The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
31-24, 15-12
UTSA
36-19, 17-10
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAB | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 14 | 0 |
| UTSA | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 19 | 3 |
UAB Explodes for Historic 23-11 Win at UTSA
5/16/2026 3:36:00 PM | Baseball
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – UAB delivered one of the most explosive offensive performances in program history on Saturday afternoon, defeating UTSA 23-11 at Roadrunner Field to secure the No. 4 seed in the American Conference Tournament. The win also clinched the series, with the Blazers winning 2-out-of-3 against the two-time regular season champion Roadrunners.
UAB (31-24, 15-12 American Conference) scored the most runs against a conference opponent in program history and produced the highest combined-scoring American Conference game of the 2026 season with 34 total runs.
The Blazers' 23 runs were one shy of the program record for runs scored in a game, set in a 24-6 win over Alabama State in 2000, and marked the program's highest scoring output since defeating Belmont 23-8 on April 11, 2000.
With the victory, UAB clinched the No. 4 seed in the American Conference Championship at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. The Blazers will open tournament play on Thursday, May 21 against the winner of the No. 5 versus No. 8 seed matchup.
UAB scored in six different innings and erupted for a nine-run fifth inning that broke the game open. The Blazers finished with 23 runs on 14 hits while drawing 11 walks and blasting three home runs.
Wesley Helms and Brady Waugh powered the offense with six RBI apiece. Helms went 4-for-5 with four runs scored, a home run and a double, while Waugh finished 3-for-3 with six RBI, three runs scored, a home run and two walks. John Paul Head added a 3-for-5 performance with four runs scored, three RBI and his team-leading 20th home run of the season.
After UTSA (36-19, 17-10) answered UAB's two-run second inning with three runs of its own, the Blazers seized control with four runs in the third and three more in the fourth to build a 9-6 lead. UAB then exploded for nine runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by Head's three-run homer and Helms' three-run double.
Riley Miller earned the win in relief, tossing the final 2.2 innings and allowing just one run.
NOTES
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UAB's 23 runs were the most scored against a conference opponent in program history.
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The Blazers' 23 runs were one shy of the single-game program record of 24 set against Alabama State in 2000.
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UAB's 23 runs were its most in a game since defeating Belmont 23-8 on April 11, 2000.
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The 34 combined runs marked the highest combined-scoring American Conference game of the 2026 season.
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UAB finished the regular season with 80 home runs, the second-most in a single season in program history and one shy of the school record set in 1998.
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JP Head's 20 home runs are tied for the third-most in a single season in program history.
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UAB's 412 runs scored rank sixth-most in a single season in program history.
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Brady Waugh and Wesley Helms each drove in six runs.
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Helms finished with four hits, six RBI and four runs scored. He tied his career high for hits and set a new career high for RBI.
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Waugh also set new career highs for hits and RBI.
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UAB drew 11 walks and has now recorded 279 walks this season, ranking as the fourth-most in single-season program history.
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The Blazers recorded their 23rd multi-home run game of the season.
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UAB secured the No. 4 seed in the American Conference Championship and will play Thursday, May 21 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Miller, Riley (4-0)
L: Qualia, Jake (3-2)
Batting:
2B: Helms, Wesley 1 ; Dupuy, Alex 1 ; Beaver, Landon 1
HR: Helms, Wesley 1 ; Head, John Paul 1 ; Waugh, Brady 1
RBI: Hall Jr., Kevin 1 ; Helms, Wesley 6 ; Head, John Paul 3 ; Roberts, Baylor 1 ; Hunt, Andrew 2 ; Waugh, Brady 6 ; Beaver, Landon 1
SF: Roberts, Baylor 1 ; Waugh, Brady 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hall Jr., Kevin 2 ; Helms, Wesley 4 ; Head, John Paul 4 ; Dupuy, Alex 3 ; Roberts, Baylor 1 ; Hunt, Andrew 1 ; Pierzynski, Austin 1 ; Waugh, Brady 3 ; Beaver, Landon 4
SB: Roberts, Baylor 1 ; Beaver, Landon 1
HBP: Hunt, Andrew 1 ; Beaver, Landon 1
Batting:
2B: Miller, Caden 1 ; Diaz, Diego 1 ; Detlefsen, Drew 1 ; Eshelman, Aidan 1
HR: Ballin, Jordan 1 ; Diaz, Diego 1 ; Haworth, Lane 1
RBI: Ballin, Jordan 2 ; Miller, Caden 3 ; Diaz, Diego 2 ; Detlefsen, Drew 3 ; Haworth, Lane 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ballin, Jordan 2 ; Miller, Caden 1 ; Diaz, Diego 1 ; Bishop, Brandon 1 ; Eshelman, Aidan 2 ; Hallmark, Christian 1 ; Haworth, Lane 3
SB: Eshelman, Aidan 1
CS: Diaz, Diego 1
HBP: Stucky, Andrew 1
