Tulane University
UAB
Gautreau Lifts Tulane Baseball Past UAB, 5-4
Apr 28, 2001 | Baseball
April 28, 2001
NEW ORLEANS, La.-- Jake Gautreau smashed a two out, two run, bottom of the ninth home run and lifted Tulane (38-8, 15-5 C-USA) past UAB (22-22, 5-15 C-USA) 5-4 on Saturday afternoon.
The Tulane win came in dramatic style as UAB held a 4-3 advantage heading into the bottom of the ninth. Jay Heintz started the half inning with a lead off single, but UAB closer Blake Allen retired the next two batters. Gautreau then delivered the game-winning homer deep into right. On the afternoon he was 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI.
Everyone in attendance knew it would be a nail biter as UAB's Mitch Jones hit a leadoff home run into left to start the game. Tulane tied the game in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by James Jurries, and took a 2-1 lead in the second on an Anthony Giarratano ground out to second base.
With the game tied at 2-2 heading into the seventh, And Cannizaro singled through the left side giving the Wave a 3-2 lead that didn?t last very long. Garner doubled off Tulane reliever Matt Foster to tie the game. UAB took the lead when Foster hit Cory Acklus with the bases loaded.
Foster (9-3) got the win, his ninth of the year. He went one inning, gave up one hit, one run and struck out one. Starter Barth Melius posted yet another gutsy performance. He went eight plus innings, scattered eight hits and gave up three runs.
The losing pitcher was Allen (3-5). He went 2/3 innings and gave up the home run to Gautreau.
The teams wrap up the series on Sunday, April 29 at 1:00 p.m.
