BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Dolphins will cross state lines to Birmingham, Alabama this weekend for a three-game series against the UAB Blazers. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Friday, with 2 p.m. ET starts set for Saturday and Sunday. All three games will take place at Young Memorial Field, and will be streamed on ESPN+.

The weekend marks the first meeting between the programs since 1991, when the two were Sun Belt foes. Jacksonville leads the all-time series 5-4. It will be the first meeting ever played in Birmingham.

Jacksonville enters the weekend at 8-1, its best start since 2008 and the strongest start of Head Coach Chris Hayes'  JU tenure.

The Dolphins opened the season with back-to-back four-game sweeps of Rhode Island and LIU, with their lone loss coming in a midweek matchup against No. 13 Florida State.

JU enters the series ranked 15th nationally in winning percentage (.889).

National Offensive Presence

Through nine games, the Dolphins have been one of the most productive offenses in the country.

As of Wednesday, February 25th, JU ranks:

• 9th nationally in runs scored (89)
• 5th in hits (98)
• 14th in batting average (.348)
• 12th in on-base percentage (.472)
• 21st in slugging percentage (.560)

Derek Bermudez has been the catalyst in the middle of the lineup, leading the nation with 21 RBIs. The junior also ranks among national leaders in hits and total bases.

Freshman Cade Walter has provided an immediate impact in the lead-off spot, ranking second nationally among freshmen with four home runs. He leads the team in runs scored (13) and walks (7).

Jonah Shields enters the weekend on a six-game hitting streak and has recorded a hit in eight of nine games played. He looks to continue his consistency at the plate.

Pitching Matchups

Friday's opener features one of the top ERAs in the country as senior left-hander Alex Walsh (2-0, 0.96 ERA) takes the ball. Walsh has allowed just six hits in 9.1 innings this season.

Saturday will see right-hander Payton Waters (0-0, 3.60 ERA) make his start, while graduate left-hander Brendan Holland (1-0, 1.86 ERA) is slated for Sunday. Holland has struck out 10 in two starts while allowing just two earned runs.

Scouting UAB

UAB enters the weekend at 5-4, closing out an eight-game homestand. The Blazers opened the season with a 9-7 win over then-No. 13 Florida and also run-ruled North Alabama, 15-3.

Offensively, UAB leads the American Conference in home runs (14) and ranks second in stolen bases (19). Andrew Hunt leads the team with a .440 average and is currently riding an eight-game hitting streak.

The Blazers are 5-0 this season when scoring eight or more runs.

Next Up

Jacksonville will travel to Tallahassee on Tuesday, March 3 for its second matchup of the season against Florida State.