LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Big innings were a key in both games as No. 24 West Alabama and Columbus State split a college baseball doubleheader Saturday at Tartt Field.
 
Columbus State (2-1) broke open a tie game with a five-run seventh inning to notch a 7-1 win in the first game. West Alabama (1-2) opened the second game by scoring five runs in the first inning on the way to a 6-3 win.
 
"We came out and capitalized on a few hits early in game two," UWA head coach Gary Rundles said. "It was good to see some young folks play well when they got their chance."
 
CSU reliever Jalen Latta (1-0) picked up the win in game one in relief of starter Perez Knowles, pitching four innings of one-hit, shutout baseball. UWA reliever Carlos Amador (0-1) was tagged with the game one loss, allowing four runs on four hits in relief of starter JT Salter, who struck out 10 in five innings.
 
"JT Salter threw outstanding in game one," Rundles said. "We just had the one inning that we didn't execute and let things get away from us."
 
Steffon Moore (1-0) earned the win in the second game, allowing a run and two hits over four innings while walking three and striking out four. Ryan Rigby coaxed a ground ball out to earn his first save after coming into a two-out, bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning with UWA holding a three-run lead.
 
West Alabama redshirt freshman designated hitter Gavin Rogers went 3-for-7 in the twinbill, driving in a pair of runs. Austin Moffett was 3-for-8 with a pair of doubles. By doubling in each of UWA's first three games, Moffett owns every Tiger extra base hit of the young season. Freshman second baseman Colden Peeples drove in a pair of runs with a single in his first collegiate at bat in game two.
 
"Gavin Rogers swung the bat well all day and we just executed better in the game we won," Rundles said. "It wasn't the weekend that we wanted, but we didn't fold our tent when we had the opportunity to."
 
Frank Wager managed a pair of hits and drove in two runs for Columbus State over the two games. Grant Berry and Robert Brooks both had two hits in the first game for the Cougars.
 
Both teams were limited to just four hits in their respective losses.
 
West Alabama travels to West Georgia to begin a three-game series on Friday against the Wolves. Columbus State travels to Albany State on Wednesday.