The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Wichita State
UAB Hosts Wichita State in Battle of American's Top Teams
4/9/2026 5:00:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM – In a matchup of two of The American's top teams, UAB Baseball hosts the Wichita State Shockers this weekend at Young Memorial Field. All three games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Who: UAB (22-11, 7-2 - American) vs. Wichita State (21-13, 5-4 - American)
Where: Young Memorial Field – Birmingham, Alabama
Watch: ESPN+
On The Call: Curt Bloom (PxP)
Series: Wichita State leads, 5-2
In Birmingham: Wichita State leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: March 30, 2025 (UAB won, 11-9)
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Friday (5 p.m.)
Probable Starters
UAB: Mason Steele (4-2, 3.72 ERA), RHP, Junior
Wichita State: Matthew Cuccias (3-1, 3.22 ERA), RHP, Junior
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Saturday (2 p.m.)
Probable Starters
UAB: TBA
Wichita State: TBA
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Sunday (1 p.m.)
Probable Starters
UAB: TBA
Wichita State: TBA
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
SCOUTING THE SHOCKERS
Wichita State's red-hot offense comes into the weekend first in hits (355), runs scored (296), and RBI (276). The Shockers also rank in the top-3 in the league in strikeouts (2nd, 314), batting average (2nd, .313), doubles (2nd, 73), total bases (2nd, 558), on-base percentage (2nd, .413), slugging percentage (2nd, .492), and home runs (3rd, 40). The Shockers have four qualified hitters with an average north of .300. Jayson Jones leads the team with a .395 batting average. WSU took two of three games from UAB last season in Wichita with the Blazers avoiding the sweep on Sunday.
THINGS TO KNOW
- UAB comes into the series with an RPI of 34 which trails only East Carolina (29) for the best in The American.
- The Blazers have won seven straight games at home and seven straight in the American Conference.
- The Green and Gold have a .285 batting average through nine conference games with five hitters hitting above .300. Wesley Helms leads the team with 14 hits and a .368 average.
- The bulk of the Blazers' offensive damage this season has been at Young Memorial Field. UAB is hitting .323 as a team this season at YMF and a team OPS of 1.022. The Green and Gold are averaging 9.2 runs per game through 20 games at home.
- Through three conference starts, Mason Steele holds an ERA of 1.89 and has held opponents to a .132 batting average.
- Kevin Hall Jr. plays his best ball at home as the junior outfielder leads the team with a .400 average (24-for-60).
- Eight of UAB's nine projected starters are hitting above .285 at home this season.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
To keep up with UAB Baseball, follow @UAB_Baseball on Instagram and X.
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