Spring Break
Dawgs rebound with victory over Blazers
Melissa Meador
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Sports
The Blazers presented Moore with a challenge in the third inning as they loaded the bases with no outs, but the freshman then retired the side to keep the Bulldogs in the game.
Moore said he felt that inning was the turning point for the Dawgs.
"It was big. I got myself in a hole with putting people on, but getting them out was a big part of turning the game around," Moore said. "It was just important to keep that score at 2-1 with us coming up to bat."
Fellow freshman Michael Busby relieved Moore in the sixth and combined with junior closer Aaron Weatherford to keep the Blazers hitless for the rest of the game. Weatherford struck out four en route to earning his first save of the season.
Polk said his freshman pitchers particularly impressed him and showed much promise for the future.
"I was very impressed with Forrest and with Michael Busby, although they're still youngsters," Polk said. "I think down the road, if they stay healthy, they could potentially be SEC rotation guys."
UAB starter Shay Crawford would take the loss after being touched for five earned runs, six hits and three walks.
Blazers reliever James Oliver was also tagged for four runs after Jet Butler and Conner Powers had back-to-back RBI singles in the eighth inning.
Nappi would earn another RBI on a bases-loaded walk, and Russ Sneed capped off the Bulldogs' scoring after a balk.
Polk said he hoped the win would be a confidence booster as they head into the weekend where they will continue their homestand with a three-game series against Air Force.
"This was a real important game for us early in the season for us to get back to winning ways," Polk said. "Now we've got Air Force coming in this weekend. But we've got a lively group of kids that seem to enjoy each other and enjoy playing, and I don't think a couple of losses are going to get them down."
Moore said he felt that inning was the turning point for the Dawgs.
"It was big. I got myself in a hole with putting people on, but getting them out was a big part of turning the game around," Moore said. "It was just important to keep that score at 2-1 with us coming up to bat."
Fellow freshman Michael Busby relieved Moore in the sixth and combined with junior closer Aaron Weatherford to keep the Blazers hitless for the rest of the game. Weatherford struck out four en route to earning his first save of the season.
Polk said his freshman pitchers particularly impressed him and showed much promise for the future.
"I was very impressed with Forrest and with Michael Busby, although they're still youngsters," Polk said. "I think down the road, if they stay healthy, they could potentially be SEC rotation guys."
UAB starter Shay Crawford would take the loss after being touched for five earned runs, six hits and three walks.
Blazers reliever James Oliver was also tagged for four runs after Jet Butler and Conner Powers had back-to-back RBI singles in the eighth inning.
Nappi would earn another RBI on a bases-loaded walk, and Russ Sneed capped off the Bulldogs' scoring after a balk.
Polk said he hoped the win would be a confidence booster as they head into the weekend where they will continue their homestand with a three-game series against Air Force.
"This was a real important game for us early in the season for us to get back to winning ways," Polk said. "Now we've got Air Force coming in this weekend. But we've got a lively group of kids that seem to enjoy each other and enjoy playing, and I don't think a couple of losses are going to get them down."
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