BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — The UAB Blazers staged a stunning eight-run comeback over the final two innings, capped by a two-run, walk-off single in the ninth, to stun the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 9-8 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday.

The Blazers, who had managed just one run on five hits through seven innings against dominant Middle Tennessee starter Chandler Alderman, erupted for seven runs in the eighth and two in the ninth to snatch victory. The win improved UAB to 10-6 on the season, while Middle Tennessee fell to 9-7.

For most of the afternoon, the game belonged to the Blue Raiders and Alderman. The right-hander was nearly untouchable, carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning. He finished with a final line of seven-plus innings pitched, allowing no hits and two earned runs while striking out five. His outing was supported by an early offensive barrage from his lineup.

Middle Tennessee struck quickly, scoring a run in the first on an RBI single by Tyler Minnick. They broke the game open in the second when designated hitter Layne Akers launched a two-run homer to right field. The Blue Raiders then piled on four more runs in the third inning. Minnick added an RBI double, Cooper Clapp drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Brett Vondohlen capped the rally with a two-run homer to left, stretching the lead to 7-0.

Akers added another RBI with a single in the sixth, pushing the advantage to 8-0. The Blazers finally got to Alderman and broke up the no-hit bid in the sixth when Brady Waugh doubled down the right-field line to score John Paul Head, who had doubled earlier in the frame.

The most important part of the game, and its decisive turning point, arrived in the bottom of the eighth inning. Alderman returned to the mound but surrendered a solo home run to A. Dupuy. After a double by Head, Alderman was relieved by Mason Dobbs. Landon Beaver promptly greeted Dobbs with a two-run homer to center, suddenly cutting the deficit to 8-4.

The Blazers’ rally only gained momentum from there. Following a double and a pitching change, W. Helms and P. McGlon delivered run-scoring groundouts, and B. Roberts added an RBI single up the middle. By the time the inning ended, UAB had sent 12 men to the plate, collected seven hits, and scored seven runs to trim the Blue Raiders’ lead to a precarious 8-7.

Facing new UAB pitcher Hunter Hyatt in the top of the ninth, Middle Tennessee went down in order. In the bottom half, against reliever Landen Burch, Beaver was hit by a pitch and A. Hunt walked. After a bunt single by Waugh loaded the bases, Helms came through again, lining a two-run single through the right side to complete the monumental comeback.

Offensively, Minnick led Middle Tennessee with three hits and two RBIs, while Akers drove in three. For UAB, Head went 3 for 5 with three doubles and two runs scored. Waugh also had three hits, including the key bunt single in the ninth, and an RBI. Relievers Isaac Warrick and Hyatt were critical in the win, combining for three scoreless innings to keep the Blazers within striking distance.

The victory gave UAB a series lead after taking the opener on Friday. The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.