LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Hits and runs were in short supply for the West Alabama baseball team, as it dropped its season opener 5-1 to Arkansas Monticello Tuesday afternoon at Tartt Field.
"We set the tone early when we didn't make some plays that we should've made," said head coach Gary Rundles of today's loss. He is optimistic about the season saying, "I saw enough things to where if we continue to work hard and do what we need to do, we are going win some baseball games. "
Scoring Plays
T1/ A costly walk and error led to Arkansas Monticello's first run of the competition. Senior pitcher Thomas Boothe took a minute getting warmed up, walking the Weevils first batter, Cade Thompson. The second baseman for UAM then stole second and advanced to third on an error by Tiger catcher Jonathan Thibodeau. Thompson eventually scored on a pass ball to put West Alabama in a 1-0 hole.
B1/The Tigers did not stay down long. West Alabama shortstop Colden Peeples took first base after being hit by a pitch. He then scored the only run for UWA on a single up the middle by junior third baseman Jake Nemith to tie things up at 1-1.
T3/ The Weevils took control of the game in the top of the third, blasting two singles to score two runners. Thompson scored another run for UAM, making it to the first bag on an error by the pitcher. Jordan Johnson collected the RBI on a single down the third baseline, scoring Thompson. Several plays later, Johnson made it across home plate on a single by Grant Shepherd to put UAM back on top, 3-1.
T8/ Back-to-back singles for Arkansas Monticello led to two runs for the Weevils. Cade Lockett led off with a single up the middle. It was followed by a single to left field by David Reyna. Scoring both, Chase Cripps shot a single to left-center for the two RBIs and a final score of 5-1.
AT BAT
West Alabama collected four hits, with second baseman Houston Kitterman leading the team with two, including one double. Preseason All-GSC Team and NCBWA DII Preseason South Region Team honoree Jake Nemith was responsible for UWA's lone RBI, hitting one single on four plate appearances.
Arkansas Monticello landed eight hits against the Tigers. Jordan Johnson and Clay Lockett collected two hits each, and Chase Cripps led the Weevils in scoring with two RBIs on one hit.
ON THE MOUND
Peyton Warren was credited with the loss on the mound for UWA. The Brentwood, Tenn. native entered the game in relief to pitch two innings for two hits against and two unearned runs.
Derek Potts took the win for the Weevils. The redshirt junior pitched four innings for one hit against and one strikeout.
UP NEXT
West Alabama will return to Tartt field on Friday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. for the first game of three-game series against Columbus State.
To stay connected with the UWA baseball team, follow @UWA_baseball on Twitter. General athletic news, along with game recaps and box scores, can be found at uwaathletics.com. Additional updates and information are available @UWAAthletics on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
