LIVINGSTON, Ala. – West Alabama extended its winning streak to six games with a 5-0 Gulf South Conference victory over Mississippi College Friday at Tartt Field.
 
The victory improves the Tigers to 17-8 overall and 10-5 in GSC play. The Choctaws dropped to 9-15 and 2-13.
 
"This team is really maturing," UWA head coach Gary Rundles said. "We are at the point in the season where we are getting better, getting more confident and handling adversity better."
 
Jorge Cruz and Tanner Rainey combined for the shutout, raising the number of consecutive innings that Tiger pitchers have not allowed an earned run to 26. The UWA pitching staff has not allowed a run in GSC play over the last 19 innings.
 
Cruz (5-2) went eight innings, striking out five, walking none and scattering seven hits for the win. Rainey, the UWA closer, worked the ninth in a non-save situation and struck out the side.
 
Mississippi College starter Brooks Fortenberry (2-2) absorbed the loss. West Alabama came into the game 0-4 this season against left handed pitching before scoring four runs on six hits against Fortenberry.
 
"I was glad to see Jorge throw it well tonight. That's three games in a row now," Rundles said. "His fifth, sixth and seventh innings were better than his one through four. Our pitching keeps putting us in a position to win."
 
Nick Delgado had a pair of single to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and his batting average to .475. Rainey also had two hits, one a triple to lead off the seventh inning. Adam Chamblee tripled him home one out later and scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Jack Cockrum.
 
Parker Madden started the scoring for West Alabama with his second home run of the season, a shot over the left field wall with two outs in the third inning. Delgado singled, stole second and scored on a throwing error by Choctaws' catcher Caleb Upton in the fourth.  Rainey drove in Delgado for the final UWA run in the eighth inning.
 
"Parker sparked us with the long ball after a double play," Rundles said. "Nick Delgado has really been a spark plug. When he is in there it is 'all go' and the other players feed off his energy."
 
Kyle Smith, Hunter Bolin and Hunter Hall had two hits apiece for Mississippi College.
 
The two teams are scheduled to finish the three-game series with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday at Tart Field.