MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The No. 11 University of West Alabama baseball team split Friday's Gulf South Conference doubleheader against Auburn Montgomery at the AUM Baseball Complex, falling 12-9 in game one before responding with a 6-3 victory in game two.
With the split, the Tigers move to 11-1 overall and 3-1 in GSC play and will look to claim the series Saturday, February 21 at 5 p.m.
Game One: UWA 9 - AUM 12
West Alabama battled back from an early deficit but could not overcome a four-run eighth inning in the opener.
Auburn Montgomery jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on six hits in the frame. The Tigers chipped away, plating three runs in the third behind an RBI walk from Rashad Robinson, a sacrifice fly by Aaron Wallace, and a wild pitch that allowed Will Wood to score.
After adding another run in the fourth on an RBI groundout by Kyle Blevins, UWA erupted for four runs in the sixth to take an 8-5 lead. Tanner Jones delivered a two-run single up the middle, Wallace added an RBI single, and Hudson Walburn followed with an RBI knock to cap the rally.
AUM answered with a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh to tie the game at 8-8. The Tigers briefly regained the lead in the eighth when Walburn reached on an error that allowed Wood to score, making it 9-8.
However, the Warhawks responded in the bottom half. After tying the game on a sacrifice fly, T. Burns delivered the decisive blow with a three-run home run to left center, giving AUM the 12-9 advantage.
Jones paced the Tigers offensively in game one, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Blevins added two hits and an RBI, while Wallace drove in two runs. West Alabama totaled 10 hits and drew four walks in the contest.
Baker Green started on the mound, striking out four over 4.0 innings. Cade Miller (1-1) was tagged with the loss.
Game Two: UWA 6 - AUM 3
West Alabama bounced back in game two, using a dominant start from Colin Woodham and a four-run seventh inning to secure the split.
The Tigers struck first in the opening inning when Nick Wilson singled through the left side to score Hayes Alford. AUM answered with a solo home run in the bottom half, and the teams traded runs again in the third as Austin Thacker delivered an RBI single to put UWA ahead 2-1.
Woodham (2-0) settled in from there, allowing just four hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings while striking out five.
After a scoreless stretch from the fourth through the sixth innings, West Alabama broke the game open in the seventh. Walburn crushed a two-run home run down the left field line to give the Tigers a 4-2 lead.
Later in the inning, Will Wood singled through the left side to drive in two more runs, extending the advantage to 6-2.
AUM added a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh, but Tyler Pierce closed the door to secure the 6-3 win.
Walburn led the Tigers in game two, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Blevins was a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk, while Alford added two hits. UWA finished with 13 hits and swiped four bases in the victory.
West Alabama will now look to capture the series Saturday evening as the Tigers aim to continue their strong start in conference play.
