BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — The surging UAB Blazers will look to continue their strong season when they host the in-state rival Alabama Crimson Tide in a midweek nonconference matchup Tuesday at Jerry D. Young Memorial Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 79 degrees.

The Blazers (23-13) enter having won eight of their last 11 games, despite dropping two of three to Wichita State over the weekend. Their offense is powered by catcher Austin Pierzynski, who homered and drove in two runs in Sunday’s 10-2 loss. Over his last 10 games, Pierzynski is batting .303 with two home runs and seven RBIs.

He will face an Alabama squad (26-11) aiming to rebound after being swept at home by Arkansas. The Crimson Tide fell 3-2 on Sunday despite a strong start from right-hander Myles Upchurch, who allowed two earned runs over six innings with six strikeouts.

Upchurch, a key arm out of the bullpen, has been effective in longer relief recently. In three appearances from March 29 to April 12, he posted a 1.86 ERA over 13 1/3 innings, allowing just five hits and striking out 12. His role will be pivotal against a potent UAB lineup.

Alabama’s offense, which managed just two runs on five hits Sunday, will look to shortstop Justin Lebron to spark production. He went 2 for 3 with an RBI in the series finale against the Razorbacks.

The Blazers took two of three from Florida Atlantic on the road earlier this month and have shown resilience at home. Alabama has dominated recent midweek contests, including a 16-2 run-rule victory over Samford on April 7.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this contest projects to be a high-scoring affair, with a predicted final score of UAB 7, Alabama 6.

This game is the first of a home-and-home series between the programs this season. They will meet again next Tuesday, April 21, in Tuscaloosa.

Following this contest, Alabama opens a crucial Southeastern Conference road series at Texas on Friday. UAB travels to face South Florida to begin American Athletic Conference play the same day.