COLUMBUS, Ga. – The University of West Alabama baseball team capped off a series sweep Sunday afternoon with an 8–6 victory over Columbus State in cold conditions at Ragsdale Field, securing a 2–0 series win after Saturday's scheduled game was canceled due to an Extreme Cold Weather Advisory.
West Alabama (2-0) overcame an early deficit, used timely hitting throughout the lineup, and relied on key bullpen innings late to hold off multiple Cougar rallies and seal the sweep.
Columbus State (0-2) jumped out early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning with the help of two unearned runs. Despite the quick start by the Cougars, the Tigers answered immediately.
UWA got on the board in the second inning. Kyle Blevins Jr. scored on a fielding error, and Rashad Robinson followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to cut the deficit to 3–2.
The Tigers continued to chip away in the fourth inning, pushing across two runs to take their first lead of the game. Hudson Walburn drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run, and Aaron Wallace followed with another RBI walk, giving West Alabama a 4–3 advantage.
Layth Holiday delivered a clutch two-out RBI single in the top of the seventh to put UWA back in front, 5–3. Columbus State responded in the bottom half, scoring two runs to knot the game at five.
West Alabama created separation with a two-run eighth inning. Blevins Jr. drove in a run on a fielder's choice, and Wallace scored on a wild pitch to make it 7–5. The Cougars added another run in the eighth to trim the margin, but UWA added a critical insurance run in the ninth inning as Nick Wilson singled to left field to drive in Walburn, extending the lead to 8–6.
Columbus State threatened in the bottom of the ninth, but Cade Miller shut the door, striking out two and inducing a flyout to center to close out the win.
Offensively, West Alabama finished with 12 hits and showed balance throughout the lineup. Walburn went 2-for-5 with a double, RBI, and two runs scored, while Wilson finished 2-for-6 with an RBI. Holiday added two hits and a key RBI, and Wallace chipped in an RBI and scored once.
On the mound, five Tiger pitchers combined to hold the Cougars to just one earned run. Colin Woodham allowed three unearned runs over three innings, while Blake Westry and Jacob Marshall provided important middle relief. Miller earned the save with a clean ninth inning.
With the sweep, West Alabama opens the season undefeated and gains momentum early as the Tigers continue their 2026 campaign.
