HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of West Alabama baseball team held off the University of Alabama in Huntsville, 7-6, in the night cap of the Saturday doubleheader to draw a split in the opening series of Gulf South Conference action. UAH (13-6, 1-1 GSC) claimed the first game 10-3.
The Chargers, trailed by one run heading into the final frame, but with bases loaded UWA (14-7, 1-1 GSC) turned away the Blue and White to secure the victory.
UWA retaliated from the setback in the opening game as the Tigers posted seven runs in the first three innings of the contest. Marc Mahler started the scoring with a double down the right field line in UWA's first at bat, scoring Brian Simone and Kevin Deese. Later in the inning, Colin McKeen crossed the dish on a wild pitch and Clint Alford followed with a single to center to score Mahler. Deese increased the lead to 5-0 in the second as he doubled to left field to score Douglas Frazier. The Fosters, Ala.-junior later scored on an error to give UWA a 6-0 lead after the first two innings. Frazier, a Northport, Ala.-product, drove in the final run of the game for the Tigers as he doubled to left in the third inning to score Clint Alford.
UAH began to cut into the Tiger deficit in the bottom of the third, plating a pair of runs. The Chargers added three more in the fourth and drew within one of the Red and White with a run in the fifth.
Colter Millican (3-1) earned the victory on the mound. The Brighton, Tenn.-hurler toed the rubber for five innings, allowing six runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Brian Burgess (4) tossed the final inning allowing just one hit in the save, the 20th of her career. Josh Varner and Jason Howell combined for an inning of work in relief.
The Chargers plated nine of their 10 runs in the first two innings for the win in the first game. UAH took a 3-1 lead after the first inning and saw its lead swell to 9-1 following a six run, second inning.
Frazier proved to be the only offense in the outing for the Red and White. Frazier logged two of the Tigers' four hits and either drove in and scored the only UWA runs. Frazier led things off for the Tigers with a solo homerun in the first inning. The senior shortstop doubled to right field in the third inning to score Dallas Rogers, who singled to start the inning. Frazier crossed the dish in the fifth inning, rounding out the Red and White's scoring in the affair.
Cory Lopez (1-3) received the loss after tossing 1.2 innings. The Walker, La.-sophomore surrendered nine runs, eight earned, on four hits with five walks and a strikeout. Moses Munoz pitched the final 6.1 innings in relief, allowing one run on four hits with nine punch-outs and a pair of walks.
West Alabama and UAH close out the series on Sunday, Mar. 14. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The game will be available via live stats at www.uwaathletics.com.
