LIVINGSTON, Ala. – No. 5 West Alabama dropped the opening game of its Gulf South Conference series against No. 17 West Florida, falling 7-4 on Friday evening at Tartt Field.
The Tigers move to 29-9 overall with the loss, while the Argonauts improve to 30-9 on the season.
West Alabama collected 10 hits on the night but was unable to overcome a pair of big innings from West Florida, along with three defensive errors that proved costly.
After falling behind 1-0 in the second inning on an unearned run, the Tigers answered in the third. Layth Holiday sparked the rally with a double and later scored on a West Florida error to even the game at 1-1.
The Tigers then took their only lead of the night in the fifth inning, as Rashad Robinson delivered a solo home run to left field, giving UWA a 2-1 advantage.
West Florida responded in a big way in the sixth inning, using a three-run home run from Peyton Martin to flip the momentum and take a 4-2 lead.
The Argonauts added to their advantage in the seventh with a two-run homer from William Lybrook, extending the lead to 6-2.
West Alabama refused to go away, putting together a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Tanner Jones led off with a double, followed by an RBI double from Holiday to cut into the deficit. Hudson Walburn later added an RBI single to bring the Tigers within 6-4.
However, that would be as close as UWA would get. West Florida tacked on an insurance run in the ninth, and reliever Micky Scheetz closed the door with two scoreless innings to secure his 10th save of the season.
Robinson led the Tigers offensively, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run, two walks, and an RBI. Holiday also had a strong night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. Walburn added an RBI, while Tanner Jones contributed a double as part of the Tigers' 10-hit effort.
On the mound, Baker Green (3-2) took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, over six innings of work. Beau Bryant and Ryan Ladner combined to cover the final three innings in relief.
West Florida starter Colton Dorsey (4-2) earned the win, striking out eight over six innings, while Scheetz picked up the save.
The two teams will continue the series on Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., as West Alabama looks to bounce back and secure a key conference series victory.
