Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – West Alabama scored seven runs in the top of the fourth inning to beat Miles College 12-8 at Rickwood Field on Wednesday.

“I thought it was a sloppy game all the way around,” said UWA head coach Gary Rundles.

“Pitching sets the tone of the game and we didn't pitch well early. Miles didn't get enough runs to win the game but I thought they played well enough to win it. We had a few guys in the lineup that were locked in, but the rest of them weren't focused enough at the plate.

West Alabama now improves 11-12 this season while Miles College falls to 4-10.

Luke Macdonald (1-0) replaced Josh Wirnsberger in the third inning to record his first win of the season. Macdonald gave up only two hits and struck out four Miles batters through two innings. Dylan Shelton (0-2) gave up nine runs and eight hits in three innings to pick up the loss.

West Alabama's senior first baseman DJ Turo hit his fourth home run of the season in the top of the first inning to give the Tigers their first lead of the game at 2-0. Turo ended the game with three runs, two hits and three RBI's. Freshman shortstop Joel Murphy hit a two run home run, his career first, in the top of the third. Murphy ended with one run, two hits and two RBI's.

Chase Williams led the Golden Bears at the plate with one run, three hits and three RBI's. Austin Freeman led with three runs. 

West Alabama now returns to Gulf South conference action to take on Valdosta State in its first conference road series on March 16 and 17. Game one is set for 2:30 (C.S.T.)

 “We are going to have to play better this weekend or we're going to be in trouble,” said Rudles.

“I'm looking forward to this weekend. I think some of our guys were already looking ahead towards the weekend. When we got behind today we saw a spark from our guys, but this weekend we will have to be locked in for nine innings.”