LIVINGSTON, Ala. – West Alabama struck first, but Mississippi College used a strong second half to take an 8-3 victory over the Tigers on Tuesday at Tartt Field in a non-conference matchup.

The Tigers (16-12) got on the board in the third inning when Joe Watkins delivered a two-run double down the left-field line, plating Austin Thacker and Ryan Fletcher for a 2-0 lead. Mississippi College (18-9) answered in the fourth with a pair of runs, including a sacrifice fly from Tyler Jacobsen and an RBI double from Cade Gadman to even the game at 2-2.

West Alabama briefly regained the lead in the bottom half of the fourth when Thacker's sacrifice fly brought home Bryce Newman, making it 3-2. However, the Choctaws responded in the sixth inning when Alex Johnson's two-run single pushed them ahead 4-3.

Mississippi College pulled away in the seventh, capitalizing on timely hitting and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to extend the lead to 8-3. J.T. Vance and Logan Shurden contributed key RBI singles during the four-run frame.

UWA finished with seven hits, with Watkins leading the way, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Fletcher reached base three times, collecting a hit and two walks, while Newman added a pair of hits and a run scored.

Beau Bryant had a strong start for the Tigers, allowing just one run on one hit with four strikeouts over three innings. Davis Gaston (0-1) took the loss, giving up two runs without recording an out in the sixth.

For the Choctaws, Dylan Cope (2-0) earned the win with 1.1 innings of relief, surrendering just one hit while striking out one. Mississippi College totaled eight hits, with Shurden and Johnson each driving in two runs.

West Alabama will look to bounce back when they return to GSC play on Friday, March 21, hosting Delta State at 5 p.m. at Tartt Field.