Cincinnati vs UAB on ESPN+: Curt Bloom Commentates Friday's NCAA Baseball Series

Cincinnati travels to UAB for the second game of their four-game NCAA Division I baseball series on Friday, with the contest streaming live on ESPN+.[1][3] The match kicks off at 2 p.m. CT at Young Memorial Field in Birmingham, Alabama, with veteran play-by-play commentator Curt Bloom on the call.[1][2]

This series represents a significant moment for both programmes, marking their first meeting since the 2005 season when both institutions competed in Conference USA.[2] For UAB, this weekend marks the first time the Blazers have hosted a Power 4 team in a series since Notre Dame visited in 2023, underlining the calibre of opposition they are facing.[2] The four-game series is being broadcast entirely on ESPN+, making it accessible to subscribers across North America and beyond.

Cincinnati arrives in Birmingham riding high after an impressive 8-0 victory over ninth-ranked Auburn on Tuesday, a result that represents the highest-ranked opponent the Bearcats have defeated since a 13-12 win against No. 5 Louisville in 2021.[3] Under third-year head coach Jordan Bischel, the programme has demonstrated considerable strength early in the 2026 season, with the Auburn upset marking Cincinnati's ninth ranked victory during the Bischel era.[3] The Bearcats come into the series having previously secured a series win at Jacksonville State.

For UAB, momentum has been building following a dramatic 12-11 walk-off victory over Cincinnati on Thursday in the opening game of the series.[1] Head Coach Casey Dunn recently reached his 100th career win at the helm of the programme, achieving the milestone on Tuesday night at North Alabama.[2] The Blazers have shown impressive discipline at the plate throughout their early season success, drawing at least seven walks in all three of their victories.[1]

With Curt Bloom providing commentary throughout the series on ESPN+, viewers can expect experienced play-by-play analysis of what promises to be a compelling matchup between two programmes clearly performing well early in the season. The streaming availability through ESPN+ ensures fans on both sides of the Atlantic can follow the action live, whilst the remainder of the series continues through Sunday, with games also scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. CT.

All four games of the series are available on ESPN+, offering comprehensive coverage of this intriguing NCAA Division I baseball encounter.

Article generated: 20 February 2026, 08:01 GMT