MIAMI (April 2, 2015) – A nine-run third inning sparked a comeback for the FIU softball team (23-16, 6-7 C-USA) on Thursday night, as the Panthers erased a seven-run deficit to hand the (RV) UAB Blazers a 16-9 loss in the first matchup of the three-game series. The 16 runs FIU scored topped its previous season-high of 15, which was set on Feb. 22 vs. North Dakota, while eight of the Panthers' starting nine registered at least one RBI in the contest.
 
Sophomore Ashley Leon (1-for-5), junior Aleima Lopez (3-for-5) and freshman Ashley Belans (3-for-3) each plated a game-high three-RBI for FIU.
 
Junior Corinne Jenkins tossed the first 2.2 innings before freshman Rachel Dwyer (2-1) came into a tough situation with her team trailing by seven and hurled the next two innings, holding the Blazers to just three hits and one unearned run. Senior Shelby Graves closed the door for the final2.1 innings and picked up her second save of the season.
 
Jenkins caught Caitlyn Attfield looking to lead off the game, but the Blazers struck in the top of the first with a two-run home run and added another two runs in the second inning in the same fashion. Jenkins picked up two strikeouts in the third inning, but UAB would capitalize with two outs and up the score to 7-0 off three runs before Dwyer came in to pick up an inning-ending strikeout.
 
FIU was able to jump-start its offense in the bottom of the frame with nine runs, as Belans and Erin Eiland each walked, while senior Rebekah Sanchez loaded the bases with a sharp single to left field. Leon cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple over the center fielder's head. Sophomore Stephanie Texeira then reached on an error which drove in Leon, while sophomore Gabby Spallone joined in on the action with FIU's second triple in three at bats, which scored Texeira from first. Belans, in her second at bat of the inning, belted a three-run home run to give FIU a 9-7 lead, as the Panthers erased a seven-run deficit in the frame.
 
The first three Blazers reached base safely to open the fourth inning and a sacrifice fly drove in one run, but Dwyer was able to limit the damage, as she picked up a key strikeout to tally the second out of the inning. Lopez gave her pitcher a two-run cushion in the bottom of the frame off a solo home run to left field.
 
The Panthers turned a 6-4-3 double play in the top of the fifth to wipe a lead-off base runner, but UAB fought back to load the bases. Graves, who entered the game with two away, forced a grounder to short, allowing Belans to tag second base unassisted.
 
FIU's offense exploded again in the bottom of the inning for six runs, highlighted by three-straight at bats that scored two runs each. Lopez crushed a double to center, while Graves provided herself some run insurance off a two-RBI single. Eiland then plated two RBI of her own off a double to no-man's land in right center.
 
The Panthers and Blazers resume the series tomorrow, as a double header from Felsberg Field at FIU Softball Stadium is set to begin at 5 p.m.
 
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports, and is a proud member of Conference USA. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and the FIU Football Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $9.8 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.