BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — John Paul Head launched three home runs and drove in four to power the UAB Blazers to a 12-2 victory over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in college baseball action Friday at Jerry D. Young Memorial Field.

The offensive outburst, which included 14 hits, supported a strong start from right-hander Mason Steele and handed the Blazers a series-opening win in a game that was projected to be much closer. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Middle Tennessee 8, UAB 7.

The most important sequence of the game came in the bottom of the second inning, turning a tight contest into a commanding lead for the home team. After the Blue Raiders had taken a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on Cooper Clapp’s RBI single, UAB responded immediately and decisively in its half of the frame.

Trailing 2-1 after first-inning solo shots from Alex Dupuy and Head, the Blazers’ rally in the second began with a walk to Austin Pierzynski and a bunt single by Brayden Roberts. Dupuy then delivered a single to right field, scoring two runs, one of which was unearned due to a fielding error. That chased Middle Tennessee starter Gavin King from the game.

Reliever Abel Albarran entered and was greeted by Head, who smashed his second homer of the afternoon, a two-run blast to right field that extended the UAB lead to 6-2. The four-run inning, capped by Head’s powerful swing, established a cushion from which the Blazers never looked back.

Head, the clear top star for UAB, added a solo homer in the eighth inning to complete the trifecta, finishing the day 3 for 4. His performance continued a powerful stretch, coming two games after a two-homer, four-RBI outing against Jacksonville.

Dupuy complemented Head’s display, going 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs. Wesley Helms also homered for the Blazers, a two-run shot in the sixth inning that made it 10-2.

On the mound, Steele earned the win for UAB, working six innings and allowing two runs on four hits while striking out three. The Blazers’ bullpen, featuring Brendan Conner and others, combined for three scoreless innings of relief to seal the win.

For Middle Tennessee, which managed only five hits, Owen Nowak had a double. Starter Gavin King took the loss, surrendering four runs, three earned, in 1 1/3 innings. Reliever Bryant Beranek provided a bright spot with 1 1/3 hitless innings of work.

The victory improved UAB’s season record to 8-6, while Middle Tennessee fell to 9-5. The two teams are scheduled to continue their three-game series Saturday and Sunday in Birmingham.

Up next, Middle Tennessee will host Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday before a weekend series with Kennesaw State. UAB will travel to face Auburn on Tuesday before returning home for a weekend set against Belmont.