BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth as the Blazers stopped Eastern Illinois, 3-1, on the opening night of the UAB Spring Invite.
 
EIU fell to 6-2 on the season while UAB improved to 5-5.
 
The Panthers scored the first run of game in the top of the fourth as Hannah Cravens opened the frame with a walk. She would advance to third on an error with Haley Mitchell at the plate giving the Panthers runners at first and second.     EIU would place runners at the corners after Mia Davis reached on a fielders choice.  Amber Cieplinski then delivered an RBI double to center that scored Cravens and moved Davis up to third.   EIU's next batters in the order were set down to end the Panthers scoring threat.
 
Jade Montgomery sat the Blazers down in order in the bottom of the fourth and looked strong to that point in the start.  In the fifth, UAB was able to break through, tying the score at 1-1 with back-to-back doubles by Faith Hegh and Olivia Valbak.   Jolie Readeaux gave UAB the lead with a single that scored Valbak.   Jenna Olszewski followed with a single with Readeaux coming around to score on an EIU error for an insurance run.
 
Parker Conrad entered to pitch the final three innings for UAB allowing one hit with five strikeouts to improve to 1-0.  Montgomery was tagged with the loss falling to 3-2 on the year.
 
Hegh was the only player on either team with multiple hits going 2-for-3 to lead the Blazers as they had six total hits. 
 
EIU was held to four hits with Cieplinski's double and singles by Morgan Lewis, Mia Davis and Abby Taylor.