BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- Western Michigan sophomore left-handed pitcher Keegan Akin struck out nine batters, but UAB ace Alex Luna was a force to be reckoned with as well, keeping the Bronco bats at bay as WMU baseball dropped a 4-1 decision in the season opener in Alabama Friday.

In an old-fashioned pitcher's duel, Akin and Luna put on a show, both almost equally as impressive. Akin allowed just four hits, one walk and two earned runs over six innings. His nine K's were the second most of his career.

A Preseason Conference USA selection, Luna entered the game coming off a junior season in which he posted a 7-1 record and 1.76 ERA. Luna proved worthy of the preseason nod, striking out six Broncos while surrendering just three hits and no walks over 7.2 shutout innings.

After playing three scoreless innings, UAB got on the board with a run in the bottom of the fourth using a leadoff single and a two-out double. The Blazers tacked on another run in the fifth before Akin's day was done.

UAB added two more runs off of WMU senior right-handed reliever Nick Bradley in the eighth to go up 4-0. Western Michigan put forth its best attempt at a rally in the top of the ninth, but only came away with one run.

“Our guys played really well on opening day,” said WMU head coach Billy Gernon. “Akin was electric posting nine K's and only one walk, but was on a pitch limit of 90.

“We had 4-5 line drives/hard hit balls that UAB defended well. You have to give credit to their pitcher tonight as he pounded the zone with three pitches. His 1.76 ERA last year in 87 innings of work in Conference USA was evident tonight.”

Western Michigan was a one hit away from changing the complexion of the game in the ninth. Brett Sunde drew a leadoff walk and with one away Jordan Tillman also took a free pass. Hunter Prince followed with a single to right to load the bases. After a UAB pitching change, junior transfer Mitchell Ho knocked in Sunde with a fielder's choice for his first RBI in a Bronco uniform. UAB's Cory Eller got out of the hot seat with a swinging strikeout on WMU's Caleb Caton to end the game.

Freshman CF Tanner Allison and freshman LF Evan Nelson each had a hit in the game for Western Michigan, as did Sunde and Prince.

Junior Kurt Hoekstra made his first career start at shortstop, while sophomore Nick Vogelmeier made his first career start at second base. Freshman LHP Jacob Piechota made his first career appearance out of the bullpen.

Western Michigan (0-1) and UAB (1-0) will wrap up the three-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Junior LHP Derek Schneider has moved up to throw game two of the series and senior RHP Chad Mayle will go in game three.