BIRMINGHAM, AL – UAB scored a pair of runs in the second inning and made them hold up to get past FIU, 2-1, Friday afternoon in the opening game of a three-game series at Young Memorial Field in Birmingham.
The Panthers are now 14-17 overall and 4-6 in Conference USA play. The Blazers improved to 14-14 on the season and 6-4 in league play.
FIU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when
Adan Fernandez belted a solo home run off UAB starter Tanner Graham (2-3) over the left field wall. It was the freshman outfielder's fourth homer of the season.
UAB responded with a solo home run by Carter Pharis off FIU starter
Logan Allen (4-3) to tie the score in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Stephen Dobbs doubled and later came home with the go-ahead and decisive run on a single by Antonio Ralat.
Outside of the three batters in the second inning, Allen had another solid outing. The freshman left-hander went seven innings, allowed just four hits, walked two and struck out four.
Javier Valdes was 2 for 4 for the Panthers.
FIU and UAB play the middle game of the series Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. EDT.