The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Middle Tennessee
UAB Baseball Hosts Middle Tennessee This Weekend
3/5/2026 3:14:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM – One of the longest tenured and most played rivalries in school history begins a new chapter this weekend as UAB (7-6) hosts Middle Tennessee (9-4) for three games at Young Memorial Field. The two teams first met in 1980 and have played 95 times since the inception of the rivalry.
Who: UAB (7-6) vs. Middle Tennessee (9-4)
Where: Young Memorial Field – Birmingham, Alabama
Watch: ESPN+ (Friday only)
On The Call: Blake Gardner
Series: MTSU leads, 48-47
In Birmingham: UAB leads, 28-19
Last Meeting: March 16, 2025 (MTSU won, 3-1)
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Friday (2 p.m.)
Probable Starters
UAB: Mason Steele (0-1, 6.43 ERA), RHP, Junior
Middle Tennessee: Gavin King (1-1, 4.22 ERA), RHP, Sophomore
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Saturday (1 p.m.)
Probable Starters
UAB: Braxton Shelton (0-1, 8.71 ERA), RHP, Senior
Middle Tennessee: Chandler Alderman (1-0, 3.09 ERA), LHP, Junior
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Sunday (1 p.m.)
Probable Starters
UAB: Chase Ingram (1-2, 5.65 ERA), RHP, Senior
Middle Tennessee: David Horn Jr. (1-2, 9.00 ERA), RHP, Senior
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
SCOUTING THE BLUE RAIDERS
Middle Tennessee owns the third-best overall record in Conference USA early in the season. The Blue Raiders have the conference's second-best batting average (.298), second-most runs scored (110), and second-most home runs (20). Additionally, they are the conference leaders in ERA (2.75) and have the third-fewest hits allowed (93), runs scored (52), home runs allowed (8), and batting average against (.224) in the league. Dean O'Neill has the second-most hits (20) and home runs (5) in CUSA. Drew Horn has stood out as one of the top arms in the conference with a 1.38 ERA in 13.0 innings.
THINGS TO KNOW
- This weekend marks the first time the two schools have met in Birmingham since the 2022 season when the Blazers and Blue Raiders were CUSA rivals.
- UAB remains the leaders in the American Conference with 21 home runs. Additionally, the Blazers are tied for second in The American with 71 walks and third in the league in stolen bases (23) and fielding percentage (.978).
- Alex Dupuy is 10-for-21 across his last five games with five doubles and five RBI.
- In his last two starts, Braxton Shelton has not allowed an earned run through his last 8.1 innings.
- True freshmen Christian Helmers and Carter Samuelson have earned significant time on the mound since joining the team. Helmers leads the team with 18 strikeouts through 12.2 innings while Samuelson has the lowest batting average against (min. 10.0 innings pitched) (.205).
- The Green and Gold are tied for the league lead with three hitters in the top 25 in the conference in hits. Kevin Hall Jr. (16), Alex Dupuy (16), and Andrew Hunt (14) are all among the leaders in the American Conference.
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.
