JACKSON, Tenn. - The University of West Alabama Baseball team swept their Saturday doubleheader against the Union Bulldogs, winning Game One, 6-5, and Game Two, 4-1, to win the series.
No. 8 West Alabama (25-7, 16-5 GSC) got solid starts from Blake Westry and Colin Woodham while their offense poured in 10 runs on 19 hits against Union (13-20, 5-16 GSC).
GAME ONE: UWA 6, UU 5
Westry got the start to begin the day for the Tigers, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing just three earned runs.
UWA built an early lead with six runs in the first three innings, highlighted by a two-run homer from Kyle Blevins and multiple base hits. The Bulldogs made a late push with two runs in the ninth but fell short as West Alabama held on for the win.
In the first inning, Rashad Robinson reached first on an error, stole two bases, and scored on Hudson Walburn's groundout to put the Tigers on the board.
In the second inning, Jack Buening singled before Blevins hit a two-run homer to dead center to extend West Alabama's lead. Union responded with two runs on a double by Joseph Hufstedler, but UWA still took a one-run lead into the third.
The Tigers expanded its lead in the third inning. Nick Wilson doubled, followed by an RBI-single from Blevins. A wild pitch and a Layth Holiday RBI-double added two more runs to give West Alabama a 6-2 lead.
Union scored in the fifth inning with an RBI single from Kylon Joyner, narrowing the gap to 6-3.
The Bulldogs made a late push in the ninth inning. Jordan Allen's double scored two runs, before Tyler Pierce secured the final out, preserving West Alabama's narrow victory.Â
Blevins led the team with two hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs, contributing significantly to UWA's scoring. Robinson demonstrated speed on the bases, successfully stealing three bases and scoring one run. Wilson added a double to his stat line, scoring once and tallying one hit in the game.
GAME TWO: UWA 4, UU 1
Woodham got the start in Game Two and went 6.0 innings, allowing zero earned runs.
Wilson put West Alabama on the board in the second inning with a solo home run to left field. Austin Thacker then singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored when Kaiden Jones delivered an RBI single to right field to put the Tigers ahead, 2-0.Â
In the fifth inning, Rashad Robinson doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Walburn's sacrifice fly brought Robinson home, extending the lead. Hayes Alford walked, stole second, and scored on Jack Buening's RBI single through the right side. The score moved to 4-0 in favor of West Alabama. The Bulldogs responded with an unearned run in their half, making it 4-1 after five innings.
The sixth and seventh innings saw no additional runs, with UWA maintaining its lead as Thomas Kerby registered his second save of the season to secure a 4-1 win for the Tigers.
Wilson made an impact by hitting a home run and finishing with two hits and an RBI. Woodham pitched six innings, recording seven strikeouts and allowing no earned runs. Robinson contributed with a double and scored a run, enhancing his on-base performance with a walk. Alford added a stolen base and a double, scoring one run and drawing a walk.
West Alabama will return to Tartt Field on Tuesday for a midweek matchup against Tuskegee that's set for 5:00 p.m.
