Blast from the Past: Jacksonville Dolphins and UAB Blazers Set for Historic Baseball Showdown in Birmingham

Blast from the Past: Jacksonville Dolphins and UAB Blazers Set for Historic Baseball Showdown in Birmingham

Blast from the Past: Jacksonville Dolphins and UAB Blazers Set for Historic Baseball Showdown in Birmingham

Baseball has a funny way of bringing history back to the surface. For the first time in thirty-five years, the Jacksonville University Dolphins and the UAB Blazers are sharing a dugout—reviving a rivalry that has been dormant since both schools were members of the Sun Belt Conference in 1991.

Starting today, February 27, 2026, the Dolphins (8-1) will cross state lines to take on the Blazers (5-4) at Young Memorial Field in Birmingham, Alabama. This isn’t just a regular-season series; it’s a trip down memory lane that marks the first time these two programs have ever met in the city of Birmingham.

The Historic Connection

The last time these two programs stood across from each other, George H.W. Bush was in the White House, and the Sun Belt look vastly different. In May 1991, the Blazers bested the Dolphins 5-1 to clinch the Sun Belt Conference Tournament title and advance to the NCAA tournament.

Since that day in 1991, the programs have moved through various conferences—JU to the ASUN and UAB now in the American—but the all-time series remains neck-and-neck, with Jacksonville holding a razor-thin 5-4 lead. This weekend’s three-game set promises to either extend that lead or see UAB draw even for the first time in decades.

Dolphins Riding a Wave of Momentum

The 2026 Dolphins are off to their best start since 2008. Under Head Coach Chris Hayes, JU has become a national offensive powerhouse. As they pull into Birmingham, the “Phins” are sporting an 8-1 record, with their only blemish being a midweek loss to a top-ranked Florida State team.

Statistically, the Dolphins are elite:

Runs Scored: 9th nationally (89 runs).

Hits: 5th nationally (98 hits).

Team Batting Average: .348 (14th in NCAA).

Winning Percentage: .889 (15th nationally).

The catalyst for this explosion has been junior Derek Bermudez. Bermudez currently leads the entire nation with 21 RBIs, acting as a vacuum for any runners left on base. Alongside him, freshman sensation Cade Walter is making a name for himself, ranking second among all freshmen nationally with four home runs in just nine games.

Scouting the Blazers

While Jacksonville brings the “big sticks,” UAB brings the “big bombs.” The Blazers currently lead the American Conference with 14 home runs. Their offensive strategy is built on power and pressure, led by Andrew Hunt and Kevin Hall Jr., both of whom have reached base in seven consecutive games.

UAB is coming off a midweek victory over Alabama State and is looking to protect their home turf at Young Memorial Field. Their defense is equally formidable, ranking high in the conference for assists (107) and fielding percentage (.980).

The Probable Matchups

The pitching matchups for the weekend are a masterclass in contrasting styles:

Friday: JU sends Alex Walsh (2-0, 0.96 ERA) to the mound. Walsh has been one of the most dominant lefties in the country this season. He faces UAB’s Mason Steele (0-0, 7.00 ERA).

Saturday: A battle of righties features JU’s Payton Waters (3.60 ERA) against UAB’s Braxton Shelton.

Sunday: Graduate lefty Brendan Holland (1.86 ERA) takes the bump for Jacksonville against UAB senior Chase Ingram.

The Human Element: Why This Series Matters

Beyond the stats and the RPI rankings, this series represents the “old school” of college athletics. For alumni of both schools who remember the fierce Sun Belt battles of the late 80s and early 90s, this is more than just a February non-conference series. It’s a bridge between generations.

Coach Chris Hayes has noted that the team is embracing the “road warrior” mentality. For a squad that played eight of its first nine games at home, this trip to Birmingham is the first real test of their chemistry and resilience away from John Sessions Stadium.

How to Follow

Fans who can’t make the trip to Young Memorial Field can catch all the action live:

Streaming: ESPN+

Live Stats: StatBroadcast via UAB and JU athletic sites.

Game Times: Friday (3:00 PM ET), Saturday (2:00 PM ET), Sunday (2:00 PM ET).

As the first pitch crosses the plate today, a 35-year-old chapter will finally be reopened. Whether the Dolphins’ national-leading offense or the Blazers’ conference-leading power wins out, college baseball fans in Birmingham are in for a treat.

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