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Taylor C
Joe Chance
10
Winner West Alabama UWA 1-0
6
Columbus State CSU 0-1
Winner
West Alabama UWA
1-0
10
Final
6
Columbus State CSU
0-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
West Alabama UWA 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 10 14 2
Columbus State CSU 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 6 10 0

W: Nicolosi, Nathan (1-0) L: Grantham (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Tigers Open Season with Win at No. 3 Columbus State

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Taylor Clemmons and Trevor Smeeton had three hits each, with Clemmons driving in six runs, to lead West Alabama to a 10-6 college baseball victory over third-ranked Columbus State in the season-opener for both teams Friday at Burger King Stadium.
 
Clemmons made his first at bat as a Tiger a memorable one by raking a three-run homer over the left field wall in the top of the first inning. Clemmons drive in two more runs in the second with a single to stretch the Tiger lead to 5-0.
 
"We came out swinging the bat well early and ran the bases aggressively," UWA head coach Gary Rundles said. "We had a few more strikeouts than we would like, but we challenged in most every at bat.
 
"Clemmons and Smeeton swung the bat well," Rundles said, "but the guys who didn't do as well today can't hang their heads. This is just one game and there is a lot of season left."
 
Columbus State scratched out a run on a pair of hits in the bottom of the fourth. Kendall Ford drove in the run with a single.
 
West Alabama starter Cole Waites was chased in the bottom of the fifth, allowing two hits and two runs before giving way to reliever Kirby Osborn. Waites worked four-plus innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out seven, walking four and hitting three batters.
 
Nathan Nicolosi (1-0) picked up the win for UWA, allowing two hits over 2.1 scoreless innings. Nick Rathke got the final two outs of the game in a non-save situation. CSU reliever Trent Grantham (0-1) took the loss, allowing three hits and three runs in 3.1 innings pitched.
 
"Cole threw the ball well. Kirby, Nathan and Nick all did exactly what we expect them to do," Rundles said. "I am proud of the way we responded when we lost the lead. The key is how we respond to winning, if we can stay aggressive tomorrow."
 
A two-run homer by Robert Brooks sparked a three-run sixth inning for Columbus State, giving the Cougars a 6-5 lead. It was all the Cougars would get.
 
The Tigers picked up four runs on four hits, two walks and a passed ball in the eighth inning to secure the victory. RJ Brown drew a bases-loaded walk to get the inning started and later scored on the passed ball. Smeeton and Clemons drove in runs as well.
 
Jaylon Keys, Justin Booker and Ryan Hughes chipped in two hits apiece in a 14-hit West Alabama attack. Wyatt Ball belted a solo homer in the ninth for the final margin.
 
Kendall Ford had three hits and Brooks two in a 10-hit Cougar attack. Brooks drove in two runs.
 
West Alabama and Columbus State complete the three-game series with a Saturday doubleheader. First pitch is set for noon central time.
 
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