LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama baseball team has officially arrived on the national stage.
For the first time this season, the Tigers entered three national Top 25 polls on Tuesday, checking in at No. 21 in the D2Baseball.com Top 25 Poll, No. 16 in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Top 25 Coaches Poll, and No. 11 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) National Top 25 Poll.
The rankings come on the heels of West Alabama's historic 10-0 start, the best opening stretch in program history. The Tigers are also 3-0 in Gulf South Conference play for the first time since 2013, setting the tone early in league competition.
Offensive Firepower
West Alabama has been one of the most explosive offenses in the region, hitting .304 as a team with an .891 OPS through 10 games. The Tigers have scored 87 runs on 97 hits, including 13 doubles, four triples, and eight home runs, while drawing 61 walks and posting a .446 on-base percentage.
Nick Wilson has paced the lineup with a .462 batting average and a 1.287 OPS, collecting 18 hits, three home runs, and 16 RBIs. Rashad Robinson has been equally dynamic, batting .351 with three home runs, 14 RBIs, and a perfect 6-for-6 mark in stolen bases.
Hudson Walburn (.333 AVG) and Aaron Wallace (.281 AVG) have provided steady production in the middle of the order, while Peyton Moss has delivered in limited action, hitting .500 with a 1.636 OPS.
As a team, the Tigers have also been aggressive on the bases, swiping 16 bags in 21 attempts.
Dominant on the Mound
The Tigers' pitching staff has been just as impressive, posting a 2.33 team ERA and a 1.04 WHIP while holding opponents to a .197 batting average. In 85 innings of work, UWA has allowed just 22 earned runs and struck out 75 batters.
Blake Westry leads the rotation with a 0.71 ERA in 12.2 innings, while Thomas Kerby owns a 1.32 ERA and a 2-0 record. Baker Green (1.64 ERA) and Colin Woodham (2.84 ERA) have added depth to the starting corps.
Out of the bullpen, Cade Miller and Camden Lyke have each been lights out, combining for three saves without allowing an earned run. Tyler Pierce has also been effective late, posting a 1.93 ERA with nine strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
National Recognition Earned
West Alabama's balanced attack ranking among the national leaders in ERA while also averaging 8.7 runs per game has quickly turned heads across Division II baseball.
Now ranked in all three major national polls, the Tigers will look to continue their unbeaten run and solidify their place among the nation's elite as Gulf South Conference play continues.
With history already made and momentum building, West Alabama's early-season statement is impossible to ignore.
