AP Sports Preview

CLEARWATER, Fla. (Interstat) — The American Baseball Championship opens Thursday with a matchup between two programs heading in opposite directions as the seed Memphis Tigers face the seed UAB Blazers at BayCare Ballpark.

First pitch is set for 4 p.m. EDT.

Memphis (23-32) enters the tournament after a 13-9 win Wednesday over Charlotte, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Tigers finished the regular season 9-11 in their final 20 games.

UAB (31-24) arrives having won four of its last five, including a 23-11 rout at Texas-San Antonio on May 16. The Blazers finished the regular season strong, going 12-8 in their final 20 games.

Players to watch

Memphis center fielder Michael Gupton has been streaky but powerful. In Wednesday’s win over Charlotte, Gupton went 2 for 5 with two home runs and two RBIs. Over his last 10 games, Gupton is batting .308 (8 for 26) with three home runs and five RBIs.

UAB first baseman Wesley Helms has been dominant at the plate. In the May 16 win at UTSA, Helms went 4 for 5 with a home run and six RBIs. Over his last 10 games, Helms is batting .345 (10 for 29) with one home run and 10 RBIs.

Head-to-head

The teams split a three-game series in late April, with UAB winning the series 2-1. The Blazers won the opener 7-6 in 11 innings on April 24, then Memphis answered with a 13-9 win April 25. UAB closed the series with an 11-2 victory April 26.

Pitching matchup

Memphis will send right-hander Will Howell (4-5, 5.12 ERA) to the mound. Howell earned a win Wednesday against Charlotte, allowing three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings with four strikeouts.

UAB had not announced a starter as of Wednesday evening.

The winner advances to the double-elimination portion of the tournament. The loser falls into the elimination bracket.