COLUMBUS, Ga. – Falling in its season opener, the University of West Alabama baseball team dropped an 8-2 decision to No. 11 Columbus State on Saturday afternoon at Ragsdale Field on the CSU campus. UWA starts the new campaign at 0-1, while the Cougars begin at 1-0.

Two plays highlighted the day for the Tigers as newcomer Micah Reeves made a strong debut as he cut what was a four-run deficit in half with a two-run bomb over the left field fence in the sixth inning to make the score 4-2.

Reaves' blast was one of UWA's five hits on the day.

The other highlight came defensively as fellow newcomer Ladarrius Cole made an amazing play to rob Cameron Scott of a hit for extra bases in the gap in right-center. Cole covered a lot of ground in just getting to the ball but then also perfectly timed his leap to snag the ball out of the air, ending the inning and keeping UWA within two.

The Cougars struck first in the contest, scoring three runs in the bottom half of the first despite only recording one hit. They did however take advantage of five walks issued by UWA starter Colter Millican.

Millican picked up the loss as he lasted four innings and gave up four runs while issuing three other free passes for a total of eight on the day.

Josh Varner was effective in relief as he pitched 2.2 innings, striking out three and holding the hosts at bay until CSU was able to get to him in their half of the seventh. Varner was one out from getting out of the inning despite an error earlier in the frame, but Navarro Hall picked up a two-run single to push the CSU lead out to 6-2.

Another run scored later in the inning to have three charged to Varner, but none were earned.

Scott would not be denied in the eighth as he tacked on the Cougars' final run of the contest with a homer to right.

The two teams will wrap up the weekend series with a doubleheader on Sunday. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 11 a.m. CST. Both contests will be broadcasted on ESPN 104.9 and www.espn1049.com.

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