LIVINGSTON, Ala. – West Alabama Baseball secured a crucial Gulf South Conference sweep over Lee University on Senior Day from Tartt Field, taking both games of the doubleheader to propel themselves over .500 at 23-22 overall and 15-15 in GSC play.
Game 1: UWA 2, Lee 1
West Alabama took advantage of timely hitting and strong pitching in the opener, edging Lee 2-1 in a pitchers' duel.
The Tigers struck in the fifth inning when
Austin Thacker reached and later scored on an RBI single from
Eli Burwash.
Joe Watkins followed by crossing the plate on a
Blake Vineyard RBI single to give UWA a 2-0 advantage.
Baker Green turned in a solid start, tossing five shutout innings with four strikeouts to earn his second win of the season. The bullpen held firm, with
Judah Buckner shutting the door in the ninth to earn his fourth save of the year. Lee managed one run in the eighth on an RBI single, but UWA's defense stayed sharp, turning a double play and committing no errors.
Game 2: UWA 7, Lee 2
The Tigers' bats came alive in the second game as they powered their way to a 7-2 victory.
After falling behind on a solo homer in the second inning, West Alabama responded in a big way.
Tanner Jones tied the game with a fielder's choice RBI before Thacker launched a three-run home run to left to give UWA a 4-1 lead.
In the sixth,
Joe Watkins sealed the deal with a three-run blast of his own to extend the lead to 7-2. Watkins finished 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs, while Thacker added three RBIs and two runs scored.
Bryant Quimby was dominant on the mound, throwing a complete game with seven hits, two earned runs, and five strikeouts to improve to 6-5 on the year.
Prior to game one, UWA recognized its senior class: 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 for their contributions to the program.
The Tigers return to Tartt Field on Tuesday, April 22nd, for the final home game of the season and a non-conference matchup against Spring Hill College. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
