BIRMINGHAM – The UAB baseball team will kick off the 2020 season this weekend as Notre Dame comes to Birmingham for a three-game series. The series, previously scheduled to be split between Regions Field and Young Memorial Field, will now be held only at Young Memorial Field.
Game one will begin on Friday at 3 p.m., an hour ahead of the previous slot, followed by a 1 p.m. matchup on Saturday and the series finale at noon on Sunday. Ticket will revert back to standard prices of $5 for adults and $3 for youth, and game times are still subject to change based on weather concerns.
UAB enters the series following a strong run to cap the 2019 season. Last year’s Blazers won nine of their final 13 games, including wins over 2019 College World Series team Auburn and Conference USA champion Southern Miss. The 2020 Blazers are made up of 20 returners from last season’s squad and 16 newcomers. Among the returners are regular starters in six positions in the field, including Conference USA Preseason All-Conference team member Zack Davis along with brother and 2019 Conference USA All-Freshman Team member Jess Davis, who stole 48 bases a year ago to place second in the NCAA and program history.
Notre Dame opens the 2020 season following a 24-30 campaign in 2019. The Fighting Irish picked up seven wins against ranked opponents throughout the season including Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and NC State. Returning this season for Notre Dame are junior left-handed pitcher Tommy Sheehan and junior Niko Kavadas. Sheehan led the team in innings pitched and fanned 62 batters a year ago while Kavadas belted a team-high 12 homeruns.
The Blazers and Fighting Irish have only squared off once in the history of the two programs. Notre Dame came out on top in the sole meeting, claiming a 3-0 win at a neutral site in 2011.
UAB will follow the series by hosting a midweek contest against Alabama State on Feb. 18 at Regions Field. The Blazers will also face Jacksonville State on the road on Feb. 19 before returning home to wrap up the week with a series against UNC-Asheville Feb. 21-23 at Regions Field. Live stat and streaming information for each game is available on the UAB baseball schedule page.
Fans may secure baseball season tickets by purchasing the 2020 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all baseball, softball and women’s basketball events for the remainder of the academic year. Mini plans and single game tickets are also available here. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow @UAB_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram.
-Go Blazers-
