MIDDLE TENNESSEE, UAB SET FOR CONFERENCE OPENER

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and UAB Blazers open a three-game series Friday at Jerry D. Young Memorial Field, with both teams looking to build momentum early in the conference slate.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 81 degrees.

Middle Tennessee (9-4) enters having dropped two of its last three, including a narrow 8-7 loss to Belmont on Wednesday. The Blue Raiders’ offense has been potent, averaging over seven runs per game.

A key catalyst is catcher Dean O’Neill. He is coming off a two-homer, three-RBI performance against Belmont and has driven in 11 runs over his last seven games, showcasing significant power potential in the heart of the order.

UAB (7-6) seeks consistency after a 11-1 road loss to South Alabama on Tuesday. The Blazers’ pitching staff will aim to quiet the Blue Raiders’ bats. A player to watch is right-hander Justin Hicks, who delivered 3 2/3 hitless innings of relief with six strikeouts in that loss, though he was charged with two earned runs.

The Blazers have shown resilience at home, winning two of three against Jacksonville last weekend after dropping a series to Cincinnati.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this opener projects to be a high-scoring affair, with a predicted final of Middle Tennessee 8, UAB 7.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday in Birmingham. Middle Tennessee will host Eastern Kentucky next Tuesday, while UAB travels to face Auburn.