LIVINGSTON, Ala. – With postseason aspirations still alive, the University of West Alabama baseball team gears up for its final home series of the season against Gulf South Conference rival Lee University. The three-game series begins Friday, April 18 at 5 p.m., followed by a Senior Day doubleheader on Saturday, April 19, starting at 1 p.m. The Senior Day ceremony will take place between games.
The Tigers (20-22, 12-15 GSC) will look to finish strong at Tartt Field and improve their position in the GSC standings as they face a competitive Flames squad. Saturday's festivities will recognize 15 UWA seniors for their contributions to the program: RJ Fletcher, Bryce Newman, Joe Watkins, Blake Vineyard, Jake Goolsby, Eli Burwash, Cade Horton, Bryant Quimby, Nick Thibodeau, Albert Hernandez, Gates Pee, Graham Holland, Maxwell Schumacher, Jack Hoppenjans, and Davis Gaston.
Senior outfielder Joe Watkins headlines the Tiger offense, leading the team in on-base percentage (.458), walks (26), and hit-by-pitches (13), while also contributing eight home runs and 29 RBIs. Nick Wilson and Blake Vineyard have matched Watkins in batting average, each hitting .313. Vineyard has provided a power boost with eight homers and 32 RBIs, while Wilson has driven in 28.
Eli Burwash (.276 AVG, .387 OBP) and Jake Goolsby (7 HRs, 25 RBIs) round out a solid core of veteran hitters. As a team, the Tigers have slugged 41 home runs and tallied 209 RBIs, while also stealing 44 bases on 64 attempts.
On the mound, senior Bryant Quimby has been UWA's ace, boasting a 2.71 ERA over 63 innings with 56 strikeouts and a .243 opponent batting average. Fellow senior Maxwell Schumacher has added over 50 innings of work with 35 punchouts, while Judah Buckner has been lights out in relief, allowing no runs and just two hits in 14 innings, with 21 strikeouts.
Gates Pee, another senior, has seen action in 15 games this season and picked up a win and a save over 24.1 innings of work.
Lee enters the matchup with a 23-19 overall record and a 15-12 mark in Gulf South Conference play. The Flames are coming off a strong offensive stretch, powered by standout performances at the plate.
Luke Collier leads the team with a .412 batting average and a 1.107 OPS. The senior has collected 68 hits, including 12 doubles, eight triples, and two home runs, while also swiping eight bases. JJ Williams adds another consistent bat, hitting .343 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs, while Isaiah French contributes a .322 average and is perfect in stolen base attempts (14-for-14).
As a team, the Flames are batting .286 and have stolen 104 bases in 115 attempts, showcasing a mix of speed and power throughout the lineup.
On the mound, Cooper Casteel anchors the pitching staff with a 6-3 record and a 2.76 ERA across 62 innings pitched. The Flames' pitching staff holds a combined 5.15 ERA with 280 strikeouts on the season.
With the regular season winding down, this weekend represents one last chance for fans to catch the Tigers at home and to honor a decorated senior class that has left its mark on the program.
