The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Florida
UAB Opens 2026 Campaign at 13th Ranked Florida
2/12/2026 1:20:00 PM | Baseball
GAINESVILLE, FL – UAB Baseball begins its 2026 season on the road as the Blazers travel to SEC country to take on the 13th ranked Florida Gators in Gainesville. All games on the weekend will be streamed live on SEC Network + on the ESPN app.
Who: UAB (0-0) at #13 Florida (0-0)
Where: Condron Family Ballpark – Gainesville, Florida
Watch: SEC Network +
On The Call: Sean Kelley (PxP) and Nick Belmonte (Analyst)
Series: Florida leads, 2-0
In Gainesville: Florida leads, 2-0
Last Meeting: March 23, 1987 (Florida won, 9-7)
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Friday (5:30 p.m. CT)
Probable Starters
UAB: Mason Steele (0-0, 0.00 ERA), RHP, Junior
Florida: Liam Peterson (0-0, 0.00 ERA), RHP, Junior
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: SEC Network +
Saturday (5:00 p.m. CT)
Probable Starters
UAB: Braxton Shelton (0-0, 0.00 ERA), RHP, Senior
Florida: Aidan King (0-0, 0.00 ERA), RHP, Sophomore
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: SEC Network +
Sunday (12:00 p.m. CT)
Probable Starters
UAB: Chase Ingram (0-0, 0.00 ERA), RHP, Senior
Florida: Cooper Walls (0-0, 0.00 ERA), RHP, Sophomore
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: SEC Network +
SCOUTING THE GATORS
Kevin O'Sullivan's Gators are picked seventh in a talented Southeastern Conference. Florida's Friday night starting pitcher, Liam Peterson, is a projected top-15 overall selection in July's MLB Draft. On Saturday, the Gators will start Aidan King, who is a top-10 college prospect in the 2027 MLB Draft. Peterson and reliever Luke McNeillie were First Team selections in last week's SEC Preseason Coaches Poll. Third baseman Brendan Lawson was tabbed to the Second Team.
THINGS TO KNOW
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UAB opens the season against a Power 4 opponent for the first time since 2022 (Northwestern).
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The Blazers hit the road to face a Power 4 school to open the season for the first time since UAB traveled to Clemson in 2012.
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This weekend marks the first time the Green and Gold have faced an SEC foe since they played Mississippi State to open the 2010 season.
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The last weekend series UAB played against an SEC team was against Ole Miss in 2019.
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UAB welcomes nine junior college players to the 2026 roster. Mason Steele (Shelton State), Drew Thompson (North Central Texas College), Konner Keplinger (Shelton State), Drake Douglas (Northeast Mississippi), Alex Dupuy (LSU Eunice), Brady Waugh (Shelton State), Max Price (Glendale [CA]), Josh Holley (Southern Union), and Andrew Prejean (Meridian) join four other players on the roster coming from junior college.
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Head Coach Casey Dunn enters the 2026 season two wins away from 100 career wins. Dunn is the active leader in wins in the American Conference (634).
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UAB will play four SEC teams this season. The Blazers will play Auburn and Alabama twice, and will travel to Mississippi State after opening the season at Florida in 2026. The Green and Gold swept the season series from Auburn in 2025 for their first season series sweep over the Tigers in 45 years.
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A total of 19 newcomers join the team in 2026. Among the newcomers, three are 4-year transfers, 10 come from the junior college ranks, and six are true freshmen.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB Baseball team, follow @UAB_Baseball on X and Instagram.
SPORT GIFT ACCOUNTS
There are numerous ways to support UAB Athletics in our efforts to improve the Blazer student athlete experience. Sport gift accounts directly impact operational support to our teams in resourcing them with a more competitive edge in the American Conference. Follow the link or connect with the Blazer Boosters team on how you can continue to fuel success.
2025-26 GOLD CARD
The 2025-26 Gold Card is on sale. The 2025-26 Gold Card will get you access to all home events for Women's Soccer, Men's Soccer, Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (Regions Field & Young Memorial Field). This card is not valid for American Conference or NCAA Championship events.
