LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The West Alabama baseball team took on Mississippi College in a doubleheader on Saturday to close out the three-game series. Strong offensive plays allowed the Tigers to overcome a six-point deficit in game one as they won 13-12 in an extra inning, but strong pitching and unfortunate errors caused UWA to drop game two, 8-4.
Despite losing the final game, the Tigers still took the series from the Choctaws, 2-1, and improved to 3-10 on the season and 2-1 in the Gulf South Conference.
GAME ONE
In the first game at Tartt Field, West Alabama sent out senior hurler Thomas Boothe against MC right-hander Jackson Bridges. omas Booth cruised through the first inning, allowing zero hits with two strikeouts, but Bridges struggled a bit with the top of the Tiger lineup.
Leadoff hitter Kyle Vogler connected for a single to left field but got out on a fielder's choice that put Jake Nemith on base. Following a Nemith second base steal, Brayden Lyman skipped a double down the rightfield line for an RBI and a score of 1-0.
The Choctaws answered in the top of the second inning, scoring two runs on three hits for a 2-1 advantage over UWA.
In the bottom of third, the Tigers tied it at 2 as Josh Bower singled to score Gavin Rogers.
UWA added a third run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Vogler that allowed Houston Kitterman to reach home plate. West Alabama reclaimed the lead at 3-2.
A single run in the fifth and two in the sixth put Mississippi College back on top 5-3. The Choctaws extended their lead by six runs with a robust five-run frame in the top of the seventh. After a single, a double, and a walk loaded the bases, MC scored a run on a walk. A triple scored three runners, and a flyout to center field put the Choctaws ahead, 10-3.
In the bottom side, UWA cut MC's lead to 10-5 scoring runs on a flyout and a ground out.
The Choctaws added one in the eighth but not to be outdone, the Tigers sent five runners home in the same inning.
Brayden Lyman scored two runners on a double, and Rogers scored three on a homer to left field to get within one of Mississippi College's lead, 11-10.
Davis Ferguson took over pitching duties for West Alabama in the ninth inning. In the top of the inning, he set down three MC batters. Two struck out looking, and two struck out swinging.
In the bottom, the Tiger offense took over to tie the game at 11 and force the extra inning. After entering the game to pinch run for Jonathan Thibodeau, Sam Smith scored on an error by MC's second baseman.
MC returned to the lead in the tenth, scoring a run on a single.
In the bottom frame, UWA claimed the win and took the series by taking advantage of Choctaw miscues. Nemith scored a run on an error by the left fielder, and Garland Curley scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch.
At the plate, West Alabama produced 13 runs on 13 hits, led by Rogers, who went 1-for-4 with one home run and four RBIs. Lyman added three RBIs of his own, going 2-for-5 with one double.
Taking the mound in the final inning, Mason Hollander (1-1) was credited with the win. He pitched 1.0 innings for one strikeout.
GAME TWO
The second game of the doubleheader pitted UWA righty Peyton Warren against MC pitcher Austin Huggins. A real pitcher's duel opened with a scoreless first, with both tossing a quick one-two-three outing.
The silence was broken in the bottom of the second inning as Rogers led off the bottom frame with a single to third base. Jacobey Hawthorne added a second hit in the frame, doubling to right field for two RBIs to give UWA a 2-0 advantage.
The Choctaws had a strong reply in the top of the third. A double scored three MC runners, and a sacrifice added a fourth to take the lead 4-2.
It would be the bottom of the fifth inning before West Alabama added additional runs. The Tigers tied the game at 4 on a double by Nemith that scored Kitterman and an error that scored Nemith.
The game was decided in the seventh inning. Mississippi College took the win, scoring four runs in the frame on six hits and one error.
Hawthorne led the Tigers at the plate with a 2-for-3 appearance with a double and two RBIs.
Warren took the loss, pitching 6.0 innings for six hits against, five earned runs (seven total), and six strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Tigers return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 23, when they host Spring Hill College for a single game. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m.
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.
