The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Diamond Cuts: Infield and Catchers
2/7/2023 4:50:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM – With only eleven days out, take a dive into the guys who will be protecting the infield and behind the plate for the UAB Blazers this season.
Head coach Casey Dunn's 2022 infield rotation finished the season with a fielding percentage of .961 which included six returners for 2023 season who will look to build on that number.
The fall and preseason was filled with a lot of competition in the infield. Led by "the rock of the group" – John Marc Mullins – UAB will have familiar faces around the bases. Returners Christian Hall, Brandon Willoughby, Gavin Lewis Jr., David Harris and Ben Abernathy welcome in transfers Blayze Berry, Mayes White and Austin Young.
First Base:
Brandon Willoughby and Christian Hall will both be seen in the lineup either at first base or as the designated hitter. "[Brandon Willoughby] is a good defender at first and [Christian Hall] has really worked hard to learn the position and has improved around the bag," said Coach Dunn.
Hall appeared in 53 games with 50 starts as the designated hitter last season whereas Willoughby appeared and started in 54 games at third base. When UAB plays more offensively, Willoughby could be back on the other side of the diamond.
Second Base:
John Marc Mullins who led the team in multi-hit games (20), walks drawn (35), steals (13) and sacrifice bunts (5) will continue to stay at second during 2023. Coach Dunn states, "He continues to improve and will be a mainstay at second base this year."
Mullins collected 128 assists and 101 putouts earning a .966 fielding percentage. Offensively posted the second highest batting average (.318) on the team and lead the team in hits (71) and doubles (13).
Shortstop:
"[Gavin Lewis Jr.] won the job at shortstop with a strong fall and will get the opening day nod," said Coach Dunn. Lewis' range and speed can impact the game for the Blazers. Last season, he went 1-2 in stolen bases and recorded 16 assists and nine putouts after appearing in 25 games.
Entering his first season with UAB, transfer Mayes White will get a chance to see some action this spring although he lost time leading up to the season after being injured in the fall.
Third Base:
Third base will see a rotation of players depending on the situation, but Ben Abernathy can be seen starting in this spot at the beginning of the season. "He is a shortstop type player that can really defend his position," said Coach Dunn. Abernathy has a chance to be a "table setter at the top of the order" offensively and could be called upon to pitch this year which will "open the door for another guy to get ready."
The other guys who you could see over at third are transfer Blayze Berry and senior Brandon Willoughby.
Utility Players:
Many Blazers can be seen moving around the bases like Willoughby, Abernathy and Berry; however, David Harris and Austin Young are two "versatile infielders." Coach Dunn stated, "These guys give us dependable utility players as we enter the season." After not seeing any action in 2022 due to a torn ACL, Harris will get the chance in 2023 after a having a healthy recovery.
Catchers:
In the catcher position, the Blazers welcome newcomers Nick Hollifield and Fabian Amaro who will be joining sophomore Henry Hunter.
In 2022, Hunter caught 17 runners stealing and recorded a fielding percentage of .981 and will return behind the plate as the everyday starter. Offensively, Hunter tied for fourth on the team in batting average (.286) and collected 38 hits, three doubles, two triples and six home runs.
"He is an exceptional leader and sets a great example for our younger guys," said Coach Dunn.
Hollifield and Amaro are two of those younger guys. Hollifield will be the number two catcher. "He has done a good job handling our guys in scrimmages and assuming the duties of catching," said Coach Dunn. Amaro will be the solid third option and Coach Dunn is looking forward to watching his growth this season.
2022 STATS
JOHN MAC MULLINS | GR | S/R | 6'1"
CHRISTIAN HALL | SR | L/L | 6'2"
BRANDON WILLOUGHBY | SR | R/R | 6'0"
HENRY HUNTER | SO | L/R | 6'1"
GAVIN LEWIS | SO | R/R | 6'0"
DAVID HARRIS | R-SO | L/R | 5'11"
BEN ABERNATHY | JR | R/R | 5'9"
BLAYZE BERRY | JR | R/R | 5'9"
MAYES WHITE | SO | R/R | 5'10"
NICK HOLLIFIELD | FR | R/R | 5'10"
Hometown: Winder, Ga.
High School: Mill Creek
FABIAN AMARO | FR | R/R | 5'7"
Hometown: Las Piedras, Puerto Rico
High School: Timber Creek
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023 season are available through purchasing the 2022-23 Gold Card starting at $65. Fans can purchase the Gold Card by clicking here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
10 GAME MINI PLAN
The UAB Athletics Ticket Office is also offering a 10-game mini plan where fans can choose any 10 home games, including games at Regions Field, for $40. To purchase the mini plan, click here.
GROUP TICKET PACKAGES AND FAN EXPERIENCES
UAB Baseball group ticket packages and fan experiences are available for purchasing through UAB Athletics Marketing, sportspromo@uab.edu.
The Blazers start the 2023 season in Mobile, Ala. at the South Alabama Tournament on Feb. 17 against Eastern Kentucky at 12 P.M.
For more information on UAB Baseball, follow @UAB_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram.
Head coach Casey Dunn's 2022 infield rotation finished the season with a fielding percentage of .961 which included six returners for 2023 season who will look to build on that number.
The fall and preseason was filled with a lot of competition in the infield. Led by "the rock of the group" – John Marc Mullins – UAB will have familiar faces around the bases. Returners Christian Hall, Brandon Willoughby, Gavin Lewis Jr., David Harris and Ben Abernathy welcome in transfers Blayze Berry, Mayes White and Austin Young.
First Base:
Brandon Willoughby and Christian Hall will both be seen in the lineup either at first base or as the designated hitter. "[Brandon Willoughby] is a good defender at first and [Christian Hall] has really worked hard to learn the position and has improved around the bag," said Coach Dunn.
Hall appeared in 53 games with 50 starts as the designated hitter last season whereas Willoughby appeared and started in 54 games at third base. When UAB plays more offensively, Willoughby could be back on the other side of the diamond.
Second Base:
John Marc Mullins who led the team in multi-hit games (20), walks drawn (35), steals (13) and sacrifice bunts (5) will continue to stay at second during 2023. Coach Dunn states, "He continues to improve and will be a mainstay at second base this year."
Mullins collected 128 assists and 101 putouts earning a .966 fielding percentage. Offensively posted the second highest batting average (.318) on the team and lead the team in hits (71) and doubles (13).
Shortstop:
"[Gavin Lewis Jr.] won the job at shortstop with a strong fall and will get the opening day nod," said Coach Dunn. Lewis' range and speed can impact the game for the Blazers. Last season, he went 1-2 in stolen bases and recorded 16 assists and nine putouts after appearing in 25 games.
Entering his first season with UAB, transfer Mayes White will get a chance to see some action this spring although he lost time leading up to the season after being injured in the fall.
Third Base:
Third base will see a rotation of players depending on the situation, but Ben Abernathy can be seen starting in this spot at the beginning of the season. "He is a shortstop type player that can really defend his position," said Coach Dunn. Abernathy has a chance to be a "table setter at the top of the order" offensively and could be called upon to pitch this year which will "open the door for another guy to get ready."
The other guys who you could see over at third are transfer Blayze Berry and senior Brandon Willoughby.
Utility Players:
Many Blazers can be seen moving around the bases like Willoughby, Abernathy and Berry; however, David Harris and Austin Young are two "versatile infielders." Coach Dunn stated, "These guys give us dependable utility players as we enter the season." After not seeing any action in 2022 due to a torn ACL, Harris will get the chance in 2023 after a having a healthy recovery.
Catchers:
In the catcher position, the Blazers welcome newcomers Nick Hollifield and Fabian Amaro who will be joining sophomore Henry Hunter.
In 2022, Hunter caught 17 runners stealing and recorded a fielding percentage of .981 and will return behind the plate as the everyday starter. Offensively, Hunter tied for fourth on the team in batting average (.286) and collected 38 hits, three doubles, two triples and six home runs.
"He is an exceptional leader and sets a great example for our younger guys," said Coach Dunn.
Hollifield and Amaro are two of those younger guys. Hollifield will be the number two catcher. "He has done a good job handling our guys in scrimmages and assuming the duties of catching," said Coach Dunn. Amaro will be the solid third option and Coach Dunn is looking forward to watching his growth this season.
2022 STATS
JOHN MAC MULLINS | GR | S/R | 6'1"
| .AVG | GP-PS | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | BB | HR | RBI | TB |
| .318 | 56-56 | 223 | 54 | 71 | 13 | 1 | 35 | 4 | 21 | 98 |
CHRISTIAN HALL | SR | L/L | 6'2"
| .AVG | GP-PS | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | BB | HR | RBI | TB |
| .370 | 53-50 | 189 | 38 | 70 | 9 | 2 | 26 | 11 | 48 | 116 |
BRANDON WILLOUGHBY | SR | R/R | 6'0"
| .AVG | GP-PS | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | BB | HR | RBI | TB |
| .257 | 54-54 | 191 | 28 | 49 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 25 | 64 |
HENRY HUNTER | SO | L/R | 6'1"
| .AVG | GP-PS | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | BB | HR | RBI | TB |
| .286 | 46-40 | 133 | 28 | 38 | 3 | 2 | 25 | 6 | 14 | 63 |
GAVIN LEWIS | SO | R/R | 6'0"
| .AVG | GP-PS | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | BB | HR | RBI | TB |
| .154 | 25-5 | 26 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
DAVID HARRIS | R-SO | L/R | 5'11"
- Did not appear in any games
BEN ABERNATHY | JR | R/R | 5'9"
| .AVG | GP-PS | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | BB | HR | RBI | TB | ||||||
| .239 | 39-31 | 117 | 20 | 28 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 16 | 34 | ||||||
| ERA | W-L | IP | SO | BB | |
| 2.70 | 2-0 | 10 | 9 | 2 | |
BLAYZE BERRY | JR | R/R | 5'9"
| .AVG | GP-PS | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | SB | HR | RBI |
| .333 | 47 | 67 | 41 | 57 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 7 | 37 |
| ERA | W-L | IP | SO | R | H | BB |
| 2.75 | 7-1 | 68.2 | 60 | 23 | 54 | 11 |
MAYES WHITE | SO | R/R | 5'10"
- Played in five games, drawing two walks
- Played in 39 games
- With 117 at bats, drew 31 runs, 35 hits, six doubles, three triples, 23 RBIs, 11 walks and two stolen bases
NICK HOLLIFIELD | FR | R/R | 5'10"
Hometown: Winder, Ga.
High School: Mill Creek
FABIAN AMARO | FR | R/R | 5'7"
Hometown: Las Piedras, Puerto Rico
High School: Timber Creek
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023 season are available through purchasing the 2022-23 Gold Card starting at $65. Fans can purchase the Gold Card by clicking here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
10 GAME MINI PLAN
The UAB Athletics Ticket Office is also offering a 10-game mini plan where fans can choose any 10 home games, including games at Regions Field, for $40. To purchase the mini plan, click here.
GROUP TICKET PACKAGES AND FAN EXPERIENCES
UAB Baseball group ticket packages and fan experiences are available for purchasing through UAB Athletics Marketing, sportspromo@uab.edu.
The Blazers start the 2023 season in Mobile, Ala. at the South Alabama Tournament on Feb. 17 against Eastern Kentucky at 12 P.M.
For more information on UAB Baseball, follow @UAB_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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