The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
South Florida
UAB Heads to Tampa for Battle with the Bulls
4/16/2026 3:05:00 PM | Baseball
TAMPA, FL – UAB Baseball travels to the state of Florida for the third time this season. This time, the Blazers will head to Tampa for a 3-game series with South Florida. All three games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Who: UAB (23-14, 8-4 - American) at South Florida (26-10, 6-6 - American)
Where: USF Baseball Stadium – Tampa, Florida
Watch: ESPN+
On The Call: Jim Louk (PxP)
Series: South Florida leads, 60-37
In Tampa: South Florida leads, 34-13
Last Meeting: March 23, 2025 (South Florida won, 9-7)
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Friday (5:30 p.m. CT)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Saturday (1:00 p.m. CT)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Sunday (11:00 a.m. CT)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
SCOUTING THE BULLS
USF is coming fresh off a win at Miami (FL) on Wednesday night. The Bulls carry one of the best overall records in The American coming in at 26-10 overall. South Florida's pitching staff ranks as one of the best in the league, leading the conference in ERA (3.64), hits allowed (258), runs allowed (144), walks allowed (121), opponent batting average (.225), and saves (12). Michael Senay leads the conference with a 2.20 ERA and six wins. Senay is also second in the league in opponent batting average (.202), one spot ahead of UAB's Mason Steele. Among common opponents, USF defeated Jacksonville twice, 11-6 on March 9 and 13-3 on March 17. Along with a victory over Miami (FL), the Bulls also took down UCF in two of three games this season. This weekend's matchup has the potential to be busy on the base paths as both teams have stolen 65+ bases this season with both teams ranking in the top-3 of The American in that category. The Blazers and Bulls are sixth and seventh in their 12 conference games with .271 and .268 batting average, respectively. However, the Bulls are second-worst in the league scoring 59 runs in American Conference play. USF has 27 doubles which leads the conference in that same span.
THINGS TO KNOW
- By the end of the weekend, the Blazers and Bulls will have faced off 100 times on the diamond. The series is the second-longest in UAB history behind the rivalry against Southern Miss (114 games).
- The two teams have split the six games in the series since UAB joined The American.
- UAB makes its third trip to the state of Florida this season. The Blazers traveled to Gainesville to open the season and swept Florida Atlantic two weeks ago. Overall, the Green and Gold are 6-3 against teams from The Sunshine State which includes a series win against Jacksonville in Birmingham.
- Wesley Helms carries a 24-game on-base streak into the weekend. The streak is the fifth-longest in the program in the last five seasons.
- In conference play, Helms leads the team with a .381 batting average with 21 total bases and 16 hits across 12 games played.
- The Blazers remain in the American Conference lead with 52 home runs this season. UAB is two home runs away from tying the BBCOR era school record of 54 home runs set back in 2022, Casey Dunn's first season with the program.
- Braxton Shelton picked up his 100th career strikeout on Tuesday against Alabama. Kevin Hall Jr. is six hits away from 100 career hits.
- The Green and Gold are 6-7 away from home this season.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
To keep up with UAB Baseball, follow @UAB_Baseball on Instagram and X.
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