The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Florida International
UAB Baseball Falls To FIU, 7-1, In Series Finale
5/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Final Stats (PDF)
MIAMI ---- FIU pounded out 13 hits and Panther starting pitcher Christopher Mourelle went seven innings and gave up just one hit as the UAB baseball team fell to FIU, 7-1, to finish the three-game series at FIU Stadium on Sunday.
FIU, who improves to 24-27 overall and 12-15 in Conference USA action, got a strong pitching effort from Mourelle (6-6), who struck out six batters and issued just one walk. UAB starter Johnny Lieske gave up five runs on nine hits to move his record to 3-5 this season. The Blazers fall to 28-22 overall, 13-14 in league play.
UAB fell behind for the first time in the series in the bottom of the first inning. FIU's Edwin Rios homered for the second-straight game -- this time a solo shot to right field for his 17th homer of the season.
The Panthers then laced four hits in the third inning, adding to their early advantage to go up 2-0. FIU plated another run in the bottom of the fifth off a two-out home run by left fielder Brian Portelli.
FIU then stretched its lead in the sixth inning, scoring four runs in the frame, including a two-run home run from center fielder Jack Schaaf.
While the Panther bats were hot, the Blazer offense could not get going as FIU's Mourelle retired 14-straight batters from the first through the fifth inning to add to FIU's offensive performance.  
The Blazers now travel to Jacksonville State for a mid-week contest on Tuesday, with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. CT.
UAB then returns home to host Old Dominion, beginning on Thursday.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow @UAB_Baseball. For more on all Blazer sports teams, follow @UABAthletics.
