CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Alabama scored two runs in the fifth inning and three Tiger pitchers made it stand up as West Alabama defeated West Georgia, 2-1, on a frigid day for Gulf South Conference baseball at Cole Field.

West Alabama improved to 9-4 overall and 3-1 in the GSC on a day where the temperature never topped 28 degrees. West Georgia dropped to 7-4 and 1-3.

"The key to the whole day was the mental intensity we had to just play the game and not worry about the weather," UWA head coach Gary Rundles said. "I thought both teams did an outstanding job with that. We responded when we needed to."

West Georgia scored first, getting a run off two hits in the second inning. Drew Eady drove in Justin Croft who had reached on a fielder's choice.

Jake Bush singled to open the UWA fifth, moved to second when Tanner Rainey was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a fly ball to right field off the bat of Luigi Mendez for the first out. Brock Montgomery's sacrifice fly to left field chased Bush. Rainey then scored on a two-out double by Adam Chamblee.

"Usually on a cold day it is tough to click on offense, but we got timely hits," Rundles said. "Jorge Cruz was outstanding keeping them off balance, while Brock Ward and Tanner Rainey did a good job finishing it up."

Cruz (2-1) started and pitched the first seven innings for the win, allowing a run while scattering five hits, striking out one and walking one. Ward worked a perfect eighth inning for the hold before Rainey recorded the final three outs for his third save. West Georgia starter Matthew Norton (2-2) went the distance while taking the loss.

Bush had two hits and reached base three times to lead the UWA offensive attack, making him 10-for-17 over the last five games. He has also reached via four walks and was hit by a pitch over that span.

Payton Mann had two of West Georgia's five hits, all singles.

The Tigers and Wolves are scheduled to finish the series with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. central time on Saturday.