LIVINGSTON, Ala. – A fast start powered West Alabama to an 8-5 win over Tuskegee on Tuesday morning at Tartt Field. The Tigers put up eight runs in the first three innings and held off a late push from Tuskegee to improve to (4-5) on the season.  

West Alabama wasted no time, scoring five runs in the first inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Joe Watkins and a single from Nick Wilson. The Tigers capitalized on a pair of wild pitches and a sacrifice fly to extend their early lead. They tacked on two more in the second, including a sacrifice fly by Bryce Newman and Eli Burwash launched a solo home run in the third to make it an 8-0 game.  

Tuskegee responded in the fourth when Evan Jones hit a three-run homer to left field, cutting the deficit to five. The visitors added two more runs in the sixth on a two-run single from Rodney Mudd II, but West Alabama's bullpen held strong down the stretch.  

Judah Buckner (1-0) earned the win in relief, striking out three over 1.1 scoreless innings, while Jacob Marshall secured his first save of the season. Gates Pee and Beau Bryant combined for four solid innings to start the game, with Bryant allowing three runs.  

Burwash led UWA offensively, going 3-for-4 with a home run and an RBI, while Wilson and Watkins each added a hit and an RBI.  

With the win, West Alabama now turns its focus to Mississippi College on Friday, February 14th, at 3 p.m. on the road for their first GSC matchup of the season.