe more suited for that leadoff hole right now. We wanted to look at it - I liked what I saw tonight. We were able to get off the deck early and get started and it was good to get those two guys on and Ben gets the big hit. I thought offensively - especially in the front part of the game - I thought we had good flow within the ballgame."

The No. 4 ranked Alabama softball team wrapped up its nonconference schedule with a convincing, 11-0 victory, Tuesday night at Rhoads Stadium. With the win, the Crimson Tide improves to 38-6 while the Golden Eagles move to 11-33 on the season.

Alabama scored the 11 runs on nine hits, led by senior Kayla Braud's 2-for-2 effort at the plate. Braud scored twice and stole a base.

Senior Lauren Sewell (8-0) earned the win, tossing four shutout innings before giving way to junior All-American Jackie Traina. Sewell allowed just one hit, walked three and struck out one in the winning effort.