The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Baseball Travels to Tuscaloosa Tuesday
4/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB baseball team wraps up its two-game season series with Alabama Tuesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.
The Blazers (12-20, 4-8 C-USA) are 1-0 on the year against the Crimson Tide (19-13, 6-6 SEC), claiming an 8-0, shutout victory at Regions Field on March 22 while the Tide was ranked 22nd in the nation. This game marks the 67th time the two programs have met. Alabama holds the all-time series record at 43-23.
UAB picked up its second win over a ranked team over the weekend, defeating No. 25 Rice in Houston on Saturday. Despite dropping the series, the Green and Gold outplayed the Owls 6-2 at Reckling Park.
Redshirt freshman Brewer Hicklen had a tremendous week at the plate for the Blazers, batting .500 in four starts. The outfielder was 8-for-16, totaling two extra-base hits and four RBIs. Hicklen was riding a seven-game hitting streak before going 0-for-4 in Sunday’s game. He now leads the UAB with a .302 overall average and 25 hits this season.
Senior left-hander Stephen Baggett is scheduled to start for the Blazers against the Crimson Tide. Despite an 0-2 record, the lefty was nearly untouchable in his appearance against Alabama last month. He tossed three innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out three. He was just one inning away from earning a save in the contest.
Chance Vincent continues to lead the Alabama roster with a .316 average, 36 hits and 20 RBIs. The senior infielder was the lone Tide batter to collect multiple hits against the Blazers in their game at Regions Field. He was 2-for-4 with hits against Adam Lamar and Kyle Davis.
Right-hander Jake Hubbard is set to start for Alabama, making just his second start of the year. The senior is 1-0 in two appearances, tossing a combined six innings. Despite his lack of time on the hill, he has been part of one shutout and is holding opposing batters to a .190 average.
“The Voice of the Blazers” David Crane will have the call from Tuscaloosa, broadcasting on WAPI-AM 1070. Airtime is 6:25 p.m. The game also airs on the SEC Network+ with Mick Gillispie on the play-by-play call and former big-leaguer Lance Cormier providing analysis.
Following the midweek game, the Blazers return to Young Memorial Field to host Southern Miss for a three-game series beginning Friday.
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 social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
