LIVINGSTON, Ala. – With Gulf South Conference Tournament positioning on the line, the University of West Alabama baseball team hits the road for a pivotal three-game set against West Florida this weekend at Jim Spooner Field in Pensacola, Florida. The series begins Friday, April 11 at 5 p.m. and concludes with a Saturday doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
The Tigers (19-19, 12-12 GSC) enter the weekend sitting sixth in the GSC standings, firmly in the hunt for a postseason berth. UWA is looking to bounce back from a series loss the last weekend and build momentum with only three series remaining in the regular season.
West Alabama's offense is led by a trio of consistent bats in
Blake Vineyard,
Joe Watkins, and
Nick Wilson. Vineyard paces the Tigers with a .315 batting average and has driven in 29 runs with seven home runs. Watkins owns a .304 average and boasts a team-best .457 on-base percentage thanks to 25 walks and 11 hit-by-pitches. Wilson has chipped in a .300 average with 27 RBIs and 39 hits.
The Tigers have shown flashes of power with 35 home runs on the season, led by Vineyard and
Jake Goolsby, who has added seven homers of his own. However, UWA is hitting just .247 as a team and will look to string together more consistent at-bats this weekend.
On the pitching side,
Bryant Quimby has been the ace of the rotation, compiling a 5-4 record with a 2.65 ERA across 57.2 innings. He has struck out 51 and allowed just two home runs all season.
Judah Buckner has been lights out in relief, holding opponents to a .049 batting average with 19 strikeouts in 13.1 innings and three saves. Look for Max Schumacher and
Baker Green to also play key roles on the mound in the series. As a team, the Tigers hold a 4.82 ERA and have struck out 249 batters while limiting opponents to a .264 average.
The West Florida Argonauts (23-15) head into this next GSC matchup riding momentum as one of the conference's most well-rounded squads. With a 15-9 league record, UWF currently holds the fourth spot in the GSC standings and continues to push toward a strong postseason position.
The Argos' offense is paced by Brantley Willis, who enters the contest batting an impressive .385 with a team-best 1.042 OPS, 14 doubles, and 32 RBI. Brett Rowell and Alex Urias have been just as effective at the plate, both hitting well over .330 and combining for 52 RBI. Rowell also brings some pop with six home runs and a .565 slugging percentage.
Cade Easterbrook has shown great plate discipline with 31 walks and an OBP of .428, while Parker Tubb and Dom Presto have added speed on the basepaths, contributing to West Florida's 56 stolen bases this season.
UWF's pitching staff boasts one of the deepest rotations in the league. Dalton Neuschwander has been dominant with a 2.22 ERA across 56.2 innings and 49 strikeouts. He's been complemented by Jacob Heath (2.70 ERA) and Grant Adams, who has picked up six wins despite a 5.82 ERA.
Out of the bullpen, Chase Stanhope has been outstanding with a 1.03 ERA and .144 opponent batting average, while Brantley Willis has also contributed on the mound, picking up three saves.
With GSC tournament seeding tightening up, every inning matters from here on out. The Tigers will look to make a statement in Pensacola and return home with a critical series win.
Live coverage and stats will be available through West Alabama Athletics.
