BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Chris Mourelle might take up residency in Birmingham, Alabama. For the fourth time in four career starts against UAB, the FIU right-hander defeated the Blazers behind another sterling pitching performance.

FIU shutout UAB 11-0 Saturday afternoon at UAB's Young Memorial Field. The win left the Panthers (24-27, 11-15 Conference USA) in a tie with Charlotte for seventh place in the conference standings. UAB (19-31, 10-16 C-USA) which had been tied with FIU and Charlotte dropped one game back along with WKU, which also lost Saturday.

Mourelle (6-5) tossed seven shutout innings Saturday. He allowed seven hits, one walk and struck out three. 

After Saturday in four career starts against UAB, Mourelle is 4-0 with an 0.68 ERA. The junior has allowed two earned runs in 26 1/3 innings pitched against UAB.

FIU batters got Mourelle the only offense he would need with a four-run first inning in which the Panthers scored their runs on just two hits. UAB starter Ryan Ruggles (5-4) hit three FIU batters in the first inning, including Irving Lopez with the bases loaded to force in a run. The next batter, Austin Rodriguez walked with the bases loaded. Jack Schaaf hit a two-run single to cap the scoring in the first inning.

Schaaf was 4 for 5 with two RBI. Lopez and Nick Day each was 2 for 4 to continue to lead FIU in hitting. Lopez is batting a team-leading .318 and Day is hitting .317. Zach Files hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning.

FIU goes for the sweep of UAB on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. EDT. The game can be heard on the FIU Sports Radio Network.