The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers, 49ers Clash in Birmingham for C-USA Series
4/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
UAB (23-15, 10-8 C-USA) vs. Charlotte (13-21, 7-14 C-USA)
Details: Young Memorial Field | Birmingham, Ala.
Friday, April 24 -- 4 p.m. | Saturday, April 25 -- 2 p.m. | Sunday, April 26 -- 1 p.m.
Follow the Blazers: Twitter
Radio: Friday Only: 1070 WAPI-AM | Talent: David Crane (PXP)
Live Stats: Game One | Game Two | Game Three
Live Video: Game One | Game Two | Game Three
Game Notes: UAB | Charlotte | C-USA
Probable Starting Pitchers:
Friday -- RHP James Naile (6-2, 2.22) vs. LHP Sean Geoghegan (4-3, 2.87)
Saturday -- RHP Alex Luna (3-2, 2.96) vs. LHP J.D. Prochaska (3-2, 5.40)
Sunday -- RHP Johnny Lieske (3-3, 3.67) vs. LHP Josh Maciejewski (2-4, 5.17)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Fresh off a week of rest, the UAB baseball team returns to Young Memorial Field this weekend for a three-game set against Charlotte.
Friday's series opener is slated for a 4 p.m. start time. Saturday's game is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the series closes Sunday at 1 p.m.
Live stats and live video will be available for all three games. Information to that can be accessed at UABSports.com or in the links above.
Leading Off
- With four weekends left in the regular season, UAB returns home for the first of two-straight in Birmingham to host Charlotte. It will be the 49ers' first trip to Birmingham since the 2005 campaign.
- The Blazers are well-rested, coming off their first week with no midweek games for the first time since the beginning of March. UAB was off this week as players finished up finals for the 2014-15 academic year.
- UAB is looking to defend its 5-1 record at Young Memorial Field and 13-6 home record overall entering the weekend.
- The Blazers currently sit in a tie for fourth with UTSA (who they don't face this season) heading into the matchup vs. Charlotte. Middle Tennessee (14-4), Florida Atlantic (13-5) and Rice (14-7) lead the pack, while the fourth through eighth place teams are neck-and-neck with 12 league games remaining.
- Catcher Esteban Tresgallo has two home runs in his last four games at Young Memorial Field, and three of his last four hits have been long balls.
- RHP/DH Adam Lau was named to the 2015 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year watch list Wednesday, an award given annually to the nation's top player both on the mound and at the plate. He is one of 36 players nationwide to earn the honor.
- UAB turns 1.13 double plays per game, which ranks No. 6 in the NCAA, and the Blazers are 11th overall with 43 double plays. UAB is also second in C-USA and 50th in the nation in fielding percentage (.973).
- The Blazers have had the most success this season in series openers with an 8-2 mark in the first game of a series. UAB is 7-1 on Fridays, 8-5 in Saturday games and 4-5 on Sundays.
Series History
UAB has won five in a row vs. the 49ers, as the two teams will be meeting for the 48th, 49th and 50th times in this weekend's C-USA series. The Blazers hold the all-time advantage, 28-19, in a series that dates back to 1979. The Green and Gold swept Charlotte by scores of 6-2, 12-2 and 3-1 last season in North Carolina, and will be facing the 49ers in Birmingham for the first time since the 2005 campaign.
Scouting The Opponent
Charlotte was picked to finish 11th in C-USA according to the preseason poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches. The 49ers enter the weekend as one of the three bottom teams in the league at 7-14 on the year with a 13-21 overall record. The club has lost six-straight and eight of their last 10 heading into Birmingham.
Charlotte is 4-5 in league games on the road so far this season, as the 49ers are coming off five-straight at home, where they were swept by Middle Tennessee. The Niners took 2-of-3 from Old Dominion in early April on the road, and swept Louisiana Tech at home earlier in the year.
Three Charlotte hitters are batting over .300 entering the weekend, led by Brad Elwood and Danny Raley's mark of .322. Zach Jarrett has the team lead in RBI and home runs with five long balls and 20 runs driven in. As a team the 49ers only have 15 stolen bases, led by Luke Gibbs' 4-for-5 mark on the base paths.
Charlotte has a 5.71 team ERA, led by its Friday night starter, Sean Geoghegan's 2.87 ERA in 59.2 IP. He's allowed just 19 earned runs with 41 strikeouts in nine starts this year. J.D. Prochaska is Saturday's projected starter, with a 3-2 record and 5.40 ERA, while Josh Maciejewski (2-4, 5.17) will start Sunday. Brandon Vogler is the top reliever out of the pen with a 3.44 ERA in 36.2 IP this season.
Weekend Promotions
Family Fridays: Every home Friday Blazer baseball game a family of four (two adults, two children) can purchase a discounted ticket package for $10 at Young Memorial Field.
Kids' Days: Every Sunday free admission for children eighth grade and under with a paid adult.
Church Bulletin Days: Every Sunday admission is $1 with a current church bulletin.
Blaze's Birthday: UAB's mascot, Blaze, is inviting all of his friends to join him as he celebrates his birthday, which will include fun activities and treats for the kids, inflatables and much more.
Looking Ahead
The Blazers face Samford twice next week during the week, at home vs. the Bulldogs at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night at Regions Field, and at Samford Wednesday. Tuesday's game is tabbed as the City of Birmingham Night, as fans are encouraged to join UAB and the city for a local rivalry game.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official Twitter account of UAB Athletics (@UABAthletics).
