The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Middle Tennessee
Head Launches Three Home Runs as Blazers Handle Middle Tennessee
3/6/2026 6:38:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Baseball put on a hitting clinic once again as the Blazers (8-6) powered their way past Middle Tennessee on Friday, 12-2 in eight innings. John Paul Head hit three of UAB's five home runs on the day as UAB increased its American Conference-leading total to 26 home runs in 14 games.
The Green and Gold started out the game with back-to-back home runs by Alex Dupuy and John Paul Head. It is the second time this season the Blazers have hit back-to-back homers.
MTSU would get a run back in the top half of the second inning. After a two-out walk and a wild pitch, Cooper Clapp singled to left field to score Brett Vondohlen to cut the UAB lead to 2-1.
UAB put up a crooked number in their next at bat as it put up four more runs. After a leadoff walk and a bunt single, Alex Dupuy continued his hot hitting as he singled to score Austin Pierzynski. Baylor Roberts scored on the same play courtesy of an MTSU error which gave the Blazers a 4-1 lead. The next batter was Head who smoked his second home run in as many innings to give UAB a 6-1 advantage.
The Blue Raiders would add one more in the top of the fourth inning. MTSU recorded back-to-back singles to start the inning. After a pickoff of the trail runner, the Blue Raiders had a runner on third with one out. Nathan Brewer brought home Brett Rogers on an RBI groundout to trim the UAB lead to 6-2.
The Blazers scored in all three of the middle frames of the game beginning in their half of the fourth inning. Head was hit, stole second, and advanced to third on a balk. Landon Beaver drove him in on a sac fly to left to put UAB up, 7-2.
UAB added a single tally in the bottom of the fifth inning. Max Price led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on Baylor Roberts' second bunt single of the game. Alex Dupuy recorded his third hit of the game when he singled in Price from third to put the Blazers up, 8-2.
Two more runs came across for UAB in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and a runner on, Wesley Helms launched his third home run of the season for a 2-run shot which scored Andrew Hunt and added to the Blazer lead.
As the Green and Gold approached run-rule territory, John Paul Head ripped his third home run of the game, all over the right field wall, to put UAB up, 11-2. Four batters later, with runners on the corners, Landon Beaver scored the game-clinching run on a wild pitch to secure the 12-2 win for UAB.
NOTES
- John Paul Head is the fourth Blazer all-time with three home runs in a game, joining Shayne Carnes (1998), Jeff Bell (1996), and Hector Villanueva (1984) as the only others in school history to accomplish the feat.
- Head and Alex Dupuy each had three hits in the game. Dupuy now has back-to-back three-hit games and has recorded a multi-hit game in six of his last seven games.
- Head also tied his career-high with four RBI and set his career-high with four runs scored.
- Baylor Roberts and Austin Pierzynski also recorded multi-hit games. Roberts tallied his third while Pierzynski recorded his second.
- Wesley Helms' two-run home run solidified his second multi-RBI game of the season.
- All nine Blazer hitters reached base safely at least once. Six hitters reached base multiple times.
- Mason Steele picked up a quality start on the mound as the junior right-hander went six innings, struck out three, and allowed two runs for his first win of the season. Steele's 6.0 innings pitched is his season-high and the longest outing for a UAB starting pitcher so far this season.
- Brendan Conner tossed the final 2.0 innings and held MTSU scoreless through those two frames. Conner has not allowed a run in the last 7.1 innings.
Due to impending inclement weather, this weekend's series has been altered. UAB and Middle Tennessee will now play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., with game two starting 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one. There will be no ESPN+ broadcast of either game tomorrow.
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.
