The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Baseball Hosts Southern Miss, Gallichio Hitting Facility Dedicated Saturday
4/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB baseball team continues its Conference USA slate with a three-game series against No. 18 Southern Miss at Young Memorial Field. The weekend is highlighted by the dedication of the Gallichio Hitting Facility on Saturday.
Prior to Saturday’s first pitch, UAB’s Department of Athletics will dedicate the baseball team’s hitting facility. Long-time generous supporters of UAB Athletics, Dr. Michael Gallichio and Kathleen Gallichio, will be recognized with a pregame ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. Dr. Gallichio will also throw out the ceremonial first pitch preceding Saturday’s 2 p.m. start.
The Blazers (12-21, 4-8 C-USA) are coming off a narrow defeat at the hands of the Alabama Crimson Tide, falling 7-6 in Tuscaloosa Tuesday night. The Green and Gold was 1-2 in Houston, Texas, one weekend ago, claiming a 6-2 Saturday win over No. 25 Rice at Reckling Park.
Redshirt freshman Brewer Hicklen leads the UAB offense with a .303 average, going on a hitting tear as of lately. The outfielder was 1-for-3 with two stolen bases at Alabama, and has been held hitless in just one of his past nine games. He is batting a whopping .474 with nine hits in his last five games.
Freshman right-hander Tanner Graham gets the start for the Blazers Friday, followed by left-hander Ryan Ruggles on Saturday. Sunday’s starter has not yet been announced. Graham is 1-4 in eight starts during his first collegiate season, going into Friday’s game looking to improve on a 4.98 ERA. Ruggles is 4-2 with a 2.31 ERA in eight starts, as well.
The ranked Eagles are led at the plate by seven batting above the .300 mark. Senior in fielder Tim Lynch is hitting a team-best .394 in 34 starts, totaling a team-high 40 RBI while slugging six homers. As a team, Southern Miss is hitting .322.
The Eagles look to right-handers Cord Cockrell on Friday and Nick Johnson on Saturday to take the hill. Lefty Kirk McCarty is scheduled to start on the mound Sunday.
“The Voice of the Blazers” David Crane will have the call on WAPI-AM 1070 for the Saturday and Sunday games. Airtime is 1:50 p.m. Saturday and 12:50 p.m. on Sunday.
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).
