BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The FIU softball team led 1-0 through five innings before a pair of home runs by UAB in the sixth lifted the Blazers to a 3-1 victory over the Panthers in the finale of a three-game conference series on Sunday.
 
Freshman Isabella Perez gave the Panthers a 1-0 edge with her team-leading 20th RBI of the season on a single to left in the third to score Brooke McCann.
 
The lead held up until the top of the sixth when the Blazers answered with a pair of homers to stake a 3-1 advantage.  Sierra Frazier started the push with a shot to left field that deadlocked the score at 1-1.  Lindsey Smith followed three batters later with a two-run blast to left to put UAB ahead 3-1.
 
Freshman Megan Kruger (5-3) took the loss for FIU after allowing five hits and three runs across 5.1 innings of work.  She walked five and fanned one.
 
UAB's Caitlin Russell (5-0) picked up the victory for the Blazers after allowing one unearned run and four hits over six innings.  She struck out two and walked a pair.
 
Perez paced the Panthers offensively with a pair of hits.  FIU stranded seven runners on base in the loss.
 
The Panthers move to 15-18 overall and 2-7 in Conference USA action.  UAB improves to 16-16 and 5-4 in league play.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers return home to Felsberg Field on Friday, March 31 for the opening game of a three-game conference set against UTSA.  First pitch on Friday is slated for 6 p.m. ET.
 
TICKETS
For more information on FIU Softball season and individual tickets, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit the FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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