SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — UAB faces Texas-San Antonio on Friday at Roadrunner Field in an American Athletic Conference series opener, with the first pitch scheduled under cloudy skies and 90-degree heat.

The Blazers (29-23) enter the game on a four-game losing streak and have dropped nine of their last 10 contests. UAB was routed 14-5 by Troy on Tuesday, a game in which designated hitter John Paul Head went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Head has been one of the team’s most consistent bats over the past month, collecting hits in nine of his last 10 games. In that span, he has three home runs and eight RBIs, including a 3-for-5, four-RBI performance against Memphis on April 26.

Texas-San Antonio (35-17) enters with momentum after a 19-4 rout of Texas State on Tuesday. Shortstop Aidan Eshelman starred in that win, going 3 for 4 with four RBIs. Eshelman has been streaky lately but delivered in the Roadrunners’ most recent victory. Over his last 10 games, he has hit .281 with seven RBIs. The Roadrunners have won four of their last six and sit well above .500 in conference play.

The teams met Thursday in the first game of this series, with UTSA winning 7-3. Friday’s matchup marks the second of a four-game set, with another game scheduled Saturday.

UTSA holds a clear edge in overall record and recent form. The Roadrunners have outscored opponents 55-20 in their last two wins. UAB has struggled to contain opposing offenses, allowing 10 or more runs in six of its last nine games.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 6-2 win for Texas-San Antonio.

NOTABLE: UAB’s pitching staff has been taxed recently. Reliever Riley Miller worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings against Troy, and Alex Dupuy threw a scoreless frame. The Blazers will need strong outings from their bullpen to slow a UTSA lineup that averages nearly eight runs per game.

For Texas-San Antonio, Caden Miller has provided power from the outfield and first base, hitting a home run and driving in three runs against Texas State. Pitcher Mike DeBattista threw two scoreless innings in that win, striking out three.

Friday’s game is the second of a four-game series, with Saturday’s contest set for a 2 p.m. start.