LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama baseball team is set to take the field at Tartt Field one last time in 2025 as the Tigers host Spring Hill College on Tuesday, April 22, at 5 p.m.
The non-conference clash marks UWA's final home game of the season, and the Tigers look to close out their time in Livingston with a win in front of their home crowd.
West Alabama (23-22, 15-15 GSC) enters the midweek matchup after winning its last four contests, including a key Gulf South Conference sweep over Lee University. Tuesday's contest gives UWA a chance to carry momentum into the final stretch of the regular season.
The Tigers have been anchored offensively by the trio of
Blake Vineyard,
Joe Watkins, and
Nick Wilson. Vineyard leads the team with a .310 batting average and eight home runs, while Watkins boasts a team-best 1.015 OPS and 85 total bases, including nine home runs and 11 doubles. Wilson adds consistent production with a .301 average and a .412 on-base percentage.
The Tigers have leaned on a steady rotation of arms during their midweek contests, with
Grainger West,
Beau Bryant, and
Laney Keeton all seeing starts in those spots. West has been effective at keeping hitters off-balance with his command, while Bryant continues to provide consistent outings with good tempo on the mound. Keeton has shown flashes of dominance as well, giving the staff another reliable option for non-conference matchups. The bullpen remains deep, with multiple arms ready to bridge the gap to the late innings and keep UWA competitive in every game.
Defensively, the Tigers have been strong behind the plate and in the field, with several players holding perfect fielding percentages, including
Thomas Watson (42 chances) and
Will Wood (27 chances).
Spring Hill will enter the game as a regional opponent and is looking like one of the hottest teams in the SIAC, the Spring Hill College Badgers (34-10, 27-2 SIAC). Spring Hill comes in riding high behind a dominant offense and a solid pitching staff that has helped them notch wins in 18 of their last 20 contests.
Spring Hill features one of the most potent lineups in Division II baseball, boasting a team batting average of .330 and 47 home runs across 44 games. Jackson Bell leads the charge with a .415 batting average, 15 doubles, and six homers. AJ Swader (.379 AVG, 10 HR, 52 RBI) and Seth Williams (.375 AVG, 54 RBI, 18 stolen bases) provide a powerful and consistent presence in the middle of the order. Eight different players have driven in 20 or more runs this season.
On the basepaths, the Badgers are aggressive, swiping 120 bags in 135 attempts, led by Reggie Cooper (29-for-31) and Williams (18-for-20).
Spring Hill's pitching staff holds a team ERA of 4.42, led by Justin Miles (2.35 ERA, 5-2) and Korey Bunselmeyer (9-1, 3.32 ERA). The Badgers have racked up 331 strikeouts in 342 innings while holding opponents to a .266 average. Their bullpen is headlined by Kai St. Germaine, who owns a 1.62 ERA and two saves in 13 appearances.
UWA will need to limit extra-base hits and stay disciplined at the plate against a staff that works the zone. Controlling the Badgers' running game and keeping traffic off the basepaths will be key to slowing down one of the South Region's top offenses.
First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Fans unable to attend can follow the game via live stats and streaming links available at uwaathletics.com.
