MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Behind a dominant outing from Baker Green and timely hitting late, the No. 9 University of West Alabama baseball team opened its Gulf South Conference series with a 5-2 victory over Christian Brothers on Friday afternoon.
The Tigers improve to 13-2 overall and 6-1 in GSC play, while the Buccaneers fall to 2-12 (0-7 GSC).
Green turned in one of the best performances of his career, striking out a career-high 13 batters over 6.1 innings of work. The right-hander allowed just three hits and two runs while walking three, consistently overpowering the CBU lineup.
He recorded 13 strikeouts before exiting in the seventh, finishing as part of a 15-strikeout day for the Tigers' pitching staff.
Ryan Ladner provided key relief in the seventh, working out of a jam to preserve the lead, and Cade Miller closed the final two innings to secure the win.
West Alabama struck first in the second inning when Kyle Blevins lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Nick Wilson for a 1-0 advantage.
Christian Brothers answered in the bottom half of the frame as Cayden Freels connected for a two-run homer to give the Buccaneers a 2-1 lead.
From there, Green settled in, retiring nine straight batters at one point and keeping CBU off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
The Tigers regained control in the fifth inning. After Rashad Robinson doubled and Will Wood advanced into scoring position, Hayes Alford delivered a clutch two-run double to left-center, putting West Alabama back on top, 3-2.
Alford finished with two RBIs, while Robinson scored once and reached base three times.
West Alabama added breathing room in the eighth, capitalizing on defensive miscues by the Buccaneers, who committed five errors in the contest.
Austin Thacker, who went 3-for-5 at the plate, came around to score during the rally, and Layth Holiday crossed the plate after drawing a bases-loaded walk situation to push the lead to 5-2.
The Tigers totaled 11 hits in the win, with Wilson and Thacker combining for five hits at the top of the order. Blevins added an RBI, while Robinson contributed a double and two walks.
Christian Brothers threatened in the seventh and eighth innings, but the Tigers' bullpen held firm. Ladner induced key outs in the seventh, and Miller worked around traffic in the eighth before tossing a clean ninth to close it out.
West Alabama committed no errors defensively and continued its strong play in all three phases.
The Tigers and Buccaneers will continue the series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. as West Alabama looks to secure the GSC road series win.
