Around the Bases
In the preseason, the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers were nothing more than an afterthought in the Conference USA pecking order.
In fact, the league's head coaches picked the Blazers to finish sixth in the conference behind Houston, Tulane, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, South Florida and Southern Miss.
However, UAB is moving up in the rankings after sweeping UNC Charlotte and taking two of three from Southern Miss. The Blazers won a school record 14-straight games and are tied with the University of Houston for the C-USA lead at 5-1.
"We've played with quiet a bit of confidence in our winning streak," said UAB head coach Pete Rancont. "We've scored a lot of runs, and our pitching has been good enough."
The UAB offense has averaged almost 11 runs per game and is led by the senior duo of first baseman Mike Terry (.333 batting average, nine homers and 30 RBIs) and preseason All-C-USA right fielder Shayne Carnes (.419, 10 homers and 35 RBIs).
But as well as the Blazers are playing, Rancont said he is aware of last year's regular season and postseason champs.
"I still think Houston and Tulane are the two clubs to beat right now," he said. "Fortunately for us, we play both clubs at home this year."
C-USA Pitcher of the Week
UH left-hander Shane Nance was named conference pitcher of the week after his victory over league rival South Florida last Friday.
The sophomore pitched the Cougars to a 7-2 win, allowing only two runs and striking out a season-high 10 batters.
Nance is the second Houston pitcher to win conference pitching honors. Senior lefty Jon McDonald was also named pitcher of the week on Feb. 23.
C-USA Hitter of the Week
UAB right fielder Shayne Carnes tied one school record and set another last week as he led the Blazers to a 3-1 record.
Carnes tied the Blazers' single-game home run record with three against Alabama State and set a new school record with 10 RBIs in the same game.
In four games, the senior batted 8-for-17 with eight hits, five homers and 17 RBIs.
The Numbers Game
UAB senior third baseman Rodney Eberly has hit safely in all 18 Blazer games this season.
UNC Charlotte senior third baseman Bo Robinson has become the 49ers' all-time doubles leader with 65 two-baggers for his career.
In a 28-5 route of UNC Charlotte last Sunday, Tulane set single-game C-USA records for most runs scored, most hits (28), most RBIs (27) and total bases.