GAINESVILLE, FL – UAB Baseball begins its 2026 season on the road this Friday, facing the No. 13 Florida Gators at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville. All three games of the weekend series will be streamed live on SEC Network+ via the ESPN app.
The Blazers (0-0) will open against a Power Four opponent for the first time since 2022, when they faced Northwestern. This marks the first time UAB has started a season against a Power Four school on the road since a 2012 trip to Clemson, and the first time they’ve opened against an SEC team since visiting Mississippi State in 2010.
Friday’s series opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, with UAB sending junior right-hander Mason Steele (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound against Florida’s projected top-15 MLB Draft pick, junior right-hander Liam Peterson (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Live stats will be available via StatBroadcast, and the game can be watched on SEC Network+ here.
Saturday’s game, set for 6:00 p.m. ET, will feature UAB senior right-hander Braxton Shelton (0-0, 0.00 ERA) opposing Florida sophomore right-hander Aidan King (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Fans can follow the action with live stats on StatBroadcast and on SEC Network+ here.
The series will conclude on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET, with UAB senior right-hander Chase Ingram (0-0, 0.00 ERA) taking the ball against Florida sophomore right-hander Cooper Walls (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Live stats are available here, and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+ here.
Florida, coached by Kevin O’Sullivan, was selected seventh in the Southeastern Conference. The Gators boast a strong pitching staff, led by Peterson, a potential first-round MLB draft pick, and reliever Luke McNeillie, both of whom were named to the SEC Preseason Coaches Poll First Team. Third baseman Brendan Lawson earned a Second Team selection.
UAB Head Coach Casey Dunn is two wins shy of reaching 100 career victories and currently leads the American Conference in wins with 634. The Blazers’ roster features nine junior college transfers, including Steele, Drew Thompson, Konner Keplinger, Drake Douglas, Alex Dupuy, Brady Waugh, Max Price, Josh Holley, and Andrew Prejean. The team also includes three four-year transfers and six true freshmen, totaling 19 newcomers for the 2026 season.
The Blazers will face a challenging schedule that includes matchups against four SEC teams this season: Auburn and Alabama twice each, and a road trip to Mississippi State following the series at Florida. UAB swept its season series against Auburn in 2025, marking their first series sweep over the Tigers in 45 years.
Fans can follow the UAB Baseball team on X and Instagram at @UAB_Baseball.
