LIVINGSTON, Ala. – West Alabama baseball erupted for 17 runs on 10 hits in a high-scoring 17-10 victory over Tuskegee Tuesday afternoon at Tartt Field.

The Tigers used explosive innings and power at the plate to outlast the Golden Tigers in a back-and-forth battle.

Joe Watkins led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, five runs scored, two RBIs, a walk, and a stolen base. Thomas Watson also left the yard twice, collecting five RBIs on a 2-for-4 day. Eli Burwash added a grand slam in the third inning to cap a five-run frame that shifted momentum in UWA's favor.

After falling behind 3-0 in the first, Watkins responded with a solo shot to get UWA on the board. The Tigers then plated four more in the second, highlighted by a two-run blast from Watson and a sac fly by Blake Vineyard to take a 5-4 lead. Tuskegee responded with three runs in the third, but Burwash's grand slam swung things back to West Alabama, giving the Tigers a 10-7 advantage they wouldn't relinquish.

Watson's second homer of the day came in the fourth inning and drove in three more, followed by Watkins' second homer in the fifth to extend the lead to 14-9. UWA sealed the game with a three-run seventh, thanks to a Tuskegee error and a two-RBI single from Cade Horton.

Seven UWA pitchers took the mound, with Albert Hernandez (1-0) earning the win after a third-inning appearance. He struck out three in one inning of work. Despite 14 hits from Tuskegee, UWA's timely hitting and opportunistic baserunning made the difference. 

Up next, West Alabama (20-22) will host Lee University in a three-game Gulf South Conference series beginning Friday, April 18 at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. The Tigers will celebrate Senior Day in between Saturday's contests at Tartt Field.