LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The West Alabama baseball team recorded its first home victory of the season, defeating Mississippi College, 9-7, in the first game of the conference series. The Tigers move to 2-9 overall and 1-0 in the Gulf South Conference, while the Choctaws fall to 2-7 and 0-1.
UWA corrected a problem seen in the past couple of home games of leaving runners on base. Against the Choctaws, the Tigers were more successful in getting runners home with only four-stranded at the end while MC had six.
In the matchup, Mississippi College outhit West Alabama 10-7 while committing more miscues 5-1. The Tigers capitalized on the errors, with four runs coming in as unearned.
Brenton Thiels took his first victory on the mound as a Tiger as the starting pitcher for UWA Friday afternoon. The right-hander from Otis, La. pitched 5.1 innings for seven hits against, five runs (four earns), one walk, and two strikeouts.
Three additional West Alabama pitchers took the mound against the Choctaws, with Mason Hollander entering the final frame for the save. The Tuscumbia, Ala. native pitched one inning for three strikeouts.
Brayden Lyman headed the UWA offense. The graduate student from Land O'Lakes, Fla., had a 2-for-4 plate appearance with a home run, three runs, and three RBIs.
Joseph Cumo was one inning shy of a complete game, occupying the hill for seven innings and a loss for MC. The right-hander from Canton, Ga. saw seven hits against, nine runs (five earned), one walk, and three strikeouts.
On the top side of the innings, Ken Scott led at the plate with a 3-for-5 appearance for a home run, two runs, and two RBIs.
SCORING
T1/ Lane Willis singled through the right side then scored on a ground out to third base by Ken Scott. MC 1, UWA 0.
B1/ West Alabama capitalized on three errors to score four runs in the bottom frame. Kyle Vogler reached base on an error by the MC shortstop and came home on a wild pitch. Jake Nemith was hit by a pitch and scored a run on an error by the second baseman. Jacob Messina hit a two-RBI double down the left line to score Gavin Rogers and Brayden Lyman, who reached first base on errors. UWA 4, MC 1.
B2/ Colden Peeples walked. Kyle Vogler singled on a bunt. Lyman homered to left-center to bring three runners home. UWA 7, MC 1
T5/ A pitch hit Derrek Lathon, Jr. Cody Crifasi singled to left field. Markarius Lee singled through the left side to score Lathon and Crifasi. UWA 7, MC 3
B5/ Lyman singled through the right side. Gavin Rogers doubled down the left line to score Lyman. Josh Bower doubled down the left line to send Rogers home. UWA 9, MC 3
T6/ Scott hit a home run past third base. Tristan Tigrett doubled, stole third, and then scored on a ground out. UWA 9, MC 5
T8/ Scott singled up the middle, advanced to second on a walk, stole third, and scored a run on a single by Lance Wade. Lathon made it to base on balls and scored on a single through the left side by Crifasi. UWA 9, MC 7
UP NEXT
The Tigers and the Choctaws return to Tartt Field on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m. for the final two games of the three-game series.
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.
