The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Baseball Hosts MTSU Beginning Friday
4/21/2016 12:00:00β―AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - After taking two games from No. 18 Southern Miss last weekend at Young Memorial Field, the UAB baseball team returns to its home turf to host Conference USA foe Middle Tennessee for a three-game series beginning Friday.
Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm., and the third annual Bark in the Park highlights Saturday's 2 p.m. start. Man's best friend is invited to enjoy America's favorite past time at no extra charge, and representatives will be accepting donations of gently used pet supplies (leashes, bedding, toys, etc.) to be donated to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. The weekend wraps up Sunday with a 1 p.m. first pitch.
The Blazers (14-22, 6-9 C-USA) enter the series in a three-way tie for seventh in the C-USA standings. UAB is led at the plate by freshman Carter Pharis, batting .287 and a team-high .327 in league play. The first baseman is 8-for-18 in his last five games, hitting .444 with five RBIs. He roped a game-tying double at Alabama last Tuesday, and had a game-winning single to lead the Blazers to an 8-7 victory over Southern Miss last Saturday.
Freshman pitcher Tanner Graham is scheduled to start Friday's game, and lefty Ryan Ruggles will throw for the Blazers Saturday. Graham is looking for his first win in conference play, holding an 0-2 record with a 5.40 ERA. Graham had a strong start against Southern Miss last Friday, yielding just one earned run over 5.1 innings of work, but walked away with no decision. Sunday's starter has yet to be announced.
The Blue Raiders (16-22, 4-11 C-USA) took two of three from Charlotte last weekend, but suffered midweek losses to Tennessee and Tennessee Tech over the past couple of days. Infielder Riley Delgado provides the offense for MT, batting a team-leading .411 through all 38 games. The junior has eight doubles to go along with 60 hits, and is 3-for-6 in stolen base attempts.
Middle Tennessee will throw left-hander Tyler Troutt Friday, followed by fellow lefty Jake Wyrick on Saturday. Wyrick leads the staff with a 3-3 record and 3.49 ERA. He has given up just three extra-base hits and struck out 37 batters.
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).
