BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth offensive showcase that defied pregame projections, the UAB Blazers mounted a massive comeback from an 11-run first-inning deficit to defeat the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 16-11 on Tuesday night at Jerry D. Young Memorial Field.

The game, which saw 27 runs, 24 hits and 23 walks, was decisively swung by a relentless UAB offense, led by shortstop Baylor Roberts, and a parade of Blazers relievers who silenced Jacksonville State’s bats after a nightmarish start.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a low-scoring Jacksonville State victory, with the Gamecocks given a 57% probability to win. Those forecasts were rendered obsolete within minutes.

Jacksonville State (21-5) sent 15 batters to the plate in a staggering top of the first inning, scoring 11 runs on six hits and two walks while chasing UAB starter C. Helmers after just one-third of an inning. The inning featured a three-run homer by Ace Williamson and run-scoring hits from G. Ashe and M. Cash, staking the Gamecocks to what seemed an insurmountable 11-0 lead.

UAB (15-10) immediately began chipping away in the bottom half, scoring three runs on just one hit, taking advantage of two walks and a hit batter against Jacksonville State starter J. Wilson. The Blazers then systematically dismantled the lead.

The most important sequence of the game came in the bottom of the third inning. Trailing 11-4, UAB loaded the bases with one out. After two flyouts, catcher Max Price was hit by a pitch to force in a run, bringing Roberts to the plate. The shortstop cleared the bases with a three-run double to left center, cutting the deficit to 11-8. Kevin Hall Jr. followed with an RBI single, making it an 11-9 game and completing a five-run frame that brought UAB fully back into contention.

Roberts, the top star for UAB, finished 3 for 4 with a game-high five RBIs, his key double serving as the pivotal blow that transformed the game’s momentum.

UAB tied the game in the fifth, capitalizing on Jacksonville State errors to plate three unearned runs, and took its first lead at 12-11 on a sacrifice fly from Hall Jr. The Blazers extended the lead with a sacrifice fly from Roberts in the sixth.

The Blazers then sealed the victory with back-to-back solo home runs from Wesley Helms and Max Price in the seventh inning, pushing the advantage to 15-11. UAB added a final run in the eighth on an RBI single by A. Dupuy.

While the UAB offense stole the show, the bullpen combination of Riley Miller and Chase Ingram proved critical. Miller entered in the fourth and provided three innings of relief, allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out two. Ingram earned the save with two perfect innings of work, striking out two to close the door in the eighth and ninth.

Jacksonville State’s offense, which compiled 10 hits, was held scoreless after the fourth inning outside of a two-run eighth. The Gamecocks used eight pitchers, with Grayson Knight and Josh Sibley providing scoreless relief outings, but the staff combined to issue 15 walks and hit three batters.

Price finished 3 for 3 with a home run, two RBIs and four runs scored for UAB. Helms was 3 for 5 with a homer and an RBI. Hall Jr. drove in two runs.

For Jacksonville State, Williamson’s first-inning homer accounted for his three RBIs. J. Pate and G. Ashe each had two hits and an RBI.

The victory improves UAB to 15-10, while Jacksonville State falls to 21-5. UAB opens a home series against Tulane on Friday. Jacksonville State travels to face Louisiana Tech on Friday to begin a three-game series.