HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i dropped its first game of the season in a 4-3 loss to UAB in the second day of the 8th Hawai`i Paradise Classic held at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Hawai`i falls to 1-1 in the Classic as Rainbow Wahine Jessica Morton (0-1) suffered the loss while UAB is 1-0 and Blazer starting pitcher Erica Mascarenas picked up the win and Tara Higashino notched the save tossing a strong seventh inning..

Hawai`i (1-1) opened up the scoring in the top of the second inning as Stacey Ritter walked and was forced at second by Marie Jackson. Tyleen Tausaga's bloop single to left center moved Jackson to third where she scored on a wild pitch by UAB starter Erica Mascarenas (1-0).

The Blazers took a 2-1 lead in the third inning as Chelsea McCally led off with a walk, moved to second on Holly Krzan's single, then on to third on an error at third off Sara Christophel's grounder, where she eventually scored on Beth Mullins fielder's choice. Krzan later scored on a throwing error by Noelle Izumi at second base on Amanda Ellis' grounder.

The Rainbow Wahine tied the game in the fifth after Tausaga led off with a double to left center. Tara Harbert entered as a pinch-runner and scored on Tracie Uchima's single to right.

UH took the lead in the sixth as pinch-hitter Amanda Garza drew a one-out walk, moved to second when Jackson was hit by a pitch, and moved to third on a throwing error by the UAB catcher. Garza then scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball.

UAB (1-0) bounced back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth on RBI singles by Krzan and Mullins.

Hawai`i committed four costly errors in the contest allowing three unearned runs for the Blazers.

UH takes on Oregon State Friday in a 6 p.m. nightcap.