BIRMINGHAM — The UAB baseball team travels to Houston to take on Rice for its first Conference USA series of the season. Friday's series opener at Reckling Park is set for 6:30 p.m., while Saturday is schedule for 2 p.m., and Sunday at 12 p.m. for the series finale. 
 
PITCHING PROBABLES
Friday: RHP Jackson Reynolds (1-1, 2.28 ERA) vs. Cooper Chandler (0-4, 7.16 ERA)
Saturday: RHP Tyler O'Clair (1-0, 8.27 ERA) vs. Roel Garcia (0-0, 4.30 ERA)
Sunday: RHP Brooks Walton (3-0, 2.91 ERA) vs. Parker Smith (1-1, 3.86 ERA)
 
UAB BLAZERS (11-4, 0-0 C-USA) VS. RICE OWLS (5-13, 0-0 C-USA)
The series marks the opening of conference play for both teams. Rice holds the all-time series over the Blazers, 33-15. Last season, the Owls took the four-game series at Young Memorial Field, 3-1. In Houston, Rice leads the way with a record of 18-4.
 
THE LAST TIME OUT
The Blazers won its fourth straight series to open the season following a 2-of-3 weekend versus Belmont at Young Memorial Field. UAB had its midweek versus Jacksonville State canceled due to weather in the Birmingham area.
 
ABOUT THE BLAZERS
The Blazers are off to its best 15-game start to the season since 2014. At the plate, UAB is led by Christian Hall with a .408 batting average. Senior Josh Sears leads the Blazers with four home runs and 18 RBI on the season.
 
Sophomore Darryl Buggs recorded six RBI game two of the series with Belmont. Buggs was the first Blazer since 2015 to record six RBI in a game and the first since 2020 to hit a grand slam.
 
As a team, the Blazers have recorded 10 or more hits 10 times – including a season-high 17 hits versus Alabama A&M on March 5.
 
On the mound, the pitching staff has posted a 4.11 ERA, which ranks fifth in Conference USA. Junior relief pitcher Dalton Skinner has posted two saves this season, which in fifth in conference and 72nd nationally. The weekend starters (Reynolds, O'Clair and Walton) combine for a record of 5-1 and 61.2 innings pitched. Reynolds also leads the team with 25 strikeouts.
 
SCOUTING RICE
Rice is 5-13 heading into the first week of conference action. The Owls have played a tough schedule thus far with facing the then-No. 1 Texas to open the season and last week faced the 15th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders.
 
Nathan Becker is leading Rice at the plate with a .359 batting average in 39 at bats. Guy Garibay Jr. leads the team with 23 hits, six doubles, four home runs and 16 RBI.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow along with live stats through Sidearm Live Stats. All three games of the series will be broadcasted on CUSA.tv. This is a subscription-based service that offers a variety of packages. Click here to register for a new account.
 
ON DECK
UAB is back home for its first of two games of the season at Regions Field when it hosts Alabama on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Ticket are available by clicking here.
 
Baseball season tickets are available by purchasing the 2021-22 Gold Card for $65. This exclusive offer grants admission to all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball and softball games in addition to all baseball home contests. Complete the Gold Card Request Form or contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
 
Single game tickets for the 2022 baseball season for games at Young Memorial Field and Regions Field are available by clicking here.
 
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow @UAB_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram.