LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Hot bats and untimely errors cost West Alabama both games in a doubleheader against Columbus State on Saturday. Over both competitions, the Cougars scored 40 runs with 28 hits to defeat the Tigers, 20-4 and 20-1. UWA falls to 0-3 on the season as CSU (2-0) collects the wins.
GAME ONE
The Cougars started strong in game one, scoring four runs in the first inning. Columbus added a run in the third and a run in the fourth to lead West Alabama, 6-0.
Jake Nemith scored the first run for the Tigers on an error by the Cougars shortstop. The All-GSC preseason honoree had a great at-bat to get in position, doubling down the left-field line to make it to second base.
Both teams went scoreless in the fifth inning, while the sixth was fruitful. At the top of the frame, CSU brought home eight runners on five hits and one error.
In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers scored three to cut the Cougars lead. A bases-loaded walk scored Colden Peeples. Then, Connor Christian singled to right field for 2 RBIs. The Tigers trailed Columbus State, 14-4.
The Cougars continued to score in the seventh, adding six additional runs for the 20-4 victory.
Christian's two-RBI single led the Tigers in scoring. Nemith had the best overall performance with a 2-for-3 appearance for one double and two runs.
Brenton Thiels (0-1) started the game for UWA and was credited with the loss on the mound. He pitched 4.0 innings for four earned runs, three strikeouts, and five hits against.
GAME TWO
The Cougars struck again in the first inning, with a run on a passed ball. In the third, they added another run to grab a 2-0 advantage over the Tigers.
Columbus State caught fire in the subsequent two frames, adding eight in the fourth and nine in the fifth. The Cougars scored their last run of the day in the sixth to lead West Alabama 20-0.
Going into the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers appeared to be headed to their first shutout. Rashad Blount prevented the goose egg with a single to right field to score Garland Curley.
Nemith and Jacob Messina had two hits in the second game against the Cougars. Nemith had four plate appearances, and Messina had three.
Blount recorded the Tigers only RBI, and Curley scored the run.
Thomas Boothe (0-2) received his second pitching loss of the season. The senior from Fairhope, Ala., pitched 3.1 innings for four earned runs, five strikeouts, and five hits against.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will return to Tartt Field on Sunday, Feb. 6, to take on Columbus State in the final game of the three-game series. The first pitch is set for 1 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.
