BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — John Paul Head launched three home runs and drove in six, and Brady Waugh capped a wild comeback with a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning as the UAB Blazers outlasted the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 16-14 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday.

In a contest defined by explosive offense and tenacious rallies, the Blazers erased multiple deficits, including a four-run hole in the final frame, to secure the victory and improve to 10-6 on the season. Middle Tennessee fell to 9-7.

The game’s most critical sequence unfolded in a chaotic ninth inning that saw 11 total runs cross the plate. The Blue Raiders, trailing 12-10, staged a dramatic rally of their own, plating four runs to seize a 14-12 lead. Brett Vondohlen sparked the surge with a two-run homer, his second of the game, and Nathan Brewer and Clay Badylak followed with RBI hits.

Facing a new pitcher, Landen Burch, in the bottom of the ninth, UAB mounted its final answer. Alex Dupuy led off with a double and Head, who had already homered in the first, second and sixth innings, was intentionally walked. After a groundout advanced both runners, a walk to A. Hunt loaded the bases for Waugh. The second baseman delivered the decisive blow, crushing a grand slam to right field to complete the stunning victory.

The game was a back-and-forth affair from the outset. Middle Tennessee struck first, building a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning highlighted by Vondohlen’s three-run homer. Head immediately responded in the bottom half with a two-run shot, and his three-run homer in the second inning, part of a four-run UAB rally, tied the game.

The Blue Raiders regained an 8-6 lead in the third on a two-run homer from Dean O’Neill and a two-run double from Brewer. UAB chipped away, scoring a run in the fifth before a four-run sixth inning, fueled by a two-run error and a sacrifice fly, gave the Blazers an 11-8 advantage. Dupuy’s solo homer in the seventh extended the lead to 12-8, setting the stage for the frantic final two innings.

Head’s historic performance, going 3 for 5 with three homers and six RBIs, led the UAB offense, which amassed 17 hits. Waugh finished 2 for 5 with four RBIs, while Dupuy was 3 for 5 with a homer, a double and an RBI. Landon Beaver also had three hits, including a homer, for the Blazers.

Vondohlen powered the Middle Tennessee attack, going 3 for 5 with two homers and five RBIs. O’Neill also had three hits, including a homer, and drove in three. Brewer contributed two hits and three RBIs for the Blue Raiders, who collected 13 hits but grounded into two double plays.

Reliever Carter Samuelson provided stability for UAB, throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings with three hits allowed and one strikeout after entering in the third. Middle Tennessee relievers David Horn and John Michael Pickens combined for 5 1/3 innings of hitless relief, though each allowed two unearned runs.

The win gave UAB its second victory in the series after a 12-2 triumph on Friday. The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.