The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Begin 2017 Versus Creighton
2/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB baseball team opens its 2017 season on Friday night with the start of a three-game series versus Creighton. The Blazers host the Bluejays at Regions Field in downtown Birmingham, Ala., with first pitch coming at 4:00 p.m. on Friday and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
“We have to define roles and see as time plays out how we’re going to match with other teams Friday guys,” said head coach Brian Shoop, who enters his 11th year in charge of the program. “Offensively, we have speed, athleticism, character, work ethic. This is a team that loves each other and has a good chemistry.”
HOW TO FOLLOW
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Weekend Rotation
FRI | Garrett Whitlock (RHP, So., 4-5, 3.00 ERA) vs. Rollie Lacy (RHP, Jr., 9-2, 3.15 ERA)
SAT | Ryan Ruggles (LHP, Jr. 6-4, 4.18 ERA) vs. Keith Rogalla (RHP, Jr., 5-3, 3.21 ERA)
SUN | TBA vs. Jeff Albrecht (LHP, Sr., 7-1, 2.39 ERA)
QUICK RECAP – LAST SEASON
UAB dealt with its share of bumps and bruises last season. It entered the year having to replace former All-Conference USA pitchers Chase Mallard and James Naile in addition to dealing with its fair share of injuries. The Blazers still featured multiple bright spots and were competitive throughout the season picking up wins Alabama and NCAA Tournament participants Ohio State, Rice, Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech. They posted a 21-34 record but were 3-11 in one-run games. The likes of Brewer Hicklen and Carter Pharis each return after having superb freshman seasons for the Green & Gold. The two started all 55 games while Hicklen garnered Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors, just the 14th player in program history to receive that nod. Hicklen paired with Riley McCown in the outfield. They combined for just two errors in 233 chances. The pitching staff comes back nearly full intact and features a number of talented arms. Every starter to receive 10-or-more starts last season returns and over 90 percent of last year’s innings return including closer Thomas Lowery. The senior had eight saves, the most for a Blazer in a single-season since 2012.
LOCKED IN
Garrett Whitlock will receive the ball on Friday night for the Blazers opener. The sophomore right-hander is making just his second career start. He that pitched well across 25 games last season, posting a 3.00 ERA and 4-5 record with 46 strikeouts over 51 innings. He will look to build upon the momentum built at the end of last season, as he allowed just one run over his final three appearances (5.2 innings). Whitlock was rated the sixth-best prospect and third-best pitching prospect in Conference USA by D1baseball.com entering the year.
HOME COOKIN
UAB enjoys the benefit of being able to call two parks home. The Blazers play the majority of their home games at Regions Field, the ballpark of the AA Birmingham Barons, since beginning play there in 2014. The rest of their home games come at the campus field, Young Memorial Field. The Blazers have had a winning record at home each of the last three seasons, posting a record of 54-34 at Regions and Young combined. They have been particular strong at Regions since beginning play their, with a 33-17 record at the minor league ballpark. UAB opened 2014 by winning its first nine games played at Regions.
SCOUTING CREIGHTON
The Bluejays strength will come on the mound as they return their entire weekend rotation from last season. Rollie Lacy (9-2, 3.15 ERA), Keith Rogalla (5-3, 3.21 ERA), and Jeff Albrecht (7-1, 2.39 ERA) are a strong trio to along with senior closer David Gerber (11 saves, 1.50 ERA). Overall, Creighton held a 3.15 ERA a season ago, the lowest mark in the Big East.
Creighton is looking for a bat to step up after scoring the third fewest runs in the conference last season. Two of the Bluejays top hitters from last season went in the first 13 rounds of the MLB Draft. Their projected opening day line-up has only three players that played last season, none of which hit above a .240 clip.
SERIES HISTORY
These two teams first played last season in Omaha, Neb., as Creighton took all three games in the season. It was a closely-played series, with all three games being decided by two-or-fewer runs. The Bluejays outscored the Blazers 9-5 over the three days.
